Data collected by the Conference Board shows that Canada’s burglary rate is lower than nine of its peer countries, at 578 burglaries per 100,000 people. Having said that, there’s no reason to neglect security at your home. It’s up to you to protect yourself and your home from intruders. If you’re looking for some effective home security ideas, keep reading.
1. Use Lights
Bad guys don’t like to do their work in bright lighting, so see if you can install more lighting to your driveway, yard, and front door area. This can be one of the simplest ways to increase your security, especially if you use motion-activated lights.
2. Install an Alarm System
One of the best ways to help deter burglars is to install a good quality alarm system. There are a lot of different kinds available, but the two main groups are monitored and non-monitored. With a monitored system, if the alarm is triggered, the security company will know and will contact you right away. These are more expensive but worth the cost when it comes to peace of mind and security.
Non-monitored alarm systems will sound an alarm when triggered, and can also notify you via smartphone app that there’s been a breach in security.
3. Use Interior Lighting Timers
Timers for your interior lights are an inexpensive and simple way to increase your home security. With lights turning on and off, potential burglars will think there’s someone home and will be less likely to try to break in.
4. Get Rid of the “Hidden” House Key
One hugely simple way to increase your home security is to eliminate the spare house key you have hidden outside. Even when you think it’s safely hidden, most burglars are aware of the most common places to hide a spare key. Instead, leave your key with a neighbour you trust.
5. Check Your Windows
Most people check to make sure their doors are locked before leaving home or going to bed, but forget about the windows. Always ensure the windows have functioning locks, and remember to lock them before leaving.
6. Add Signage
Burglars tend to visit a home before a break-in to see if there are any signs of heightened security. Various signage like home security systems, “beware of dog” signs, and signs warning of video recorders can deter a potential burglar.
7. Replace Door Locks
Have a look at the types of locks on your doors. Every exterior door in your house should have a grade one or two deadbolt lock that goes into the door frame. Because locks are the weakest part of a door, having the proper level of lock security can decrease your risk of a break-in.
8. Evaluate Exterior Doors
Keeping your doors locked might not be good enough if they aren’t made of the proper material. All exterior doors should be made of solid wood or metal. Hollow-core doors aren’t secure, and should be replaces as soon as possible.
If you have a sliding glass door, keep a block of wood in the track so the door can’t be opened from the outside by more than a few inches.
9. Increase Fence and Gate Security
Bad guys can easily jump a fence or enter a backyard through an unlocked gate. Make your fence as high as possible to deter climbing, and put a lock on the gate.
10. Ask an Expert on Home Security
You can call a locksmith or home security company for a home safety inspection. They can come and walk through your home with you, pointing out potential problems that you can fix to increase your home’s security.