Home security is essential to have. It not only assists in deterrence and unwanted entering on your property, but it gives us daily peace of mind. If your budget allows it, we recommend having an alarm system professionally installed and monitored by a reputable company. Not only is this the gold standard for protecting your home, but you can sometimes receive a discount on your home insurance policy. But we understand that a monitored alarm system may not be feasible for everyone. Or perhaps you already have an alarm system but would like to add additional security measures around your home. Here are five of our favorite home security tips that we think everyone should implement.
Keep your doors locked
This seems obvious, but it can be challenging to get into the habit of locking the doors behind you or going around at night before bed to make sure everything is locked up. Designating one person in the house to ensure all windows and doors are locked will help avoid confusion when it is time for bed.
Utilize outdoor motion-sensing lights
Outdoor motion lights are an affordable option to alert you to movement around your house or on your property. You can find a variety of options at your local home improvement retailer. They are also straightforward to install yourself, making it a great, budget-friendly DIY home security option.
Keep your indoor lights and devices on timers
You can purchase timer devices that let you schedule your lamps, or even a radio or television, to turn on or off when you want. Many people use this option while they are at work, or even on a trip, to give the appearance that someone is in the home. Often, a potential intruder will move on if they believe there is someone home.
Leverage a smart home network
You can put together a network of your cameras that are not monitored by a company but by you. This is a more affordable option that is utilized by many. The cool thing about many of these systems is you can typically purchase a small package and add on more cameras as your budget allows. At some point, you will want to have most of the exterior of your home covered so you can check-in when you have motion alerts. Just be sure to do some research on the different brands. You will want to pay attention to how they are powered, what kind of battery life do they have, ease of use, and if you can store recorded footage.
Give the appearance of home security
The goal is to give anyone considering criminal trespass a reason to pass over your home. You can do this in a variety of ways. Some people use signs that indicated they have an alarm system or a guard dog (even if they do not). Others even go so far as to place dog toys visibly in their yard.
We hope these tips help as you work to beef up your home security this year. If you need a moving and storage company that will provide security for your belongings, then give 1-800-PACK-RAT a call! Our portable storage containers are all-steel and weatherproof. They are specifically designed to keep your stuff secure, whether making a local or long-distance move or just needing storage. Call today or go online to see how we can help make moving and storage simple for you!