Quick And Easy Home Security Tips

You’ve spent a lot of time and money on your home.  You want to protect it from intruders – but you don’t want to drain the budget.  You have lots of options, but good home security starts with you and costs little more than having common sense and some good habits. There are some no/low cost things you can do to protect your home.  From there, you can add layers of protection – depending on your preferences.

Have smart habits

• Keep your doors locked – even when you are home.
• Close and lock all windows when you are away from home.
• Put lights on a timer.  Burglars love an empty house and nothing says empty faster than a dark home.When you are on vacation, put all newspaper deliveries on hold – and ask a neighbor to pick up any fliers or random newsletter deliveries that are put in your driveway or at your front door.

Step up basic security

• Install quality deadbolts on your doors.
• Put an inexpensive wooden dowel in sliding doors and windows.
• Put in some good motion-sensor lights.  They are cheap, easy to install, and a good deterrent to would-be thieves.
• Be mindful of your landscaping.  Heavy vegetation makes for a great hiding place – and tall trees near a second story window.
• Use a safe – preferably bolted to the floor.  Keep your valuables, including jewelry and important documents locked up.
• Get a dog.  Not an option for everyone, but a barking dog can cause a would-be burglar to have second thoughts.

Think about surveillance

• A popular trend is security cameras outside.  Depending on your preferences, modern technology will even connect to your computer or cell phone.
• Consider a wired alarm system.  If you do opt to install one, however – use it.  It does you no good if you leave home without setting it.