Security Ideas for Your Home

Your home is your sanctuary. It’s where you make lasting memories with your family. That’s why you should always take precautions when it comes to the safety of your family and your home.

General Steps You Should Take

• Take inventory of your valuable possessions, and keep a record of product and serial numbers
• Record a walk-through video of your home
• Take note of where you keep things like money, checks, jewelry, and spare keys
• Make sure you know what your home insurance policy covers

Protecting Your Doors and Windows

Thieves know how to jimmy doors and windows open, so you should take note of which types of doors and windows you have. Do the dead bolts seem to be loose? Are the doors hollow? Do your windows lock properly? Are they double-paned? Check out these tips for additional door and window security:

• Use outdoor and motion-detection lighting as a deterrent
• Don’t put expensive items near any windows
• Always lock your doors and windows when you leave your home
• Change locks if you lose your keys and when you move
• Add lighting if doors around your home are dark
• Always see who it is before opening the door
• Insulate cracks on your door and upgrade locks
• Put stickers of your home security provider on your door and windows

Protecting Your Garage and Shed

Burglars are always looking for the easiest and most vulnerable place to break into your home. One of these points of access could be your garage, as some have windows that may not be well protected. A burglar could easily break that window to get in. Here are a few steps you can take to secure your garage:

• Always lock your car
• Don’t keep expensive items such as laptops, smartphones, and garage remotes in your vehicle
• Think about getting motion-detection lights and an alarm system if you have not done so already
• Create an access code for the garage or shed

Protecting Your Yard

Keeping a well-manicured lawn will go a long way when it comes to preventing a break-in. Thieves will go to great lengths to hide themselves when breaking into a home, and things like tall shrubs and huge bushes can provide excellent cover during a break-in. Check out these additional steps you can take:

• Make sure gates are always locked
• Consider getting perimeter alarms and video surveillance equipment for your yard
• Think about getting a dog, which can alert you or your neighbors of any intruders

Protecting Your Home During Vacations and Holidays

The last thing you should worry about when you are away for a long period of time is the security of your home. Take note of these simple tips so you can rest easy:

• Notify friends and neighbors that you are leaving, and ask them to check in on your home
• Put timers on lights and televisions
• Don’t advertise where you are going and for how long you will be away. There have been reported incidents of burglars using social media to determine which homes will be vacant while residents are away

Protecting Your Neighborhood

By communicating and looking out for your neighbors, you can work together to better protect your neighborhood and community. Check out these simple preventive measures:

• Get acquainted with your neighbors
• Join or start a neighborhood watch
• Keep your sidewalk shoveled and salted during the winter to avoid liability in the case of a fall

What to Do If Someone Breaks into Your Home

Having your home broken into can be a traumatic and horrible experience. If you ever find that

your home has been burglarized, follow the steps below:

• Call 911 immediately
• File a police report
• Take pictures
• Tell your neighbors
• Take note of what was stolen from you
• Notify your home insurance provider

Protecting your family and your possessions is important. You can greatly reduce the risk of your home getting burglarized by following the tips above.

This article was crafted with the help of Sentry Security, a Chicago expert in Security Systems. While we strive to provide relevant information to all homeowners, some of the material we publish may not pertain to every area. Please contact your local Best Pick companies for any further area-specific advice.