Even if your funds are limited, there are lots of easy ways to make your home safer.
Not sure where to start? Then check out these five easy ways to improve home safety on a limited budget.
1. Home maintenance
One of the best things you can do for your home is to fix issues when they arise. Problems such as doors that don’t close or locks that don’t seem to open every time you insert a key can put you in danger. When doors are not closing, burglars do not need to use much effort to break in. With faulty locks, emergency escape routes become hazards.
All homeowners needs to safeguard their home. Fixing things in the maintenance stage can keep you safe—and save you money. You’ll not only have more time to price shop, but upfront labor will almost certainly cost less than having to pay for emergency services.
2. Yard safety
Taking care of your front and back yards can help keep your home safe. Removing dead foliage and plants from the yard will mitigate potential fire hazards. Keeping trees and bushes trimmed also helps keep your property safe since criminals often use overgrown yards to hide from onlookers. All plants should also be kept close to the house or walls so that someone cannot crouch, crawl or walk behind them. Doing this is as easy as spending an afternoon every so often outside in nature.
3. Proper lighting
Similar to a well-tended yard, lights allow everyone to see the perimeter of your property. In the darkness, many identifying features on a suspect are replaced by the vague notion that there was someone there. Using motion sensors, your lights will also act as an alarm that attracts attention to the area of intrusion. Setting up good lighting is relatively cheap and easy to do yourself.
4. Door upgrades
There are many ways to upgrade the security of a perimeter door. A perimeter door is any door that opens up to the outside. These doors, especially your front door, are often the first stop for criminals. Many homeowners choose to install a security door, which is commonly a secondary metal-framed door with a metal screen. Another option is to use longer screws to secure your existing door’s hinges and strike plate. With three-inch screws securing these points on your door, your home will be better protected against burglars. Adding metal to the lock hardware will protect the only other vulnerable part, which longer screws cannot secure. A well-priced locksmith can upgrade your door’s existing locks.
5. Window protection
Contrary to popular belief, there are ways to make your windows more secure. One way is with security film that goes right over your glass. It comes in a variety of protection levels and can resist everything from scratches to gun shots. Different companies offer tints, which will obscure the inside of the home and even keep the interior cooler. Simply put the security film over the glass and you’re done.
Any one of these methods will improve your home security. Each option can be used in conjunction with the others. Take your time, and don’t get overwhelmed. Decide which task is easiest for you, and begin there.
It’s also important to have the right homeowners insurance. It can help protect you if an intrusion were to happen despite your best efforts. Talk to an Erie Insurance agent in your community to learn more about your options and to get a free quote.
Ralph Goodman is the lead writer at the Lock Blog, where he shares insight on all things locks and security. Whether you’re a consumer, a locksmith or a security professional, the Lock Blog is a great resource to learn about keys, locks and safety.