It’s obvious that your home’s security is one of the most important things to prioritize. However, we know that not everyone can or wants to invest in a good home security system.
But that doesn’t mean you should give up on improving your security either. There are still easy ways to secure your home without spending too much money.
Here are a few suggestions:
Reinforce your doors and windows
Simply locking your doors and windows is not enough.
According to Statista, “an estimated 899,700 reported burglary cases occurred across the United States in 2021.” And according to the Federal Bureau of Investigation, “55.7% of burglaries involved forcible entry, 37.8% were unlawful entries, and 6.5% were attempted forcible entry.”
Old doors and windows or weak door frames and hinges may not be strong enough to endure attempted break-ins. To secure these points of entry, you can:
- Install deadbolts or multiple locks.
- Replace your door’s strike place that catches the latch or bolt that holds your door closed.
- If your door has short mounting screws, replace them with at least 3-inch ones that reach the door’s studs.
Get a security mailbox or porch lockbox
In a previous blog post, we mentioned an effective way to protect your packages from porch pirates.
But one other way to add a layer of security to your porch is to get a security mailbox or porch lockbox, so couriers can safely drop off your packages and important mail without you having to worry about anyone stealing them while you’re away.
Keep your big purchases a secret
Believe it or not, you might be exposing your big-time purchases outside of your home.
How? You may not be showing them off literally, but the big boxes outside your home may expose your recent big purchases. Make sure to keep your big purchases a secret by also disposing of their boxes discreetly.
You can break them down or keep them inside your home until the recycling or trash pickup comes.
Light up the area around your home
Investing in motion-sensor outdoor lights is a great way to catch an intruder off-guard and protect your yard. But you can also opt for solar-powered outdoor lights to help you illuminate the areas around your home and discourage intruders from creeping in.
Get a safe
This is a classic idea, but still pretty effective. Having a safe inside your home for your valuables is always a good idea. Make sure to keep it hidden and always secure.
When choosing a safe, it’s good to make sure that it’s fire-resistant, waterproof, as well as heavy enough so a burglar won’t be able to carry it away.
Hide your keys well
Under the doormat. Under the flowerpot. Under a random brick. These key hiding places are old tricks that do absolutely nothing for your security. Every burglar knows all the classic hiding spots, so it’s best to think of better places to hide your keys, like a few feet away from your door or a secure box.
Protect your network security
Believe it or not, your home’s network can also be infiltrated and used to access your personal data and important information, such as financial documents and details. Aside from using strong passwords on all your accounts, you can also try:
- Enabling your WPA or WP2 encryption
- Using a firewall
- Install antivirus and anti-malware software
- Using a Virtual Private Network to encrypt your online activity
Eliminate hiding places around your home
Burglars may also use hiding places and other ways to sneak into your home. For example, they may use the ladders or stools around your yard to climb into your windows or hide behind trees, shrubbery, and other big things on your lawn.
So make sure to keep useful equipment locked inside your garage or shed and keep trees and bushes regularly trimmed, or cut down hanging branches that may lead to your roof or windows.
Adding a layer of security to your home doesn’t have to be expensive. There are easier and simpler ways to do so without punching a hole in your pocket.
If you want to learn more about your home or business’ security and how you can upgrade it, you can consult our experts, explore more on our blog, or call us at 866-552-9035.
