Make your home more secure
A home should be a place of comfort and security. But homes can be targeted by thieves who are eager to make off with people’s hard-earned possessions.
Securing a home isn’t about making it an impenetrable fortress; it involves layers of deterrence that compel burglars to move on to an easier opportunity. ADT says the average thief takes less than 12 minutes to burglarize a home, and most thieves can use screwdrivers, pliers, and hammers to enter a property. By addressing the vulnerabilities of a home and making some changes, homeowners can beef up security in no time.
• Upgrade locks. The majority of burglars enter a home through front or back doors. Strengthening these access points is one of the most effective upgrades homeowners can make. Most security experts suggest installing an ANSI Grade 1 or Grade 2 deadbolt with a minimum one-inch throw bolt, as standard spring-latch locks are easy to bypass. Also, a heavy-duty lock is ineffective if the surrounding door frame is weak. Replacing short screws on door plate strikes with 3-inch hardened steel screws that drive into the wall’s underlying studs is much more secure.
• Mind sliding doors. Glass sliding patio doors let lots of light in and offer easy access to decks and yards. Yet, they are notoriously easy to force open, according to Boss Security Screens. This can be remedied by placing an adjustable security bar or a heavy wooden dowel in the interior track. Adding shatter-resistant security film to glass panes also beefs up security.
• Stop blind spots. Thieves prefer to work in the dark or out of sight of the street and neighbors. Strategic lighting and landscape management will remove blind spots. Homeowners can trim shrubs and bushes below window height and cut tree branches so that the home is not concealed. Motion-activated floodlights positioned eight to 10 feet off the ground can light up driveways and pathways. LED or solar-powered landscape lighting will brighten up dark perimeter corners.
• Use home security technology. Modern smart home devices can serve as deterrents to burglars. Exterior cameras and video doorbells will capture clear facial features and let thieves know they are being watched. Smart plugs or bulbs can be programmed to turn on and off at various times to simulate an active household. Also, wireless contact sensors installed on ground-floor windows and secondary entry doors will send instant smartphone alerts if an entry point opens.
• Lock up. One of the best ways to make a home more secure is to be mindful of locking up each time when leaving the house. It seems simple, but homeowners should always lock doors and windows, as well as the garage, even when stepping out for a short errand. Never leave an automatic garage door remote exposed in a car parked outside, either.
Making a home more secure takes a little effort, but it will be paid back with an added sense of security and comfort.