Are you worried about the security of your home and keeping your family safe? Well, you’re certainly not alone. While statistics suggest that violent crimes are down, petty crimes such as theft have been steadily on the rise. That’s why you need to make sure that your home is protected from any potential threats. There are numerous steps that you can take here. However, it’s common for certain security issues to be overlooked completely. Here are some of the possible dangers to your home that you do need to keep in the back of your mind.
Your Doors
The doors in your home are often overlooked as a security threat because it’s so obvious. Perhaps it’s too obvious. Unfortunately, we often assume that criminals are going to go to great lengths to break into our home. While this can be the case, they will often start by trying the front door. There’s a problem here because research suggests between 5 and 20% of people leave their front door unlocked, particularly when they are in. While this is a nice idea and it suggests that people feel safe it does leave something of an open point for criminals to go through.
Now, you might think that criminals are not going to break into your home in the middle of the day. Don’t be so sure though really because this is when you would least expect it. Remember, they don’t have to stick around. They could walk in, grab a set of keys or a spare key, and walk away before coming back later. Would you really know if one of your many keys went missing? We’re not so sure.
It’s also possible that your front entry doors have seen better days. If that’s the case, then you should think about replacing them sooner rather than later. Replacing your doors with Provia entry doors or a similar option could provide the security and the peace of mind that you need.
Alternatively, it could be an issue that has existed for years. When you moved into your home, did you change the locks? If not, then there’s a strong chance that the previous owners can still access your property and gain entry to your home. There have been cases where an old owner has returned to steal from the new buyer. That’s definitely an issue that you want to avoid.
Be aware that it’s not just about the front door either. You should think about the garage door too. If your garage door isn’t locked down tight, then it’s possible that a criminal will be able to enter. They could get something like a ladder and find a different point of entry to your home.
While you might assume that someone using a ladder on the exterior of your home would be reported, this may not be the case. Neighbors could assume that you are simply completing work on the property.
Empty Home
You also need to think about when your home is empty. An empty home is going to be a serious issue for you when you are trying to keep your property safe. Usually, through holiday seasons criminals will drive around neighborhoods, looking for homes that are vulnerable and potentially unguarded. There are telltale signs of this including mail gathering up on the doorstep or on the other side of the door. This is why it’s smart to enquire whether a neighbor can look after your home for you. One of the ways to ensure that your home does look living in still is to get a neighbor to park one of their cars on your driveway, particularly through the evening and at night. If you do this, that sends a clear message.
A mistake that you shouldn’t make is leaving the lights to switch on or electric devices running when you are away. This can have the opposite impact and may actually alert a criminal that a home is empty. After all, who leaves the TV playing at 3am in the morning on a weekday. Instead, you can think about using timer switches. Timer switches are great because they mean that you will be controlled when lights are on and off based on typical social activities. You can switch electronic devices on and off too.
You also need to think about setting up deterrents around your home. Ultimately the homes that are targeted are going to be the ones that look like easy jobs. You might have noticed that your neighbors and friends have begun investing in CCTV systems. While these were typically reserved for businesses, today, it’s common for them to have a presence on homes as well. You can find cheap CCTV systems that work wonders and can even be accessed remotely. This means that you could potentially be miles away and still know with certainty that your home is secure. The likelihood is that if you have CCTV cameras up around your home a criminal won’t even bother. However, you do need to take care of here.
Local laws and regulations dictate that you can not record anyone else’s property without their permission. So, you’ll need to make sure that you angle the camera and fix it in the right position.
The Roof And Windows
Of course, it’s possible that the entry point that you’ve left wide open is staring you right in the face. You might find that there’s a problem with the roof. After a period of bad weather or a nasty storm, it’s possible for there to be enough roof damage for people to break through. Now, again, you might think that people are going to notice someone climbing on your roof. But if they come in the right van, are wearing the right clothing, and look professional, this might not be the case. That’s why you should make sure that you are getting your roof checked out a couple of times each year. You also need to ensure that you are taking steps to keep your windows secure too.
If a criminal has a ladder, they can easily access windows. That’s why you want to make sure that your windows do have safety catches on them. You also need to ensure that you are closing the windows when you leave the home either through the day or for an extended amount of time like a holiday.
It’s also possible to get reinforced glass windows. While these will stop people from breaking in it can also make it quite difficult to break out. This could be a safety hazard if a window is your escape point in the event of a fire so that’s definitely something to consider. Privacy glass could be worth exploring too. With privacy glass, you can make sure people can’t see what you have in your home. This means that they will be far less tempted to break in.
We hope this helps you understand some of the potential threats that you could face when you are trying to ensure that your home is secure. Remember, it’s easy to forget about these dangers and understandable why they might slip your mind. However, if you do, you will be putting your property at risk and potentially your family too. It’s unlikely that someone who breaks into your home will be violent but you never know. You can’t be too careful when keeping strangers away from the people who are most important to you in this world. So, don’t make these mistakes. Put the right safety measures in place now.
Kori
Latest posts by Kori (see all)
- The Cognitive Advantages of Paint by Numbers for Adults - April 29, 2024
