In a new home, decoration might not be much of an issue but fixing its security issues and making sure the apartment is secure can prove to be a herculean task. It doesn’t take a lot of smartness for a burglar to break into your house. In New Orleans, breaking into a poorly secured house is as easy as the alphabet. The great news is that simple enough tasks could properly secure your house and improve the security of your home. To get on track with security, here are a few of the things you should do.
1. Secure the Doors:
Don’t be that person who will help burglars stroll into your apartment through your front door. Make sure you inspect the exteriors of your doors to be sure that the door frames are strong and the hinges are protected. If your door has a mail slot, then someone can’t reach through it to unlock the door.
If you are moving into a house which used to be someone’s apartment, change the door locks. At least you won’t have to be worried about a stranger being with your key. Also, make sure that you using the best locks in the market. Other ways you can secure your door include installing a deadbolt, add a strike plate, upgrade to smart locks and boost security with a video doorbell.
Next Read: 5 Door Locks You Should Have in Your Home
2. Secure the Windows:
Ensure your window is resistant to attackers, though this depends on the kind of window it is. If it is double-hung windows, you can secure it by screwing together the two. Most intruders are not keen on breaking glass but it still happens more often than you’d think. For you to have optimum protection, windows should have unbreakable glazing or steel bars across them. Some other ways you can secure your window include reinforcing glass with the window security film, installing window or glass break sensor, adding window bars and planting prickly bush under the first-floor windows.
3. Light Up the Landscape:
One thing about burglars and other criminals is that they hate being in the spotlight. Keep them at arm’s length with ample lighting. Place the lights in your front and back yards, along the pathways and near the garage and other outdoor structures. It helps to cut down the risk of someone stumbling on your way up the front steps. You can make the outdoor security light more effective by using motion-activated lights, saving energy with solar-powered lights, and putting the outdoor lights on a timer.
4. Secure the Garage:
This entry point to your home is becoming more popular with criminals. And even if they can’t access your house, chances are you have plenty of good stuff stored in the garage. Make it a habit to lock all doors to the garage—both interior and exterior. You may also consider keeping your garage door opener in the house. That way a burglar can’t grab it out of your car. And if you use a security code to open the garage, make sure you keep it secret and never enter it in front of delivery people, neighbors, or anyone else.
Here are some more easy ways to secure the garage.
- Upgrade to a smart garage door opener.
- Cover windows to hide the goodies inside.
- Secure garage doors with extra locks (or even zip ties!).
- Use home automation—and never leave the garage door open again.
5. Set up a Security System:
Your new apartment is supposed to have a form of security system. Whether it’s a basic security system or a professional security system, whichever it is, make sure your house is secure. Today, there are plenty of options of security systems to choose from, ensure you choose one you are comfortable with. You can also contact the local police department in your area for the neighborhood crime statistics because it helps in doing a home security evaluation of your home.
6. Lock Down Your Wi-Fi Network:
The Wi-Fi of your house is like the doorway to your personal and financial information. If you are using home automation for your house, it will be difficult for burglars to break-in. For houses where the Wi-Fi network is connected to your smart home gadgets or security system, the criminals could get direct access to your home. Secure your wireless router. Enable WPA (Wi-Fi Protected Access) or WPA2 encryption. Rename and hide your home network. Use a firewall. Install antivirus and anti-malware protection. Create strong passwords.
7. Eliminate Hiding Places:
There should be little or fewer trees and shrubs found around your compound. Inasmuch as they are very important to enhance the beauty of the compound, it also serves as a hiding place for burglars and criminals. What you have to do is to trim down the trees and plants that are close to your house because they can be used as covers. Go for smaller bushes and flowers instead. If you have trees near your window, you have to either remove them or reinforce your window security. Also, don’t neglect the rest of your home’s exterior—use these best practices to keep things locked uptight. Always put away stools and ladders. Lock gates, sheds, and other outdoor buildings. Don’t tempt thieves by leaving pricey goods on display in the yard. Add security signs and stickers.
8. Secure sliding glass doors:
The locks on sliding glass doors are notoriously flimsy — many doors can be lifted right off their tracks. Numerous how-to videos on the internet can show you how to make yours more secure, or you can pay a locksmith to install reinforcements.
9. Add Security Cameras:
You most likely have seen on TV burglars being caught on security cameras. This particular security system serves as both a means for security and a means to get justice. The cameras could either be part of the house or you could install it. Whichever one you are using, make sure it’s a security camera with a mobile app so you will be able to monitor and store any footage early enough to get to the police. Other features of security cameras include Motion detection, night vision, Wi-Fi capability, two-way talk, local or cloud storage, weatherproof casing for outdoor cameras.
10. Get A Safe:
Just in case a burglar eventually breaks into the house, make sure that your valuable things are protected in a safe. The in-home safe serves as a depository box for jewelry, vital documents, and other valuables. Your safe should be fire-resistant, waterproof and very heavy so the burglar won’t find it easy to carry them.
Securing your house should be a priority and you must do anything to guard it. You shouldn’t allow burglars to be able to gain entrance into your home.