With a burglary occurring around every 20 seconds in the US, it is more important than ever that you keep your family home safe and secure. Whether you have recently moved and want to install the relevant security features or you are concerned about the welfare of your family and want to update the security measures you currently have in place, there are many different ways that you can ensure your family remains safe in their home. While it is often easy to neglect your home security, by making a few changes and being aware of some of the top security tips, you can ensure that your home is a safe environment that all of the family can feel relaxed in. Therefore, we have put together some helpful tips and advice on how to stay safe and keep your family home secure.
Check Your Doors
While it is often easy to forget to lock the door and windows behind you, especially in the summer months, around 30 percent of burglars gain entry by strolling in the front door. Locking your exterior doors may sound like a pretty obvious security measure, but often the most obvious of things are the ones we forget. It is important that all the doors in your house are strong and preferably double-glazed, as wooden frames are easy to break down and gain entry through. You should check the hinges on your door frames regularly so that you know if any of them have started to become weak or rot away. Even if you are sure that you locked all the windows and doors when you came home, you should double check that they are all locked before you go to bed at night.
Install a Security System
Many people update their family home security by installing a security system to both prevent potential break-ins, while also giving them peace of mind that they will be alerted to anyone trying to get into their homes. If a burglar can see that you have a security system installed, then they will likely think twice about breaking into your home. If you decide to install a security system, you should shop around for the best security system available and be sure to regularly change the security code so that it can’t be guessed easily.
Secure Garage and Sheds
It is also common for burglars to gain access to your family home through sheds and garages that aren’t secure. If you have a garage that leads into the rest of the house, you should be extra careful to ensure that it has a deadbolt in place to stop anyone unwanted gaining access. Similarly, many of us keep valuable items in garages, such as cars and gardening equipment, so if you want your belongings to remain safe then it is important that your home security includes all buildings on your property.
Put Away Any Keys
It is important that you don’t leave any keys out in plain sight so that a burglar could be enticed by them. Many burglary victims have woken up in the morning to find their car keys missing and their car stolen, so be sure to secure any keys in a safe place that is out of sight. Also, never leave your keys in your car, even if you’re just popping inside for a moment.
Install Outside Lighting
A great way to secure your family home is to install outdoor security lights so you know about anyone who approaches your house. This is not only a great way to make any unwanted visitors known to you but it also protects you and your children by supplying light when coming home in the dark. Security lights can detect motion, so if a burglar does try to break in they will have the beam of an outdoor light bringing attention to their actions.
Social Media
If you plan to go away, it is important that you don’t advertise the emptiness and vulnerability of your house on social media. Many people have found that they have advertised their property to potential break ins by showing their vacation snaps on their Facebook page. Therefore, you should keep all vacation pictures away from social media until after your return home.
It is crucial that you take these tips and advice on board if you want to keep your family safe – updating and installing home security measures is what your family home requires.
