Did you know that your home is one of the most common places you can be robbed? Depending on the statistics you look at, thousands of burglaries occur every month in the United States alone. The unfortunate truth is that most of them are preventable. Here are some ideas on how to help keep your home and family safe.
Install A Home Security System
You’ve probably heard the saying, “It’s better to be safe than sorry.” This is especially true when it comes to home security. Installing a home security system is one of the most effective ways to protect your home and family from intruders. In fact, studies have shown that a home security system alone can reduce the chance of a break-in by up to 90%. It is advisable to learn about armed settings at Alarm Grid to see how you can benefit from them.
When you’re choosing a security system, there are a few options: hardwired (connected directly to your house), wireless (connected through Wi-Fi), or both. The latter option tends to be the most secure and provides you with the widest range of options.
Test Smoke Alarms
The National Fire Prevention Association recommends testing your smoke alarms at least once a month. Smoke alarms should be tested by pressing their test button and holding it until you hear the alarm. If you don’t hear the alarm sound, replace the batteries. If the smoke alarm still doesn’t work after new batteries are installed, replace it with a new smoke alarm.
Smoke alarms should also be cleaned every six months to remove dust and cobwebs, which can impede their function. Most smoke alarms have a cleaning brush in their toolkit for this purpose.
Consider Installing Smart Locks
There are many benefits of using a smart lock over a traditional lock. Smart locks allow you to unlock your door from anywhere, as well as remotely unlock the door for others without having to give them a key. This is very useful when letting in a maintenance specialist or other service personnel. Additionally, some smart locks can be programmed to automatically lock and unlock at certain times, providing additional convenience.
Smart locks are also much more durable than their traditional counterparts, making them unsuitable for breaking into by force. However, smart locks do require electricity to function, so it is recommended that you have backup batteries on hand in case of a power outage.
Never Leave Spare Keys Outside
When you need to make an extra set of keys for your house – for a neighbor, your kids, your significant other – it’s tempting to leave them somewhere outside where they can easily be found.
Leaving spare keys in the obvious places outside your home is like writing “free food” on the front of your refrigerator. You’re practically inviting thieves and other dangers into your home. Please don’t do it.
Don’t Share Your Travel Plans On Social Media
Travel is exciting—we get it. But when you share your travel plans on social media before you leave home, you’re letting everyone know that your house will be empty. If someone has been following you online and wants to take advantage of this information, they now have an invitation to enter your house and steal valuable property or even harm your family members.
Takeaway
By taking the simple, proactive measures listed above, you can help keep your home and family safe from dangers. With proper safety precautions in place, you can feel comforted knowing that your home and family are protected, even when you are away.
