There are a lot of reasons to put real effort into making your house and the property that surrounds it look as good as possible. Good landscaping and home care add value to the property. The property is easier to maintain. You won’t have as many pests to fight. And, of course, let’s be honest: we all enjoy the bragging rights that come with having the prettiest home on the block.
It is important to understand, however, that if you’re going to be putting money and lots of effort into making your home look as good as possible, you should be putting the same money and effort into making sure your home is as safe as possible. Very well kept homes can often be targets for thieves and vandals as they are seen as signs of wealth. Here are some tips and tricks for keeping your home and family as safe as possible.
A Good Security System
Installing a solid security system is one of the best steps you can take to improve the safety and security of your home. And don’t try to hide that system! Use the signage you’re given for your windows and yards to let passersby know that the property is monitored and under surveillance. They’ll think twice before trying to break in!
The robustness of your security system is up to you. Just remember that as the experts in security plans at ADT say:
“Security prices are a direct reflection of getting what you pay for. Any home automation features will cost you more than basic home security systems because these features give you the ability to access your ADT monitored home security system in a much more advanced way.
It is important to factor value in with affordability when choosing the right security system package for your family. Sometimes, instincts guide you to pursue the best deal or the lowest price, but these types of packages don’t cut in in the home security world.”
Fake It So They Don’t Take It
Your home should never be obviously empty, even if there’s nobody home. You should always give the illusion of someone being just on the other side of your home’s doors and windows. Here are some tips for doing that:
- Keep a television on when you leave
- Put your lights on timers so that different lights turn on and off at different times of day
- Keep your blinds closed
- When you leave, call out “bye” or “see you later” back into the house as if someone in there is listening.
- Keep your porch clear of papers and fliers and your mailbox empty
There are ways to automate this when you are away for a while (like for vacation or business travel). Another good idea if you are leaving for an extended period of time is to have someone house sit for you.
Watch Out For Each Other
Get to know your neighbors. It might feel old fashioned but it is one of the best ways to stop problems before they have a chance to get out of control. If you know your neighbors and their families you’ll know whether the person lurking around the backyard is the husband who constantly locks himself out or someone who isn’t supposed to be there. When you know each other–even if you don’t particularly like each other–you’ll be more likely to respond to alarms and unusual noises when you/they hear them.
Another good idea is to set up a neighborhood watch. Neighborhoods with community watches have significantly less crime than those without. Work with your local police precinct to get your neighborhood set up. Sure you might have to give up a couple of evenings of free time but the exercise you’ll get walking around your neighborhood is good exercise!
Keeping your family safe is a big deal and it is always a good thing to work at. It becomes even more important if your home looks enticing to thieves. These tips are just the beginning. There are a lot of great and practical steps you can take to make your home a (beautiful) fortress.