Security Experts Provide The Best Ways to Keep Your Home Secure

Thu, Aug 24, 2023 13:39 CET

Your home should always feel like a safe space – somewhere where you feel happy without the worries of intruders. Keeping your home protected doesn’t have to be a difficult task and there are many things you can do to give you some heightened peace of mind.

Security expert, Alison Peckham at MyJobQuote.co.uk has teamed up with several home security experts to create this list of the best ways to keep your home secure. Take a look at the list below.

Install a Security Alarm System

According to Emrecan Dogan, security expert and founder of Score Beyond, the first thing you need to do is invest in a robust home security system. This might include surveillance cameras, motion detectors, and door/window sensors. “These tools not only deter potential intruders but also provide you with real-time alerts and evidence should any security breaches occur”, says Dogan.

A home security system is one of the best ways to bring you peace of mind. Homes with an alarm system are around 300% less likely to be burgled than a home without one. Some security systems can be quite expensive, so make sure you shop around and choose a system that suits both your needs and your budget.

Invest in a Smart Doorbell

Smart doorbells are one of the best in modern technologies. Christina Costa, CEO of Gadget Review, says that she highly recommends a video doorbell to anyone, whether they live in a house or an apartment. “Video doorbells can help you keep a close eye on who is at your front door, and they can store video in the cloud or locally for later review”, says Costa.

“In addition to security benefits, video doorbells can allow you to interact with someone at your front door using your smartphone or tablet without needing to get up”, Costa continues. In addition, you can see when someone is at your door even when you’re not at home via an app on your phone. “I have yet to meet anyone with a video doorbell who regrets their purchase - these items are game changers for home security and peace of mind as a homeowner.”

Install Motion Detector Lighting

Tatyana Dimtrova of Fantastic Handyman suggests instead of constantly having your outdoor lighting on, install motion-activated lights around the perimeter of your property. “This is actually one of the home security solutions that have earned a significant reputation for its effectiveness. The sudden bright lights can startle potential intruders and scare them away”, says Dimtrova.

Motion-detecting lights are much better for home security compared to static lights. You will see the motion lights come on, and this is a way of alerting you that someone or something is on your property. However, static lights can also be handy. “Burglars typically prefer privacy while they’re at work and will be deterred by a well-lit property”, explains Dimtrova.

Add a Home Security Camera

You can often purchase an all-in-one security system that includes cameras. Alternatively, you can purchase them separately and include them in your current system. Cameras can help to deter burglars, helping to keep your home secure. However, if you do happen to fall subject to a burglary, the camera footage can help you get justice.

Camera footage is being shared on social media now more than ever, and it's one of the best ways to find and bring down criminals. Many homeowners enjoy the feeling of security that cameras can provide. Be sure to install the cameras close to your home's entry points. You should aim to install cameras at both the front and back entry points to your property.

Secure Garages and Sheds

Many people overlook their sheds and garages, often forgetting to lock them or keep them secure. However, many homeowners also keep some expensive valuables in these places. Things like lawnmowers, cars, motorcycles, furniture, and other possessions may be kept in garages and sheds. These are all items that are commonly stolen, so it’s important to ensure you keep these spaces secure.

You should never assume that your house is the only thing at risk on your property. Protect all of your possessions by ensuring your garages and sheds are kept closed and securely locked. In some cases, you can secure them with additional locks for extra peace of mind.

Make It Look Like Someone Is Home

Whenever you’re not at home, you should always make it look like there is someone home. Leaving a light on inside the home is one of the best ways to go about this. However, many burglars won’t think twice about breaking and entering a property with lights on. With this in mind, there are some other things you can do to make it appear as if you are at home.

Some other effective ways to make it look like you're at home include leaving a TV on, leaving a car in the driveway, having a neighbour collect your mail, and leaving a radio playing in the property. Additionally, it's a good idea to make use of timer switches for lights. Be sure to time them so that they come on and off at different times. Otherwise, a burglar may catch on that your lights are on a timer and realise that nobody is home.

Educate Your Family

“Education is a cornerstone of effective home security”, according to Emrecan Dogan, security expert and founder of Score Beyond. “Regularly educate family members about security protocols, such as locking doors and windows, setting alarms, and being cautious about sharing personal information online”, says Dogan.

When your entire family is aware of the safety and security precautions associated with your home, this will help to ensure that your home stays secure at all times. After all, you can’t expect your family members to know how to set the alarms if they haven’t been shown how to do it. You may be cautious about sharing your security codes with your children. However, this doesn’t mean that you can’t tell your children about other precautions, such as ensuring the doors and windows are locked and avoiding sharing any personal information online or with their peers.

Visibility Is Important

Visibility is one of the simplest methods of deterring burglars. “The visibility of security equipment itself functions as a robust deterrent to potential intruders”, says Michael Falls, CEO of Sabretooth Tech Group. “The knowledge that a property is under vigilant monitoring and safeguarding can dissuade criminals from even considering a burglary. These specialised devices possess the capability to identify any unauthorised entry into your residence, immediately detecting any intrusion attempts.”

Even if you don't have a home security system, you can still deter burglars by placing some security stickers around your home. Stick these in places close to entryways, such as your front gate, front door, and back door. These stickers will make it appear that your home is protected with a security system, even if it isn't.

Put Your Valuables in a Safe

Sometimes, no matter how much you try, burglars can still find their way into your home. There’s no way that you can protect absolutely everything in your home from burglars. However, it’s a good idea to put your most valuable items (whether that be things that hold sentimental value or monetary value) in a safe.

Things such as cash money, jewellery, family heirlooms, passports, and important documents are all common items that are kept in household safes. The safe should be kept locked and hidden away. It’s best to choose a heavy safe or built-in safe that can’t be taken away and broken into later. This way, you know that, no matter what, the things that are most important to you will always be secure.

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