7 Ways to Secure Your New Home
Security is key
After you have purchased a property, one of the most critical steps is ensuring it is actually safe for you and your family to live in. If the security of your new home is bad, then you are more or less constantly at risk. Now, in better neighborhoods, the situation is not that dire. But it is still not impossible for your home to be targeted by burglars or other unsavory types. So, check out these 7 ways to secure your new home and ensure your family can rest easy knowing that they are protected!
Install fire alarms
The first of the ways to secure your new home does not focus on just burglary or theft. It is meant to keep your family safe and sound through a more threatening phenomenon: fire. When you start looking for your new home, be on the lookout for those properties that already have fire alarms. If the home you choose doesn't have this amenity, you should look into having these helpful devices installed even before moving in, especially if you have young children! If the home did come with fire alarms, then you need to have them checked over. It is not uncommon for them to be somewhat faulty or not work at all in sold homes.
Put a password on your Wi-Fi
It can be somewhat frightening what a person can do to all your linked devices if they get into your home’s internet connection. They could easily access all your files, control the devices from a distance, turn them on or off, and possibly dismantle some of your security measures. One of the crucial ways to secure your new home is to put a strong password on your Internet! Make sure the password can at least actually stand up to most casual or somewhat serious hacking attempts, too. It is hard to prevent intrusion if someone is set on getting into your internet connection and has the necessary skills to do it.
Replace old locks and get simple window locks
As the data collection experts from Consumer Opinion can attest, most people insist on changing their locks when purchasing a new home. And for a good reason! You can never know who has kept a copy of the keys among the previous owner’s friends and family. This would make it so that your home is extremely vulnerable to casual theft. And in a way that would likely circumvent a lot of your security measures. More importantly, it would be best to consider putting simple locks on your windows, especially if they are a sliding variant, where you can relatively quickly open them from the outside. This is particularly important if you have lots of ground-level windows that are easily accessible.
Put in motion-sensitive outdoor lights
It is almost ironic how reluctant burglars are to stick around if the lights are on. In most cases, this means a solid chance of a confrontation. Something they are wholly unwilling to even try since it is a pretty risky move for them. Thus, motion-sensitive lights are one of the cheapest yet most effective ways to secure your new home. They lower the chances of someone testing your security systems in the first place. And they also provide a critical quality-of-life upgrade for your family. Even if you didn't manage to find the perfect location to buy a home and instead chose a somewhat riskier neighborhood, these lights would provide decent protection.
Secure your most valuable possessions
If all else fails, you want to make sure at least your most valuable possessions are safe. This is why it is an excellent idea to get a safe! You do not need to keep it hidden like they would in the movies. But it is still the wisest option to install it somewhere out of the way. A walk-in wardrobe, or a closet could work. Also, note you should have it firmly attached to the floor. Otherwise, it could simply be carried out and opened in another location.
Buy a strong home security system
Naturally, installing a strong security system is one of the best ways to enhance your new home’s security. A home security system and all the knick-knacks it encloses, including security cameras, motion detectors, door and window sensors, glass break sensors, etc., should improve the safety of your home. So, do not hesitate to spend money on this. It is a long-term investment, and it will be the most critical line of defense between your family and anyone trying to gain forceful entry into your home. If you get a suboptimal, cheaper option, it could eventually fail in a moment when you need it the most. Which, at best, means coming back to a ransacked home. And while you can always replace stolen belongings, it would be a true tragedy if someone was hurt during the burglary.
Secure your garage
A garage is one of the best features to look for in a family-friendly home. It improves your security all on its own since it lets you keep your vehicles off the street. However, if it is not adequately secured, it can often be a severe security threat. Garages tend to be easier to break into since most people forget to secure them. From there, a burglar would be able to work on opening the door connecting to your home at their leisure without fear of being seen. So, always make sure your security system extends to your garage. And it is even more important to put a very sturdy lock on your garage doors!
Always stay cautious
Now you know about the most important 7 ways to secure your new home. You might feel that you can relax and throw the issue out of your mind. However, security measures are only effective if you keep them engaged. You need to remember to lock your windows, doors, and garage and prime your security system when leaving the house. If you do not, it is the same as nullifying all your efforts into your home’s security!
