Buying your first home is a nerve-wracking yet exciting experience.
As you settle down, your thoughts might be a little scattered with the sheer amount of things to do.
One of the main concerns can— and let’s be honest, should— be around the security risks that come with homeownership. This is no joke: keeping your home safe is fundamental.
There aren’t many life-changing moments quite like that one, whether you’ve bought a house in the city or in the quiet suburbs. One fact remains: it’s your home, and you have a new responsibility to take into your life.
With this in mind, let’s go over the 5 top security problems houses can face, discuss possible solutions, and bring some much-needed peace of mind into your life.
1. Having Bad-quality Locks And Doors
The quality of locks, doors, and windows is fundamental when we talk about home safety.
Pretend you’re a robber: would you pick the house with brand-new, secure locks or the house that looks easier to get into?
If you’re remodeling your home, invest in good quality doors and windows, and you can even splurge and get smart locks for every entry point. It ends up being more convenient anyway. And, from time to time, inspect everything and make sure it’s in good condition. A little goes a long way.
2. Forgetting To Purchase A Surveillance System
I am not saying we should all have cameras installed all around. After all, not everyone likes that sort of system, and that’s fine.
However, not every surveillance system relies on cameras. There are motion sensors and even silent alarms that contact the police when there’s suspicious activity.
Besides, if you get a good surveillance system, burglars will be easily deterred from even entering your house. According to research, homes without security systems are targeted by burglars 300% more than those with some form of home surveillance devices.
3. Keeping Your Wi-Fi Unsecured
If we’re talking home safety, cyberattacks can be as complicated to fix as physical robberies. Hackers can easily steal your financial information, for example. Research shows that 4 in 10 people have had their personal information compromised or stolen while browsing on free Wi-Fi.
Considering how many smart devices we keep in our homes today, it’s easy to understand why we need to be reminded to secure what we own.
Start with something simple, like locking your Wi-Fi with a strong password and getting a VPN on iPhone to browse safely. From there, you can research and invest in security software.
4. Not Paying Attention To Home Maintenance
As we said before, investing in good security equipment is great, but keeping it in good condition is even better.
Don’t neglect these routines because the consequences can damage your property and even your.
Occasionally, take a good look at doorways, locks, and even overgrown gardens. Burglars notice these things when they pick out the houses they will target next. Replace and fix anything that’s not looking its best, like a rusty lock or a rotten back door.
5. Sharing Too Much Information Online
Social media platforms are great, and we all can connect and enjoy with people anywhere in the world.
While this huge advantage is not something we’ve had for many years, we always need to reinforce the concept of sharing too much.
It’s best not to post about extravagant purchases, money, or other private information like your street or the front of your house: you don’t know all the people who might see what you’re posting.
To put it simply, burglars have social media accounts, too, and they can certainly use it to scoop out your area and find out your routines. These things happen, and it’s best to prevent them by avoiding compromising posts.
Here are some more things you can do now to protect your home:
- Contact the authorities whenever you see suspicious activity.
- Keep up with news and robberies in your area.
- Trust your instinct and remember to close and lock every entry point before you go to bed.
- Keep your garden trimmed, and don’t forget to cut down overgrown plants to prevent burglars from hiding there.
- Check your fences and backyard.
- Talk to your neighbors and form a strong community where you can help each other and count on each other if something happens.
To Sum Up
As you enjoy your new home, remember to also protect it with strong, simple measures. Your peace of mind has no price, and keeping a safe environment will help you thrive, so make the right investments and learn about the tools that can help you prevent incidents.
