Buying a house can be exciting. It is likely to be the most expensive purchases in your life and a space where you will create lasting memories with your family.
Not everyone can afford the luxury of having a storm-ship trooper guarding their homes at all time. Lets face it, times are hard.
It is important to keep your home safe and we will explore ways in which you can do that from threats within and without. The aim is not to be paranoid however we cannot be careless and by taking some precaution, you can deter any would be burglars.
Alarms
Get a smoke and a carbon monoxide alarm and test them. Government regulation and standards means that homes need to have smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms but if they are only put to test when there is an emergency, it may be too late.
Get an app or use your phone and set a reminder for example every first or last Saturday of the month, you test your alarms. Hopefully it does not become an emergency but it is better to be prepared.
On the topics of alarms, it is also good to get a house alarm that is activated when you are away should someone break in. It serves as a deterrent and will have most burglars thinking twice about breaking in.
Clean your Home
Once in a while and more frequently than not, it is necessary to clean the house because it gives you the chance to get up close with floor boards, windows, gutters, piping and things you would not normally notice on a daily basis. Things like leaks or mould developing somewhere or damp can be spotted early and dealt with before there is any lasting damage.
Places like fences can be damaged, light bulbs can be blown for weeks and all this sends a signal that you are either not around or not paying close attention.
Ring Door Bell
This product is literally a game changer and it took the ubiquitous door bell and made is something of a surveillance tool what allows you to be alerted, monitor and interact with anyone that comes within a certain range. There are different ways you can configure it and you can have multiple in and around your home.
Not suggesting you make your home a big brother house or spy on your neighbours however you can place the cameras in such a way that people are aware of their presence and if they have no business being there, they leave the premises.
There are other companies that offer similar products and so it is worth exploring the options out there and find what works for your budget.
Doors and Windows
Keep your doors and windows closed and locked. This is easy to do in cold weather or cooler climates but during the summer or in warmer countries, it is easy to leave a back door open or a window open to allow fresh air. The problem here is you are likely to forget the window open and fall asleep which could be dangerous if the window is on an easily accessible floor such as the ground floor or first floor.
It is necessary to check that windows and doors are locked before going to bed or before leaving the house even to go shopping. Develop a routine and double check just to make sure. This little act can save your life and has saved people’s lives.
Also a good time to mention do not advertise your gadgets. Yes people know you have a TV, Smartphone and the latest tablet however there is no need to leave you blind drawn, TV facing the window so everyone can see you are watching the latest episode of The Mandalorian on Disney+.
The Use of Light
There is some debate as to how lights can be used as some people feel there are merely decorative or sometimes they can attract too much attention. Using external lighting in a clever way can achieve both. If your home is at the end of a terrace and with your garden overlooking a dark walk way, your garden lights are not merely decorative as they serve a purpose of providing light in such a way that any one lurking will hesitate to hang around.
A well lit front yard especially a security light will draw attention when motion is detected and this will deter any potential burglars. External lights add to the beauty of the home but more importantly, they deter any thieves because the lights will draw attention and maintain focus on any persons in the vicinity.
The security lights come on for only a few seconds and are bright and any decorative LED lights that stay on longer are energy efficient so they are not taxing on your light bills.
Keep Them Guessing
One useful gadget you can use is a timer switch. You can have the external lights in plugged in to a timer switch which means the light will come on and go off at a specified time. When you are away on holiday or at least planning to, it is not a bad idea to have a small lamp or light source plugged into this switch and have it come on at random times during the night to simulate a short toilet break.
Sometimes when you are home, leave the blinds closed as though no one is home and see if anyone comes knocking. The idea is to leave any potential burglar unsure of you being at home. If you are going to be away for some time there are a number of things you can do to protect your home.
1: Have someone you trust spend a night or two in your house
You can tell your neighbours if you trust them that you are away and someone will be spending a few nights at your house. That way there are no nasty surprises when your friend show up at your door and your neighbours are not alarmed when they see a face.
2: Have your bin brought forward
If letters are piling in your letter box or the bin is still how you left it before you travelled, these are signs you are away so you can have a neighbour take your bin forward to be collected so that it still looks as though you are home to any potential observers.
3: Use social media wisely
Not everything needs to be shared online and you can talk about it when you get back. Be mindful of what you share and on which platform. No need to give people ideas to break into your home while you are away on holiday.
Final Note
We feel safe in our homes and apart from having documents and data at home, we have our family members old and young. It is important to protect our homes from internal and external threats.
It is good habit to join any Facebook groups or social media groups in your local area so you know what is happening because not everything is captured on the local papers or news. Doors and windows should be closed and locked at night or when leaving your home and it is good to build a routine until it becomes a habit.
If you plan to be away for an extended period of time it is good to have someone you trust spend a few nights in your home, take your bins forward for collection and check the house in case of anything developing in your absence.
Make use of technology such as Ring Door Bell and other similar products so you are notified when someone is within range of your home. Test your smoke and carbon monoxide alarms as often as you can by setting a reminder on your phone so you are consistent and prepared.
