By Angie Hicks
From Ask Angi
July and August are some of one of the busiest vacation times of year, and unfortunately, that means people of ill intent will be around.
More than a million burglaries take place in the U.S. every year. However, securing your home doesn’t have to be expensive or time consuming. A few quick and easy home safety tips can help prevent break-ins and keep your home and family safe.
Add Lighting
Make your home feel more safe and secure by installing exterior lighting. Flood lights will help deter trespassers and give you better visibility at night. Installing solar-powered lights or motion detectors will help keep energy bills down and prevent too much glare at night.Install Blinds and Curtains
These can give you more privacy and hide your expensive belongings. You can also install a one-way window film for even more daytime privacy. Blinds and curtains also tend to improve energy efficiency in summer by blocking heat from entering the home.Reinforce Your Entry Doors
Reinforcing your entry doors is a great way to make your home more secure. Hire a professional to come in and install longer screws to make your locks more secure.While you’re at it, double-check the locks on your doors and windows. Your regular entry doors, sliding doors, windows and garage door should all be securely locked. Your garage door, if unlocked, provides easy access to your house, and you don’t want to give thieves access to any tools and valuables in the garage, either.
Be Careful With Your Spare Key
If you keep a spare key outside, move it regularly and make sure it stays hidden. Potential thieves know that nearby rocks or mats are common places to stash spare keys. (If necessary, write down where you move it in case you forget.) You should also change any keypad codes several times a year or as often as possible.Add Security Cameras or a Video Doorbell
These are becoming more and more popular, and they’re a great way to keep an eye on your home no matter where you are. And with recent advances in technology, you can place security cameras in discreet areas that won’t detract from curb appeal.Use Home Automation or a Security System
Thanks to modern technology, you can take a more active hand than ever in your home security. You can install security systems that will alert you if a door or window opens when they’re not supposed to. Even if you’re halfway across the world, you can get an alert and even real-time video images directly on your phone or mobile device. And by ordering 24/7 monitoring, your security company can alert authorities if something goes wrong. These systems also protect against fire.Lock Down Your Wi-Fi Network
It can be tempting to go without a password, but a password provides a vital line of defense. If any passerby can log into your system, your home is vulnerable to digital attacks.Keep a Safe for Valuables
It’s a wise idea in general to lock up your most valuable possessions and paperwork (such as birth certificates) in a fireproof safe. Not only does this protect against thieves, but it makes it more likely your valuables and documents will survive a house fire or other natural disaster.Tweet your home care questions with #AskingAngi and we’ll try to answer them in a future column. Copyright 2024 Ask Angi. Visit at angi.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
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