Improve Your Home Security for 2021
Whether you’re a homeowner or a property manager, home security is always a top priority. With all the technological innovations coming out daily, there are a variety of options out there to ensure we’re able to feel safe and secure in our homes. And though we’ve already gone over the pros and cons of Smart Lock technology, there are a few easy ways you can take charge of your home security without having to build a moat around your house.
Keep it secret, keep it safe
As simple as this may sound, it bears mentioning. The way your home is perceived goes a long way in keeping it safe from a potential burglary. This means that as a homeowner, it’s important to hide your valuables to ensure you don’t make yourself a target in the first place. It’s common sense, really. Close your curtains and blinds at night so people can’t look into your home to see your large flat-screen TV, or that brand new 10-in-1 espresso machine you had imported from Italy. That shiny new aquamarine Vespa you got? Keep it in the garage, and arrange for someone to pick up any packages that get delivered while you’re out.
Keep your absence a mystery
An easy way to make sure you’re not a target is to make it look like you’re always home. Think of Kevin in Home Alone—the scene where he uses real-size cardboard cutouts to look like he was having a party—but there’s no need to go to such extremes as he did. If possible, have someone stay in your home any time you’re away, or it that’s not possible, arrange for someone to check on the house daily instead. This will ensure the mail is brought in, the lawn is mowed, and the snow is shoveled, ensuring the house looks occupied for any time you’re spending away.
Smarten up your lock
We covered this in another post, but experienced burglars are far better at picking a traditional lock than a smart one, and they will likely know all the locations a homeowner may choose to hide their keys, so a hide-a-key really isn’t effective. Try using a smart lock that uses a unique user code—and for added security, change that code often.
Barricade those windows
Ok, ok, maybe don’t barricade them, but it may be wise to pay more attention to your windows if you haven’t already. Most burglars use them to enter a home because it’s often the least guarded part of the property, so this is your opportunity to beat them at their own game. You can go high-tech and invest in a home security system that comes with window sensors, or simply get yourself some robust window locks—especially on the ground floor—and that should do the trick.
Of course, there are a variety of ways to address home security depending on where you live and what kinds of maintenance you’re willing to invest in. If you’re looking for assistance with managing a property you run, we’ve got you covered. It’s 2021, why not start the year off with a free consultation to see how we can work together? Reach out to us, and let’s make 2021 your most successful year yet!
