Home security equals peace of mind. But let’s be honest: Have you inspected your home’s security measures recently? If you’re like most of us, the answer is probably no. We usually don’t really think much about home security beyond locking our doors and windows until we—or someone we know—are victimized. If you haven’t given much thought to your home’s security, now might be a good time to do a quick security checkup. Here’s a checklist of basic home security measures I recommend for all homeowners:
- Check the locks on all of your doors to make sure they are in good working order. This means deadbolts on all of the doors. If there is a section of glass on or near the door that can be broken, the interior side of the deadbolt should have a keyhole instead of a latch (this is called a double-cylinder deadbolt). If not, replace them immediately.
- Install a peephole on your front door. Better yet, install a doorbell camera that you can monitor remotely.
- Don’t hide spare keys around your home’s exterior. Give your spare to a trusted friend of family member instead.
- Always keep your garage doors shut, and the door to the garage locked.
- Install motion-activated floodlights around the exterior of your home.
- Keep the areas around doors and under windows clear of landscaping.
- Cameras are cheap these days! Install a camera system that you can monitor remotely. These come in a wide variety of quality and price points, but even the more modest systems can be effective if installed properly.
- Always maintain a working landline for emergencies. This will ensure faster emergency response services, as the dispatcher can trace the number to your home. This is especially useful when you are unable to communicate verbally with the dispatcher.
- Think about installing a home security system. There are a wide variety of companies that provide this service, as well as many ‘smart’ self-install systems.
- When you’re away on vacation, make sure someone is collecting your mail, set up lights on timers so it appears there are people home. Or better yet, have someone stay at your house!
The key to your home’s security is that it makes practical sense. Think about it this way: If you were going to break into your home, how would you do it? In addition to making sure that all doors and windows are locked and secured I would suggest, at the very least, to install: cameras covering the exterior of the property, and door/window sensors at ground level.
One more thing to keep in mind: No matter how much security you install in and around your home, it doesn’t do much good if you don’t use it! Always keep your doors locked whenever practical, along with easily-accessible windows. If you have a security system, activate it. If you’re using ‘Smart’ technology, ensure it is functioning properly on a regular basis.
Keeping up on home security will help you rest easier and enjoy your home. These days, it’s a small investment for such a valuable commodity.
If you’d like more information on home security, or recommendations on specific products/services, please feel free to write me below anytime.
Happy Holidays!
Lou Sagatov, Realtor®
571-305-2405