9 simple ways you can make your home more secure

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Yes decorating and making your house feel like a home is certainly more fun and satisfying than looking at security measures, however, it is essential for you to make sure your home is safe and secure. Although we never think that it will happen, it is better to be prepared for that just in case scenario. 

Look after your doors 

Did you know that 34% of burglars enter someone home through the front door? Scary right? Look after all your doors and don’t helpt hem out. You need to make sure that the frames are strong, you can’t reach through the mail slot to a lock, and that the hinges are protected. If you are moving into a new home, it’s always best to change the locks. You should think about adding some of the following: 

• Add a SMART doorbell with video capabilities
• Add a deadbolt
• Include a spyhole 
• Reinforce any sliding doors and lock your windows

Turn on the lights 

Burglars, vandals, and other criminals certainly don’t like to be put in the spotlight. Therefore a simple deterrent is outdoor lighting. Add them to the front and the back of your home, near your garage, other outdoor building, and along any walkways. As well as making your home less likely to be targetted, it also makes it safer if you are outside at night. 

Install some security cameras

CCTV is a great way to deter someone from trespassing or stealing from off of your property. And if you have any doubts because of the stories of footage not been good enough, think about using cameras with home thermal screening. The important things to think about when you are installing security cameras is the quality of the footage as well as the reliability of the reactions. You should think about including some of these features: 

• Night Visions 
• Two-way talking
• Cloud storage
• Motion detection
• Thermal screening
• Weatherproofing for outdoors

Secure your windows

An unsecured window can be an easy point of entry for burglars. Make sure that your windows can’t be easily accessed by an intruder. A few ways in which you can secure your windows include:

• Closing windows whenever you’re not at home
• Installing locks on the inside of your windows
• Looking into security screens for windows if your home is likely to be abandoned for a while
• Installing shutters to make access through windows more difficult
• Repairing any window damage (such as broken panes or loose hinges)

Don’t forget about your garage 

Your garage is an area that many thieve see as an easy way to enter someone home if it attached to your home. They also see it as easy picking if it not as the doors are never as secure as your front door. You will usually plenty of decent stuff in your garage including tools, your car, and bikes. One thing that you want to avoid is keeping your car keys downstairs, especially if your home is attached to your garage. 

Look at your Wi-Fi network

Your home wireless network is a gateway to your financial and personal information, and leave your home prone to vulnerability if you use home automation. If you have connected any of your smart home gadgets to your Wi-Fi network you may leave your home open to criminals. There are some ways that you can make yourself less vulnerable though, try some of the following: 

• Use a protective firewall 
• Enable WPA (Wi-Fi Protected Access) or WPA2 encryption
• Hide your network 
• Rename your network 
• Secure your router 
• Install antivirus and anti-malware protection.
• Have strong passwords and never include personal passwords 

You should also think about protecting your kids when they access the internet. Whether it’s for homework or fun, it’s important to teach them how to stay safe online. You can keep them safe from cyber-bullies and online predators by using a parental control application, software package, or router. They can even help you to minimise screen time. 

Limit any hiding places

You may like the trees and shrubs in your garden, however, they can give thieves a nice little hideaway.  Try to keep any trees or shrubs trimmed and make sure that there are none near to your home that could be used as a place for cover. You are better off choosing smaller plants, bushes, and flowers. If you have any large trees near the windows, it’s best to make sure you add extra protection to them. Some top tips to stick to include: 

• Keeping Gates, outdoor building, and shed locked 
• Install an outdoor security camera in hidden areas
• Always store your adders and stools out of the garden
• Add security stickers and signs
• Never leave expensive items out in your garden, even in the summer

Use a safe 

If at any time someone manages to get past other security measures you have in place, it is important for you to make sure your valuables are kept secure and protected. If you have an in-home depository for all your valuables from vital documents such as passports and birth certificates though to jewellery. It needs to be safe that burglars can’t just pick up and walk away with. 

Consider home automation 

Although home automation can become compromised if your Wi-Fi isn’t secure, it’s still something that can help your home to be secure. Security is one of the top reasons people have started to turn their home into a Smart Home. Home automation can enable you to remotely or on schedule control your lights, door locks, smoke alarms, security cameras, and other safety devices you can even get real-time alerts if there is anything suspicious allowing you to be able to react quickly and protect your home. 

Some of the most popular ways that are been introduced include: 

• Scheduling your TV and lights to come on and off when you are away from your home 
• Install a two-way Smart doorbell 
• Instant video feeds when anyone approached your door or driveway 
• Check your house alarms such as CO alarm or smoke detector on your phone

Making your home more secure doesn’t need to a chore with these simple tips above. They are all great ways to get started, even if you only use a few, it’s about finding the right combination that works for your home. Think about the risk that is most apparent for your home, and make a plan to get them all ticked off at a later date.

Do you have any other security tips that you can share in the comments?