Tips for a More Secure Home

Think of Everything and Be Open to Change

Home security is about more than just burglar-proofing your home. Folks that stop there are missing many of the other dangers lurking around their homes and property, including:

• Safety hazards
• Medical emergencies
• Weather-related emergencies
• Security risks

Quick Tips for Putting the Whole Home Security Package Together

Your home security system should embrace all of the above hazards with both low-tech and high-tech solutions:

• Evaluate the members of your family that are living with you; consider the unique safety challenges each faces. For example, children are at high risk for poisonings and discovering dangerous firearms in the home, while seniors are at risk for falls and sudden medical emergencies.
• Given your family members, decide key areas in which you should expand your home security system to make your home safer and more secure: install medical alert system, make sure you have an alarm keypad with a medical emergency button available, reduce risks of falls and trips.
• Install smoke detectors and/or fire alarms; at the very least you should have one outside bedrooms; test them once per month. Replace batteries annually or before.
• Do you have a fuel-burning heating appliance, fireplace or woodburning stove? Consider adding a carbon monoxide detector to your home detection arsenal.
• Secure any firearms, ammunition and other dangerous weapons in a home safe.
• If you have blind spots and dark areas on your property or around the exterior of your home, why not add on motion-activated flood-lights that could be useful in deterring potential intruders and trespassers.
• Add lighting to outdoor security signage.
• Make sure children know how to operate a home security system; they should know passwords and any panic passwords necessary.
• If your children are ever home before you consider the value of installing a two-way intercom at your front and back door or even a video doorphone.
• Don’t believe that simply educating your children will keep them safe. Keep them safe with safeguards you install or put in place.
• If you have a car, boat, motorcycle or other valuable asset expand home security to include your garage and driveway areas. Car alarms, secure garage doors and outdoor lighting could deter potential thieves and intruders.

These are just a few tips to consider when evaluating your family’s safety and security strategy. Continue to tweak your system to accommodate changes in your family unit, neighborhood and personal assets.