Tag: home security

Signs that your home is not as safe as it could be

Signs that your home is not as safe as it could be

If you’re concerned that your home is not as safe or as secure as it could be, then you’re not alone. Many people are in the same situation, but there are many things that you can do to try to improve the situation. Instead of installing new security measures, it’s helpful for you to address the security flaws that you have right now, to ensure that you’re not compromising your and your family’s safety.

A hidden spare key

If you have a spare key under the doormat or underneath a plant pot outside then this may sound like a good idea, especially if you lose your keys or find that you have a bit of an emergency situation on your hands. If you have a spare key outside then you may find that burglars have free access to your home and this is the last thing you need. You may think that your key is very hidden too, but experienced burglars tend to know all of the possible places where a home-owner may end up hiding their key, and if you aren’t careful, you could end up handing them your possessions. Your home insurance probably won’t cover you for things like this either, so be mindful of this and make sure that you’re not compromising your home’s safety through not being aware of how obvious your spare key location is.

No alarm

Alarm systems are usually visible at the front of a house, and this alone can be a great deterrent to criminals. If you want to further safeguard your home, then you should invest in a wireless burglar alarm. If you do this, you’ll discover that it can lower your home insurance premiums and lessens the chance of your property being targeted by burglars.

Second entryways

Do you have a second entry point to your home? If the answer is yes, then you remember to close and secure it whenever you go out. When you exit your home, you may automatically think about locking your front door, but you need to remember that your back door provides just as much access. Criminals can easily gain entry to your home through an unlocked back door when you’re out, not to mention that it gives them more privacy too. If you want to do something about this, then make sure that you lock the back door before you leave the house. If you can do this, then you’ll find that things end up working in your favour, and that your home is more secure as a result.

Signs your home is unoccupied

Your house may sometimes be unoccupied for long periods of time, such as if you go on holiday for a week or two. On such occasions, you should make sure that it’s not too obvious. The signs of a vacant home can often be obvious, and if this is the case with your property, then you have to make sure that you take steps to avoid this. It may be that you have a ton of junk mail piling up outside the front door. Lights off in the evening can also be a sign that you’re away from home, so you need to be proactive. Pause your postal subscriptions if you know that you’re going to be away when they’re to be delivered and put a couple of lamps on an automatic timer so that they come on at dusk and off again at dawn each day.

Poorly lit areas

Do you have any outdoor lighting on your property? Are your front and rear entrances properly illuminated? If not, then this can provide an opportunity for criminals to try to enter under the cloak of darkness.

If you want to secure your home, then you need to make sure that you are not making it an easy target for criminals to break and enter.

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The best ways to upgrade your home security after moving in

The best ways to upgrade your home security after moving in

When you first move into a new place, one of the first things you should consider is how secure you’ll be in the new location. You can’t be certain who has keys and spare keys from the previous owner, and you might not trust the security measures that they had in place. With that in mind, we’re going to take you through some of the home security improvements that you might want to make to your new property.

Invest in a safe

Investing in a safe or strong box is definitely a good idea if you want to make sure that you’re able to securely store your most valuable possessions without worrying about them when you’re not at home. That way, even if someone manages to break into your home, you can be confident that items such as cash, jewellery and official documents are out of the way and inaccessible to burglars.

Set up a fresh security system

If the home you’ve just moved into doesn’t have a very modern or up-to-date security system in place, that’s something that you’ll certainly want to work on and change as soon as possible. With a fresh security system installed such as CCTV and access control from Scaitec Security, you can guarantee that it offers all the features you need in order for you and your family to feel safe in the home.

Change the locks

Changing the external door and window locks in your home is probably one of the first things you’ll want to do when moving into a new property. As we mentioned previously, it’s impossible for you to know who has spare keys from the previous owner, and it makes sense to be safe. Therefore, find locksmiths in your area who can carry out the lock changes for you. You’ll then know that only you, and anyone else you give your keys to, can get into the home.

Ensure the garage is secure

The garage is often one of the easiest entry points for people looking to break into your home. It’s something that home-owners often overlook, but that shouldn’t be the case. Fitting secure locks on the doors and windows of your house is all well and good, but it won’t have much of an impact if the garage isn’t secure enough to keep out people who shouldn’t be there.

Light up the surrounding landscape

Lighting up the surroundings around your home is definitely an important way to make your home more secure. It’s a well-known fact that burglars prefer not to target homes that are well-lit or have motion-activated lights installed around the perimeter of the property. In addition to proper lighting, visibility plays a crucial role in home security. Installing a driveway mirror can help eliminate blind spots, making it easier to see approaching vehicles or individuals. If you haven’t already considered these upgrades, they could make a considerable difference in keeping your home safer.

It’s definitely a good idea to put some time and effort into thinking about ways you can upgrade your home security. The peace of mind that comes with knowing your family home is secure is priceless, so don’t overlook or delay in resolving these matters.

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3 areas where home privacy really matters

3 areas where home privacy really matters

Depending on where you live, the amount of home privacy you are afforded can differ. For instance, if you live in quite tight terraced housing or in a block of flats, relaxing out in the courtyard or on your balcony will no doubt be visible by others that have a similar, uniform home set-up.

