The following offers a range of tips to help make your home a bit more secure. You can implement them all or pick and choose what works best for your home and your family’s needs. However, before getting into the list of tips here is a look at security systems and why you should seriously think about installing one.

4 Home Security Tips to Keep your Family Home Safe

1.) Invest in Quality Security Systems

Many people are under the impression that a home security system has to be this complex and expensive thing, but that is not true. Today’s systems are quite customizable. You can pick and choose elements to meet your needs and budget. In addition, wireless options make it simple to install them yourself and get a security system that works for you. Try these Home Security Tips from DIY Network.

2.) Consider a Good Security Camera & Motion Detector

While you may not be able to afford a complete system, you should at least consider some elements. Most systems allow you to add on elements in the future, so start small. For example, get a security camera or a motion detector. Later, you can add window and door sensors, glass break sensors and more cameras and detectors.

Building your own security system keeps you in the driver’s seat. It allows you to have complete control over the security and the cost. So, it is highly recommended to at least consider a security system for your home.

3.) To Stay Safe – Change your Locks Periodically

If you have moved into a new home, change the locks. While you may have been giving the keys, you have no clue how many copies were made. The last thing you need is an old owner or someone associated with the former owner coming into your home unannounced. If you rent, just ask your landlord if it is okay. They are usually fine with it as long as you send them a copy of the keys.

Make sure you have adequate outdoor lighting. A well-lit area is not a welcome spot for a would-be criminal. They like to work under cover of darkness where nobody can see them. Ensuring you have security lights and other lighting outside your home can be a huge deterrent.

Hide any wiring outside your home. Criminals cut wires to disable phones, internet, and wired security systems. Keep this from happening by making sure all wires are hidden and secured where they cannot be easily accessed.

Don’t leave spare keys in typical spots for good home security. If you need to leave a key outside your home, make sure you do so in an unobvious way, or better yet, leave it with a trusted neighbor. Leaving a key under the mat, in the mailbox or on top of an outside light are all spots a thief will check. Don’t give them easy access to your home.

Install bars to stop sliding doors from being easily opened. Also, do this with windows. Bulk up your basic security with deadbolt locks, too. Doing these small things adds an extra layer of security that will stop a criminal.

4.) Consider Using Timers to Trick Intruders & to Keep Home Safety

Use timers on lights and other electronics. In general, most criminals are not interested in a confrontation. They want to enter a home when nobody is there. Through using timers, you can give the appearance someone is home. You can have lights turn on and off or even your television or radio. Hearing noise and seeing what is perceived to be movement can be a great deterrent.

It can be tough to keep your home safe, but you can do it. There are many things you can do, from installing a security system to putting up more outdoor lighting. You can take control and live in a safe home where you do not have to fear about someone breaking in. By taking these simple steps, you can make your home a burglar’s worst nightmare and give you and your family a wholesome peace of mind that you are safe with these home security tips.

For more home safety tips take a look at this post to change the locks on your home!

It is easy to think that the security of your property will be dealt with by the police or the Neighbourhood Watch scheme or by anyone else who cares to protect your home and its contents.

However, you are the person who needs to take control of the situation and make sure that the place is fully protected, and here are a few ideas for getting started on doing that.

Image via: William Hefner

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Look Around

Sometimes finding flaws in your home security can be as easy as walking around the place at night and looking for shady areas or potential entry points. Overgrown bushes, unlit areas and open windows are the kinds of thing which burglars will look for so you should be aware of them too. Even if you can’t spot any possible problems then you could ask at your local police station for their security assessment advice, or look online for it. A few simply little changes can make your place look a lot less attractive to potential burglars.

Get an Alarm or CCTV

Thieves tend to look for the property with the weakest security and target it. If there are, for example, 10 houses on a street and only 1 of them doesn’t have a burglar alarm then this is the one which is likely to be most at risk. Many modern security devices are inexpensive and easy to set up. By choosing a big, reputable name like ADT you will give yourself genuine peace of mind with their innovative home security cameras.

Check the Locks 

If you haven’t changed your home’s locks in quite some time then you might be using devices which are no longer the best on the market. This kind of security technology has advanced greatly in recent years and it is well worth seeing whether you can make a step up to a better model without spending too much money. You will sleep a lot better at night knowing that your doors and windows are as well protected as possible.

 Image via: Wayne Windham Architect

Be Alert

We often complain about the lack of policemen on the streets these days but that just makes it even more important to be alert and to be aware of any unusual activity near your house. You are the person who needs to take responsibility for looking after your property and part of this means checking out what is happening in the area. The CCTV camera systems we mentioned earlier will play a big part in this but you should also make the effort to pay more attention to what is happening around your house.

For more home safety tips on Stagetecture, click here.