Living Alone? 3 Tips To Make Your Home Safer

More people than ever live alone, making home security a major concern. It is frightening to imagine an intruder breaking in when no one is at home or, worse yet, when you’re asleep. Getting anxious about a worst-case scenario won’t keep you safe, but some simple checkpoints can go a long way.

Believe it or not, it could benefit you to think like an intruder when considering whether your home is secure.

Identify Security Risks

Are there easy-access areas in your home that you may not be aware of? Move through the home and check door hinges, screens, window locks or garage doors that don’t close properly. If you really wanted to get into the house from the outside, could you do it?

If you would think like a thief for a moment, you might guess that the easier the access, the choicer the plum, i.e., your belongings. Thieves notice homes that appear to be easy to burglarize. This is a honed skill, leading to a reward in goods. If you notice something is broken – for example, a gap in a screen or a window that won’t lock – address the problem immediately. If you’re renting, ask the landlord to repair the problems for your safety.

Know Your Neighbors

Today people come and go, and many times people have neighbors whom they have never met. Living alone makes knowing your neighbors a must. A neighbor who keeps watch is very helpful. It is important to cultivate good relationships with people who live around you, and those who have lived in the neighborhood for a while can advise you on the safety of your particular area.

Potential thieves don’t care for neighborhoods where people appear to be observing properties around them. A thief does not like seeing a car in the neighbor’s driveway, nor a person strolling around the yard next door. Robbery is best accomplished unseen.

A vigilant neighbor at home next door is a definite deterrent. A neighbor who is a friend and who will notify you (or the authorities if necessary) is even better.

Install Security Alarms

A study interviewing burglars indicated that the presence of an alarm system sign would send them off to easier pickings. This was especially true for burglars who carefully planned robbery strategies. No thief wants to enter a home and be blasted with a loud alarm system and instant police notification.

Smart home systems create a secure access to a home that no ordinary burglar would consider, and they offer top-notch, dependable technology.

A mobile app provides complete viewing of your residence while you are out, and the cameras can be monitored 24/7. A mobile device can allow residents to lock doors, adjust temperatures, turn on or off lights and open or close a garage door from anywhere in the world. Even such things as an appliance left on or a leak in a pipe can be instantly detected and an alert given.

The system can give a potential burglar the impression that someone is in the home, with lights and television turning on and shades lifting at different times of the day. A potential thief is very interested in whether or not someone is at home. If it seems an occupant is in the home, most prudent burglars will not attempt a robbery.

Be Vigilant to Stay Safe

We all want to keep our homes as safe as possible, and with new technology there are even more way to do it. Above we discussed three tips that could help you increase the safety of your home. It’s important to pay attention and be aware of any suspicious activity around your home.

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