Yet it’s also true that in many homes, the privacy situation depends on what arrangements we make, how we approach certain sight lines from certain properties and where you consider privacy to be the most important. For instance, it might be that you’d like to sunbathe, read and have your children play in the garden without worrying about being watched or overlooked. This is why many families, if they have the room for it, might implement hedging or plant a line of trees along the perimeter of their property, particularly if that obscures the view of their neighbours.

For the most part, much of this depends on what preferences you have. But what about the areas where home privacy really does matter? In this post, we’ll discuss that, and what investments you can make to secure it.

Bathroom with opaque glass panel for home privacy

Your bathroom/toilet areas

No matter where the bathrooms are in your household, it’s important for you to feel like you have thorough privacy in there. This is especially important in ground-level cloakrooms where the bathroom may be visible to passers-by if you don’t implement a solution. Worthwhile blinds, frosted glass and even opaque glass-like window applications can make a massive difference in keeping this space totally invisible to those from the outside. Also, make sure that you double up on these necessities where possible – because even frosted glass may not be enough when the room is backlit at night.

People socialising at a pool party

Your entertainment areas

When you’re entertaining friends, you don’t want to be observed by your neighbours, especially if you’re getting a bit silly and drinking or jumping in the outdoor pool and hot tub. This is where installing composite fencing can be worthwhile, as it will block sight lines from other properties. Gazebos or garden rooms can also make a massive difference, as can parasols or porch awnings. This kind of approach can help you relax in your garden in peace.

Green front door with glass panels

Your front door/corridor

It has become quite popular for some homes to install front doors with glazing that allow for natural light to filter through into the property. This does mean however, that people can more readily see if you’re at home, or if you’re walking around the house in your bath towel. Installing wooden doors with structural strength, as well as remodelling the areas where side windows may have been, can help ensure that no one can see into your home. A good intermediate solution is to use a dark, relatively translucent curtain that allows light in and allows you to see outside, while also preventing interior light from penetrating outside.

With this advice, you’ll see ways in which home privacy really can matter and how to go about achieving it.

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Tips on how to make your home more secure

Tips on how to make your home more securecredit

Decorating your home is much more fun than implementing security measures, but it needs to be one of your top priorities. It’s only natural for people to become a bit too comfortable if they live in a relatively safe area, but you can never be too safe. The safety of yourself, your family and all your belongings relies on it. There’s no need to make your home a prison or a place ready to face a zombie apocalypse. But, there’s a need to make a few changes both inside and outside the house to make it more difficult for people to access your property. Follow these few tips on how to make your home more secure.

Locking French doors

#1. Secure the doors

The number one place of entry is usually through the front or back door. Don’t help a burglar to stroll right into your home – inspect all exterior doors to make sure the hinges are protected and the door frames strong. Today, the build of a door may not be enough to ensure sufficient security of your home. You can choose to install a deadbolt. A deadbolt is a locking mechanism that cannot be moved to the open position except by rotating the key. If you’re more into technological security systems, you can upgrade to smart locks and video doorbells. Smart locks are keyless door locks that allow you to control the door by using a smartphone application. This may sound very techy, but it’s an extremely safe option and way more efficient, especially when you’re prone to forgetting your house keys.

Latch and key on a UPVC window

#2 Lock the windows

This is an important security measure that needs to be taken into account in all households. What does a burglar do when the doors are locked? They search for any other type of easy entry that’s available. When your windows aren’t locked, don’t be surprised when you return home to an empty house. Mere window latches can’t be trusted as they’re easily breakable and unreliable. Adding burglar-proof window bars will make it impossible for someone to gain entry. You can also install window or glass break sensors that will immediately set off an alarm when something untoward is happening.

Double bulb outdoor security light

#3 Light it up

If you’re afraid of the dark, this is a security tip that will make you feel more at ease. A property that’s well lit is far less likely to be intruded, seeing as there aren’t as many places to hide compared to a property that’s dark and has ample space to move around in without being seen. Keep intruders away by installing outdoor lighting. It’s a good idea to install lights in your driveway, pathways in the garden, at every entry door and in the backyard. If the idea of having lights on all night long doesn’t appeal to you, try installing motion sensor lights that only illuminate when they’re triggered by movement, or put the lights on a timer. These lights can also be powered with solar energy, which is a great option if you’re worried that your electricity bill will increase.

Red garage doors

#4 Don’t forget the garage door

The garage door is the new favourite entry door for criminals, and it’s because most garages are open during the night. Often when you drive home, you get out to open the garage, climb back into the car, park it, then forget to close it again. It’s only human to forget things that take effort. Make it a new habit to lock your garage doors inside and outside. It may feel like a lot more trouble, but at least your home will be safer. If you want to make it easier for yourself and the other people in your household, consider upgrading to an automatic garage door. In order to operate an automatic garage, you and your family will receive a remote with which to open and close the garage door. It can be tricky to install more than one remote on the automatic garage door mechanism, but there are loads of tutorials you can watch that will give you tips on How to program a multi code garage door remote.

Unfortunately, there’ll always be people in the world who will try to invade your private space for their gain. In most of these scenarios, the intruders won’t consider your safety, which is your main concern. Intruders are getting smarter every day, so the harder you make it for them to gain entry the better for you. These may be the deciding factors for them to try their luck elsewhere.

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