Our homes are one of the most important things in our lives. This is where you keep your essential possessions and those closest to you. However, your house could fall victim to burglars, the elements, or even yourself.
So, what can you do to make sure your home is as safe as it can be for everyone inside? Here are some easy ways to protect your home and keep you, your family, and your treasured items safe.
1. Alarm
Installing an alarm in your house will give you peace of mind, especially if you’re away from home for extended periods of time. There are many types of alarms, you can buy. From standard ones that make a loud noise if the property is broken into, to state-of-the-art smart alarms, they can be monitored via laptop, or phone, no matter where you are in the world.
Top range alarm packages even come with security cameras. These can be monitored from a computer remotely. If something, or someone, triggers an alarm, you get an alert and have a live view of what’s going on in your property.
Some alarms come with full emergency monitoring systems, which alert local police and fire departments if there’s a break-in while you aren’t there. This is a very convenient extra!
2. Security Doors
A sturdy impenetrable door makes your house less likely to be attacked by criminals. These kinds of doors are made from tempered glass and hardened steel. Nothing is getting through that; you’ll be happy to hear. They are also fitted with heavy-duty locks, usually made from brass.
Don’t like the sound of that? Don’t worry! These days security doors don’t make your home look like a prison or a fort. These types of doors are stylish and are designed to make places look even more appealing and inviting.
3. Get a Dog
Dogs make great burglar deterrents. As much as they may drive your neighbors crazy, a barking dog will make most criminals think twice about even entering your property.
Of course, a big ferocious looking animal would be the preferred choice, but little yappy dogs can also cause pain if they bite. This means you can opt for your favorite breed and still be well protected.
Remember, though, owning a dog is like having an extra child. As well as protecting your home, they also need to be taken care of. Please don’t just get one as a security device, if you aren’t able to look after it.
4. Fake Security
Maybe you don’t want to get a dog. That’s ok. You can “fake” that you have one in several ways. You want any intended criminal to think your place is a risky option, and choose another property in your street.
The simplest way is to get a ‘beware of the dog’ sign. Just because an intended burglar can’t see the animal, doesn’t mean it isn’t lurking somewhere.
A sneakier way is to have speakers connected to remote sensors. That way, when a trespasser activates it, a barking sound comes out. This works exceptionally well at night. They’re not going to risk that there isn’t a dog about to charge at them.
Another form of fake security is to install a box with a flashing red light in it, near the front door. From a distance, this looks like it could be a camera, a great way to give a burglar a chance to think again before entering.
5. Join Neighborhood Watch
In many communities, neighbors get together to help each other out. If you all work together and watch each others’ homes, you can get a jump on any suspicious activities.
For example, if you’re going away for an extended time, ask the people next door to collect your mail for you. An overflowing mailbox is an open invitation for any would-be thief.
If you have a great relationship with them, you could even give them a key and ask them to turn lights on and off randomly to make your place look ‘lived in’ while you aren’t there.
6. Waterproof Paint
Where you live doesn’t just need to be protected from people, it needs to be protected from mother nature too. Sometimes we can experience intense storms, and that much water can slowly erode your home. By waterproofing the exterior, you’re extending the life of your house.
The type of waterproof paint you need will depend on what your house is made of. Masonry paint, for example, is excellent for stones, cement, and bricks, while acrylic paint is better for wood and clay. You can even use epoxy paint for your swimming pool or driveway.
7. Fly Screens
It isn’t just the elements that can attack your home. Insects often love to seek sanctuary inside your house. During the summer months, when you want to open the doors to let fresh air through, you also run the risk of letting these pests in.
Installing fly screens on the doors and even some windows will allow you to keep the main entrance open, but protect yourself from tiny unwanted intruders.
8. Insurance
Even if your house is fully protected, if a burglar wants to get in, they might still find away. If something happens, you’re best to be insured. The people at Brokerlink, working in Toronto home insurance say that with this kind of protection, it’ll help you sleep at night.
Remember, there are two types of insurance. Home Insurance protects the building itself, while contents insurance covers everything inside the house. Combining the two usually makes for the best protection.
Feel Comfortable in Your Home
Why not take a little more care in looking after where you live. To protect yourself from theft, install an alarm and a security door, or get a dog (fake or the real deal). When mother nature wants to attack you, get your house painted with special waterproof paint and install fly screens. Finally, make sure you get adequate insurance to cover anything that may go wrong, and you’re all set!
