Congratulations on purchasing a new home! This moment can be exciting but also overwhelming, especially for first-time homeowners. And among the packing, moving in, unpacking, and decorating, you may overlook one of the most important and necessary steps in homeownership– securing your home. By considering a few security measures, you can protect your family and belongings, thereby gaining peace of mind while you’re home or away.
So how do you secure your new home? We recommend the following six simple security tips:
1. Change all of the locks and access codes
Before moving into your new home, it’s best to change the locks and/or codes on all doors, including the garage door. You have no idea who has had access to the property, so changing the locks is an easy way to keep your home safe. Plus, you can upgrade your locks to the best ones on the market.
2. Install proper indoor and outdoor lighting
Having a well-lit property, inside and outside, can be a great deterrent to intruders. To save energy and money, you can use motion detection or solar-powered outdoor lighting and timers for the interior lights to turn on even when you’re not home.
3. Reinforce all windows
Standard window locks may not always be the strongest to withstand a break-in. Therefore, adding security bars, window security film, or even glass break sensors can help burglar-proof your windows.
4. Use cameras
Using security cameras around your property can be a great preventative measure for catching thieves or vandals before they do any damage to your home. Whether you install the camera yourself or get a professional to hook it up for you, we recommend using a camera that has a mobile app. That way, you can get live footage 24/7, which provides peace of mind when you’re away from home.
5. Get to know your neighbors
When you move to a new place, it’s usually a good idea to get to know the people who live around you. If you’re on good terms with your neighbors, they can provide added security to your home by alerting you to any unusual activity on your property.
6. Add a monitored alarm system
Installing a home alarm system can help minimize threats to your loved ones and home. According to the U.S. News and World Report, a home security system can protect you from not just burglary or home invasion but also environmental disasters, such as fire and carbon monoxide. Moreover, some insurance companies offer homeowners discounts for having a monitored alarm system. Protection and a discount– sounds like a win-win.
Next steps
We hope these recommendations help ease your mind on how to protect your home and the people who live in that home. To answer any questions or learn more about home security, don’t hesitate to contact us, and we’ll be glad to assist.