While you probably know to lock your doors and close your blinds at night, there are plenty of other things that people do to make their homes vulnerable in 2020. If you really want to make sure that your home and your family remain safe, consider these top home security tips.
Secure Your Doors
There is more to securing your doors than simply remembering to lock them. You’ll also need to make sure the hinges on your doors are secure or that thieves can’t reach through a mail slot to open your front door. You should also change your locks if you’ve just moved into a new place that someone else used to call home. The previous owners may have handed over their keys, but you can never be sure that there aren’t any copies out there somewhere.
Install Window Locks
The latches that are used to lock most windows are downright flimsy and way too easy to break.If you want to keep your windows from becoming points of entry, purchase window locks or window bars. Additionally, having your home installed with roller blinds from My Direct Blinds can also give you added privacy and protection as people won’t be able to see in from the outside – it would be helpful especially for people living alone.. You can also install window film to reinforce the glass in your windows or sensors that trigger an alarm or turn on your lights when your windows are broken. You can also plant prickly bushes underneath your first-story windows, although you have to remember to keep them trimmed so they don’t become hiding places for thieves.
Install Outdoor Lighting
If you have a smaller home with a smaller yard, your regular outside lights might be enough to keep thieves at bay. If you have a larger home with a larger yard, invest in some outdoor landscape lighting. This includes track lighting leading up to your door, motion-activated porch lights, and some extra lights around your garage. Not only will it make thieves nervous about getting too close to your home, but it will make it easier for you to walk around when you go outside at night.
Lock Down Your Wi-Fi
An unsecured wi-fi network is a distinctly 21st Century problem that leaves you vulnerable to hackers that can steal your personal and financial information; you could even be leaving your home vulnerable to a break-in if you use home automation. Nobody is suggesting you give up your wi-fi network but you do need to lock it down. Hiding your wi-fi, installing a firewall, securing your wireless router, and installing antivirus and anti-malware software in all of your electronic devices will keep you safe. This also means using common sense when you surf the Internet. Never share your passwords or any personal information online, especially with someone you don’t know.
Be Careful with What You Share on Social Media
There is an unfortunate tendency among people to share absolutely everything on social media, up to and including when they go on vacation. While it’s nice to share your vacation photos with your Facebook friends, wait until after you get back home to do so. Posting about your latest trip on social media is essentially telling everyone on the Internet that your home is empty and unattended. All it takes is for the wrong person to see this information for you to come home to a burglarized home.
Tell Someone You Trust When You’re Going to be Out of Town
Even though you shouldn’t advertise when your home is going to be deserted and unprotected on social media, it’s a great idea to tell someone you trust when you’re going to be out of town, preferably a neighbor who can keep an eye on your house. They can monitor your home from next door or across the street and call the police if they see anyone trying to break in.