You’ve invested a lot into your home. You work hard to make it a safe haven for you and your family to reside in. That’s why it’s important to take the necessary precautions to safeguard your property from threats like fires or burglaries. Doing so not only provides peace of mind, but reduces the likelihood of damages, theft, or destruction to the place you’ve come to love so much.
Protecting your home may seem impossible, expensive, or complex, but the truth is, there are a lot of simple and affordable things you can do. Below, is a list of suggestions to consider.
Read more after the jump:
Socialize with Neighbors
Your neighbors can play an integral role in helping you to protect your home. Whether you’ve just moved to the neighborhood or you’ve lived there for years, take the time to get to know who’s living around you a bit more. When your neighbors know who you are, they are more inclined to keep an eye out on suspicious activities around the house whether you’re home or not.
Keep the Outside Clean
There are certain clues that burglars look for to choose a house to rob. One of those clues is an unkempt yard. On a weekly basis, it is recommended that you do some yard maintenance so your yard looks good and well maintained. Secure all furniture and yard tools in the shed, cut the grass, trim the trees and shrubs, and pick up any debris, old newspapers, or junk mail that may be laying around. For extra security, you may want to install a gate around the perimeter of your property and landscape lights to deter intruders.
Install a Security System
One of the easiest ways to protect your home and family is to have a security system installed. There are simple systems you can purchase from the store and install yourself, but if you want advanced protection it is best to go with the pros. They have devices complete with security cameras, motion sensors, security lights, keypads, and smart technology features allowing you to access the property remotely.
Safeguard Against Fires
Fires and gas leaks are more threats you have to worry about. To protect your property, you need to take the proper steps. This includes installing smoke detectors with carbon monoxide detection on every level of the house, using surge protectors to prevent an electrical overload, and investing in a fire extinguisher. Having your heating, cooling, and electrical systems serviced periodically will also reduce the chances of your house catching fire or leaking deadly gas.
Get a Safe for Valuables
If you have items in the home that are of significant value or hold meaning in your life you should store them in a safe. They have various size safes for you to choose from to keep everything from your birth certificate and social security cards to your jewelry and guns. Be sure to choose a combination that isn’t easy to crack.
Upgrade Windows and Doors
Sometimes locking the windows and doors isn’t enough to keep intruders out of your house. Over time, they become weak and lose effectiveness. If you have outdated windows and doors you may want to have them upgraded. Newer products have high-tech security locks which are harder to break into.
Every year thousands of homes are broken into and even more, are damaged from fires. You can’t always predict what will happen, nor can you eliminate every risk, but that doesn’t mean you do nothing. To protect both your home and your family analyze the vulnerabilities in and around your home and determine which updates are best for your protection. This keeps your property off of intruders’ radars, reduces the risk of a fire, keeps your loved ones protected, and provides you peace of mind whether your home or away.
