Keeping your home and family safe should be a top priority. While no home is 100% burglar-proof, there are simple yet effective safety precautions you can take to dramatically reduce the risk of a break-in or accident in your house.
In this article, we will cover the 5 most important home safety precautions that every homeowner should implement. Following these tips will help keep your house secure, your family safe, and give you peace of mind.
1. Install a Home Security System
The first and most critical step for home safety is installing a reliable home security system. A good security system acts as an active deterrent and gives you 24/7 monitoring and alarm notifications if an intruder tries to enter your home.
There are many types of home security systems on the market, ranging from DIY kits to professionally installed and monitored systems. When choosing a system, look for the following features:
Entry sensors on all doors and windows
These detect when a door or window is opened and trigger the alarm. Having comprehensive coverage of entry points is key.
Motion sensors
Motion detectors in key interior spaces will sense movement and sound the alarm if an intruder enters. Position them along pathways and near valuables.
Security cameras
Security cameras provide visual verification of any activity happening inside or outside the home. They add an extra layer of protection and record video evidence if an intrusion occurs.
Smoke and fire sensors
These critical sensors protect your family by detecting smoke or excessive heat and triggering the alarm. They enable early fire detection day or night.
Panic buttons
Allow you to manually trigger the alarm if you need help. They are useful in emergencies like a home invasion or medical crisis.
Professional monitoring
A monitoring service will receive alarm alerts and notify the police on your behalf. This ensures a rapid law enforcement response.
Installing a robust security system tailored to your home layout offers reliable 24/7 protection and rapid notification of any unauthorized entry attempts. It’s one of the best investments you can make to keep your home safe.
2. Secure all entry points
Even the best security system can’t protect an inadequately secured home. You need to physically safeguard all possible entry points into your house to prevent easy access by intruders.
Here are some key tips to properly secure entry points:
Use solid core or metal doors
Replace hollow core exterior doors with solid wood or metal doors. Solid doors are stronger and more resistant to forceful entry.
Install 4 inch long screws in strike plate
Use long screws to reinforce the door frame. This prevents the door from being kicked in or busted open.
Add deadbolt locks
Deadbolt locks provide stronger security than regular spring locks. Ensure exterior doors have both spring and deadbolt locks.
Secure sliding glass doors
Install strong lock bars, pin locks or security film on sliding doors to prevent them from being forced open or shattered.
Secure windows
Add secondary locks, pins, or dowels to prevent windows from opening wide enough for a person to enter. Windows security film also enhances strength.
Garage door
If the garage door opener is compromised, intruders can access your home. Use an encrypted opener and lock the door between garage and home.
Taking time to methodically analyze and improve the security of all exterior entry points will minimize weak spots that can be exploited by intruders. Don’t let an open window or flimsy door put your home at risk.
3. Control access with smart locks
Traditional keyed locks have a major flaw – the keys can be stolen, copied, and used to later access your home. Smart locks provide advanced access control through key codes or mobile apps, with features like customizable virtual keys and access schedules.
Here are key benefits of smart locks for home security:
No copied keys
You don’t have to worry about copied keys. Once a code is erased or virtual key deactivated, that person can no longer enter.
Activity tracking
Review access logs to see who has entered and when. Useful for understanding patterns and unauthorized access.
Virtual keys
Grant temporary virtual keys with custom access times. Perfect for service providers, guests, and family members.
Remote access
Lock and unlock from your smartphone, no matter where you are. Great for letting in guests when you’re out.
Auto-lock
Locks automatically after a certain time so you don’t have to wonder if you forgot to lock up.
For maximum convenience and control over who can access your home, smart locks with app integration are a wise investment.
4. Install exterior lighting
Outdoor lighting is an invaluable home safety precaution. Well-lit exterors at nighttime deter prowlers and intruders who prefer to operate under the cover of darkness.
Follow these tips for exterior lighting:
Illuminate all entry points
Install motion-activated lights overlooking exterior doors and potential areas of entry like windows or the backyard.
Choose LED bulbs
LEDs are economical, long-lasting, and bright. Their white light provides excellent visibility.
Add pathway lighting
Guide visitors and illuminate potential hazards with low-voltage path lights and solar landscape lights.
Include corner flood lights
Flood lights placed at corners of the home eliminate dark pockets around the exterior.
Use dusk-to-dawn fixtures
These convenient lights operate automatically from dusk until dawn. Place them high to illuminate large areas.
Strategically placed lighting removes the camouflage of darkness for home intruders while also making your property safer for you and visitors at night. Outdoor lighting provides 24/7 security.
5. Create the illusion of occupancy
When away on vacation, your empty home can be a target for thieves. That’s why it’s critical to create the illusion of occupancy so potential intruders believe someone is home.
Here are tips to make your home look lived-in:
Install smart bulbs
Program smart bulbs to turn on and off automatically in different rooms at different times, simulating natural usage.
Use light timers
Lamp, television, and light timers give the impression someone is home. Vary the on/off times.
Adjust blinds
Partially close blinds and periodically alter the position of blinds/curtains. Closed blinds signal vacancy.
Hold mail/deliveries
Stop mail and newspaper delivery or ask a neighbor to collect them daily so they don’t pile up.
Ask a neighbor to park in the driveway
Periodically parking a neighbor’s car in your driveway gives the impression of someone coming and going.
Enable smart home simulation
If you have a smart home hub, use its away mode features to simulate occupancy automatically.
Maintaining the illusion of an occupied home is one of the most powerful deterrents. Would-be intruders look for signs like piled up newspapers that signal an empty house. Removing those clues keeps your home safe.
Summary
Safeguarding your home requires proactive preparation and vigilant security habits. Implementing these top 5 home safety precautions gives you 24/7 protection:
- Install a robust home security system with comprehensive sensors, alarms, and monitoring.
- Physically secure all exterior entry points like doors and windows.
- Control access with smart locks for improved convenience and security.
- Illuminate exterior areas with strategically placed lighting.
- Use lights and other tricks to simulate occupancy when away.
Stay alert to new technologies that can make your home even more secure. Take a proactive stance on home safety to keep your family, belongings, and house protected. A secure home provides peace of mind and lets you enjoy life knowing essential precautions are in place
