Our homes are our sanctuary from the chaos of the world. It’s where we raise our families and relax and unwind after a long day. A home should be a safe space, both in the figurative and literal sense.
If someone forces their way into your sanctuary, your sense of security is shattered and you will feel find it more difficult to relax and be yourself in your own home. You’ll also start to fear for your family’s safety.
According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation, in 2018, there were more than 1.2 million burglaries in the United States. While that figure has been steadily decreasing for almost a decade, nobody wants to become a statistic. Even if you have condominium insurance to protect your belongings, you can’t put a price on security and peace of mind.
Security begins with you. By following a few important pointers, you can keep your home safe from intruders and maintain your sense of security, whether you’re out or at home. Here are a few pointers to get you started:
1. Replace Old Locks
One of the most common mistakes that homeowners make is forgetting to replace old locks, especially if the property was purchased from another family. As a general rule, external door knobs and locks should be replaced for every change of ownership. You can’t be too sure about who has a copy of the old keys, even if the previous owners say that they’ve given you every key they have.
Changing the locks is easy and can go a long way in keeping your home secure. That way, you can be sure that only you and your family can gain entry into your home. For an extra layer of security, you might want to check out smart door locks so you can control access from your smartphone.
2. Always Keep the Doors Locked
Even if you live in the quiet suburbs, you need to think as if you’re smack dab in the middle of the city. Always keep your doors and windows locked, even if you’re at home. Criminals are always lurking in the shadows, simply waiting for the right time to strike. You don’t want your momentary lapse in judgment to turn into a nightmare for your entire family.
According to the U.S. Department of Justice, more burglaries take place during the day than at night. After all, it’s when most people are at school or the office, and your neighbors could easily assume that a burglar could be a gardener or a contractor at work.
3. Store Your Valuables in a Safe
Criminals only target homes they know they can get something from. If you take the time to secure all your valuables, your home becomes a less lucrative target. Make sure to store anything of value, including electronic gadgets, collectibles, antiques, and jewelry, out of sight. If possible, you also might want to buy a proper safe to keep all your valuables and documents under lock and key.
Another item you also might want to secure is your keys, especially your car keys. Many families tend to hang house keys near the front door, but an enterprising burglar can use a magnetic rod or a hook to snatch your keys out of the holder. You should also avoid keeping spares under the doormat or some other obvious hiding place. Be creative when thinking of a place to hide your spare key.
4. Don’t Announce Your Absence
Burglars are more likely to strike if they think the property is empty. That’s why you’re more at risk of being targeted if you’re going to be away on holiday. You want people to think that your home is occupied at all times. For instance, leaving a few lights on will give the appearance that someone’s at home.
You need to secure your social media accounts as well. All it takes is one vacation status, tweet, or photo to announce to the world that your home is empty. Many burglars monitor the social media accounts of their targets, so you don’t want to give them any reason to think that you’re going to be away for a while. Wait until you’ve returned from your trip before posting photos.
A Final Word!
You don’t need a full security detail to keep your home and family safe. If you adopt a proactive approach and follow a few common-sense tips, you can secure your home and prevent intruders from violating your private domain.