6 Steps You Can Take To Keep Your Home Protected

Owning your home can come with a ton of anxieties. There’s always a worry of break-ins and thefts, and – unlike in rented properties – you’re fully on the hook for damages and things that break. 

That said, there are steps you can take to mitigate these risks, making them as unlikely as possible. Here are some steps you can take to keep your home protected. 

1. Upgrade Your Locks

Locks are a great first step in protecting your home, but the enterprising thief can easily get around most of the common types of locks. Upgrading your locks to more secure smart locks is an easy way to secure your home as a first step. Aside from being more secure, they also often come with additional features, such as being connected to a smartphone app, which means opening and closing remotely. 

2. Get Coverage

Make sure your home is insured with the help of homeowners insurance and a home warranty. These coverages reduce the financial hit you face if something unexpected happens, and the average premium is usually quite affordable, so they won’t affect your monthly budget negatively. With home insurance, you can rest assured that if something breaks or is stolen from your home (or someone is accidentally injured), you don’t have to worry about losing all your savings!

3. Get a Camera

Home security cameras allow you to keep track of everyone who approaches and enters your home, allowing you to check in on your property remotely to ensure everything is in place. Additionally, visible security cameras can act as deterrents to criminals, and the existence of cameras has been shown to be something burglars take into account when choosing a home to target. As an added plus, they also allow you to keep an eye on your children and pet when you can’t be there to supervise them in person.

4. Make Sure You Have Enough Lights

Another element that can help deter criminals is the presence of outdoor lights. They give your home the feel of having people inside, and criminals are less likely to target homes with people in residence. Consider investing in lights you can control remotely. This will mean you will be able to turn them on when you’re on holiday, allowing you to give your property the illusion of being occupied.  

5. Be Careful with Your Spare Keys

If you have an older lock with physical keys, you may leave a key outside your home just in case you forget the keys you carry with you. A hidden key can come in extremely useful – but it’s also an easy way for thieves to enter your home. Be careful about where you keep it (criminals will likely check under the flowerpots) and if possible, consider entrusting it to a neighbor rather than leaving it unmonitored. If you can’t give it to another person, look for safe alternatives, like placing it in a hidden combination lockbox.

6. Hide Your Valuables

It can be tempting to leave your most precious items out on display – but these are the things that draw burglars to homes. Make sure you’re not leaving big-ticket items like an expensive home theater system in front of an open window, and ensure your sports cars and motorbikes are parked inside the garage. And don’t forget to close the garage door as well.

Theft and broken property are among the biggest worries that come with homeownership. However, you can reduce the risk you and your family face with a few careful steps, allowing you some much-needed peace of mind.