5 Basic Home Security Tips You Can Already Use Today

5 Basic Home Security Tips You Can Already Use Today

A house with no security system is like a mythological creature - it's something that you really want but you know it doesn't exist.

All homeowners should be prioritizing their safety and security, whether they have just bought a house or whether they have been living in the same place for a decade.

There are many defenses that you can put up to ensure that our families' lives are in safe hands and some of them are actually quite simple.

Here are 5 home security tips that you can start using today:

1. Secure doors

Securing doors is probably the first safety measure that you should take.

Not all robberies are forced entry and many people forget to lock their doors at night. Make sure that your door is bolted properly into the wall and that the lock doesn't get stuck. Door hinges should not be visible from the outside - this is basically an invitation for robbers to enter the house.

Getting a deadbolt installed also increases security and stability of your door. If you have just moved into a new house, ensure that you have the locks changed.

2. Secure windows

Once you have secured you doors, the next important step is to secure the windows.

Robbers are likely to enter a home through a window - be it open or closed. They can easily be opened and if the windows are faced away from the street, robbers feel more confident to enter.

Installing a good lock and setting up an alarm system is always a good idea to ensure the windows are secure. You can also install burglar-resistant glass to prevent anyone from gaining entry and breaking the glass. :)

Pair this with burglar bars and you are good to go.

3. Make it seem like someone is at home

This is the oldest trick in the book.

Robbers have been known to watch houses when people are leaving for the weekend or going on a prolonged vacation. They wait for someone to go out of town and then they strike.

One way to prevent them from getting inside is to make it seem like someone is at home. Get a lights and TV timer installed and set it to go on and off at certain times during the day.

This way it looks like there is life in an empty home.

4. Trim shrubs

This is something we don't always think of and it might make some homeowners sad as it boosts curb appeal.

Trimming the shrubs, however, might just eliminate a hiding place for robbers. Trees with branches that reach toward the house should also be trimmed, so that the robbers don't have a red carpet waiting for their arrival.

5. Garage security

If a robber is feeling really confident, he can choose to raid the garage. Many people keep valuable tools there that robbers can sell for money and, of course, they can have a go at stealing your car.

So, ensure that your garage windows are tinted or frosted so that robbers can't see your car. This way they won't know whether you are home or not.

Garage doors should always be locked at all times. Install a peephole in the door of the garage to your house so you can see what is going on without opening the door. Spy cameras in garages have also proved to work quite well.

Conclusion

The amount of criminal activity in South Africa doesn't seem to subside nor will it ever stop. The element of danger will always be there and it is therefore our responsibility to protect ourselves. In saying that, the above home security tips are not there to make your home absolutely burglar-roof, but merely to improve your home security and reduce the likelihood of your home becoming an easy target.