5 Practical Home Security Tips You Can Use Today

5 Practical Home Security Tips You Can Use Today

It's almost unthinkable now that anyone would willingly not prioritize the safety and security of their homes.

It seems obvious that the moment you move into a new home, rented or owned, the first thing you should be doing is having new locks installed and getting a home security system.

But fear not, there are defenses we can put up to increase the security of our home. Some of these defenses we might have to buy or have installed but there are simple ones we can learn to do daily and make a habit out of it to ensure that we're guarding our property and our loved ones against possible attacks.

Here are some practical home security tips you can already use today:

No.1 - Secure Doors

If there was ever a guide book at home safety tips, securing doors would be the first chapter.

Not many people may know this, but not all robbery break-ins are forced entry.

It is quite common for people to forget to lock their doors at night or when they leave and an observant criminal can take full advantage of.

Securing doors should be a habit by everyone, no matter what type of community or building you live in. Getting a deadbolt installed also increases the resiliency of your door against forced entry. Door hinges should also not be visible from the outside.

No.2 - Secure Windows

The next thing to contend with home security would be securing windows.

Next to doors, windows are the next likely entry points into your house. They can be easily jimmied open or certain windows are away from street view making them ideal access points into the dwelling.

As a general rule, installing a good lock and setting up an alarm system is always a good idea in securing windows. A burglar-resistant glass can also be installed to prevent anyone from breaking the glass and gaining entry.

No.3 - Garage Security

The garage presents a different kind of challenge when it comes to making it burglar-proof. Burglars observe garages to know if someone is present at home or not. Valuables items are also stored in the garage which can be tempting for thieves.

Make sure garage windows are tinted or frosted, so people can't look through to see if your car is gone or not.

Garage doors should always be close and lock at all times. Install a peephole in the door of the garage to your house so you can check to see what's going on without opening the door.

For easy monitoring, spy camera inside garages is invaluable and practical.

No.4 - Make it Appear Occupied

Burglars are keen observers. They read the news to see who might be leaving for a wedding or a funeral. They stake out houses for signs of someone being out of town.

One way to prevent them from targeting your home is if you make it appear like someone's home even when you're not.

You can do this by getting a lights timer or TV timer installed. Set it up so lights turn on automatically at night or for the TV to turn on so it looks like someone is home watching.

No.5 - Trim Shrubs

They might increase the curb appeal of homes but they are the perfect cover for burglars when trying to break in. Shrubs and bushes that adorn homes should be regularly trimmed so as not to obscure windows and access points. Trees with branches the reach towards the house should be cut back a few feet as well.

With the amount of criminal activity going on and with burglars and thieves getting bolder and bolder with their attempts at breaking into homes, being a victim of burglary or a break-in would almost seem like a lapse in judgment on your part.