The safety of your home and family are always at the top of mind, especially during the holidays. An important step in preventing burglary and other crimes is to make sure that your home is as secure as possible. Chances are good that your home security can be improved. Start with taking a hard look at entry points in your residence to determine what steps can be taken to reduce vulnerability. Below is a guide that can be useful in increasing the security of your home.
Home Security Checklist and Tips
- Entry doors should have a heavy deadbolt.
- Check window locks periodically to make sure all windows are locked in place.
- Make sure your hedges and shrubs do not hide your windows.
- Plant thorny bushes or shrubs in front of windows.
- Avoid hiding any spare keys outside the house.
- Ensure the door leading from the garage to the house is a solid wood or metal clad door. Place a deadbolt on this door.
- Make sure the garage door has a lock, in-case of failure of the automatic door opener.
- Make sure your sliding glass doors have one of the following: track lock, hinged door bar, metal, or wood dowel in the track.
- Make sure there are no dark spots around your house at night. Keep light bulbs refreshed.
- Put motion sensor lights on the exterior to control your lights.
- Consider a home alarm system, or home automation system with cameras and motion sensors.
- If you are going to be away for an extended period of time consider using timers or a home automation system for interior lights. Vary the timing and location of interior lights set to the timers.
- Ensure your house numbers are clearly displayed on the house for emergency personnel to identify quickly.
- Stop your mail and paper delivery when you are going to be away.
- Keep an up to date inventory of valuables in your house – include pictures and serial numbers.
- Ensure firearms are stored unloaded in a safe or locked case.
- Do not post information about or photographs of your trip on social media sites (Facebook, Twitter, Google +, etc.) until you return home.
- Tell a neighbor that you will be gone and have them report any suspicious activity to the police.
- Always Know Who Has Your Keys. If your keys have recently been stolen, or you have moved, have your locks re-keyed or replaced.