Home should be a sanctuary, where you and your family feel protected. However, with risks such as package theft and break-ins becoming increasingly common, protecting one’s home has never been more crucial. A home’s security system does not only have to serve as a deterrent for thieves, but also needs to allow the homeowner to rest easy, be it during their presence or absence in the home. There is no denying that a good security system creates a safe environment.
And while we are at it, let’s talk about something a lot of homeowners tend to ignore. A single fortification cannot serve all purposes. Safety is created through a combination of physical barriers, modern-day technology, and good planning. This guide aims to delve deeper into ways to guard your home using these interlaced layers.
Physical Security Measures
A home’s security starts with physical barriers and these tried-and-true measures have remained over the centuries as the first line of defense. Windows, gates, and any aperture into the house can be used for physical security.
Invest in High-Quality Locks
Another common mistake that a lot of us tend to overlook is that all locks should be treated equally. Padlocks, locking pins, and door catches are some examples of the old systems that have newer works for them. These have technology such as electronic access control.
Make sure to look out for deadbolts offering high resistance to lock picking, ansi grade one with a better form of mortise locks on doors that are exposed to the outside are the best options available these days. With the introduction of smart technology, keyless entry has made its way into the digitized folder. Also consider swapping bolts for level 4 locks that don’t even require provisions for keys.
Best of all they cannot be picked, have a higher level of strength under forced entry, and do not possess any dangerous sharp edges.
Make sure you secure both auxiliary windows and sliding doors. It is important to remember the points mentioned in this section as they are normally neglected by many and these devices are simple to use. Such devices include pin locks or sliding bolts that enhance security more than expected.
Reinforce Door and Frame
The best lock will not be of added advantage if the door can be easily kicked down. The simple doors can be reinforced with strike plates and cables of metal, wood, or fiberglass can replace them with solid core doors. Also, reinforced door frames increase security because they absorb and distribute force which makes forced entry nearly impossible.
Pro Insight: Use peepholes or wide angle viewers which enable the user to have a view of the outside before opening the door.
Improve Window Security
Windows are usually a burglar’s primary point of entry. Improve the security of your windows by installing locks and using thicker glass such as theft-resistant laminated glass which keeps it’s shape even when shattered. Add window security films that make it diffficult for burglars to break the glass and gives time for emergency services to respond.
Bonus Tip: Place them where they can be easily seen in areas such as the basement to enable people to see the articles which deter intruders.
Protection through Modern Technology
Using physical devices is helpful, but the addition of new technologies greatly increases your home security. Smart gadgets and technological solutions improve the monitoring and security of the property in an easier, more effective, and scalable way.
Smart Alarms for Instant Notification
Smart alarm systems enable more than just obnoxious sounding security. integ grated smart alarms can now be connected to your phone and will notify you in real-time if any breaches occur. You can get timely updates when your alarms are triggered, no matter where you are, if the systems installed are properly integrated.
Look for features like:
• Smart mobile access
• 24/7 monitoring service
• smart home compatibility with Alexa or google assist
Surveillance Cameras
Modern cameras allow real-time monitoring of your property and greatly discourage thieves and burglars from attempting to intrude into homes without being seen. For outdoor use, cameras should be weatherproof, have High Definition video, night vision, and wide angle view. Added features such as motion activated recording and storage in the cloud allow you the assurance that you will not miss any important activities.
Consider using small stealthy cameras for indoor surveillance. They can be used to monitor hallways or entrances, and even valuables kept in the house.
Motion Sensors and Doorbell Cameras
Once a person nears your property, motion sensors can activate cameras, lights, and even alarms. These not only prevent suspicious behavior from occurring, but also assist when arriving home after dark.
For instance, two-way communication is possible with visitors through smartphones via video doorbells, which makes it seem like someone is at home all the time. An example is the Ring or Google Class Doorbell.
Key Insight: Ensure you perform tech maintenance regularly by checking electronics and updating software so that loopholes in security systems do not exist.
Smart Planning for a Safer Tomorrow
Every security feature should go hand in hand with practical planning and evaluation of the scenario. Simple steps can go a long way when it comes to improving security and being involved with the community.
Conduct a Home Security Assessment
Look at your property for places that you cannot easily secure. If your door hinges are mounted from the outside, can they be reached from the other side of an easily climbed fence? Spotting these gaps is fundamental in developing your security strategies. If you are lost at the beginning, there are many home security companies that offer professional assessments.
Join or Start a Neighborhood Watch Program
The work done to prevent crime is the most effective when done in groups. Get together with your surrounding people to design a neighborhood watch group. This would not only improve the overall safety but would help to strengthen community ties.
Care Minimally When Shrub Trimming
Burglars are prevalent in places where they can hide without notice. Ensure that bushes and shrubs are trimmed well, especially those surrounding windows and doors. To add an extra offense, plant thorny bushes beneath windows on the first floor.
Pro Tip: motion-activated lights work best to ward off unwanted visitors, adding them to porches, driveways, and walkways increases the efficiency.
Create Layers In Security Systems
The strongest home protection comes from layering multiple approaches. Every different aspect caters to a different of weakness while complementing another. This is the workflow:
• Layer 1 – Physical Barriers: high quality locks and reinforced doors act as the first point of intrusion.
• Layer 2 – The newest methods: smart alarms and motion detectors act as real time alerts to augment physical barriers, providing surveillance dojo.
• Layer 3 – Tactical foresight: the most intelligent methods such as community outreach, lights, and landscaping alongside security measures spelled ensure precautions bust the smartest of burglars.
Providing such a mix creates a system which increases the difficulty of gaining access unseen incredibly.
Achieving The Best Peace Of Mind
Tackling a home security issue doesn’t need to be overly complex and annoying. Not only can you get help-oriented solutions for tackling security issues, using logic and technology promises to ease up your worries.
Taking measures for home protection doesn’t have to be extreme, but rather perpetual. Your family, property and all other important materials can safely be kept without the anxiety of thieves.
Upgrading your home’s security features improves the safety and comfortableness of it as well.
