Home security systems are some of the best modern innovations of our time. Gone are the days when homeowners solely relied on manual locks to keep their homes safe from intruders. Today, security cameras, burglar alarms, motion detectors, and other types of technology are almost fool-proof in securing a home and its occupants.
Despite these innovations, it is still a good idea to supplement them with old-fashioned home security measures and gadgets that can also serve as backups in case your security system fails. So aside from having state-of-the-art tech, here are some of the best security measures and gadgets to apply to your home:
1. Train your dog
For business owners, hiring reliable armed contract security officers is one of the most effective ways to keep their property safe. Unfortunately, this is not a feasible option for homeowners (unless you have a sprawling property that needs extra security). Your next best bet at a live security ‘officer?’? Your dog!
Of course, not all dogs can be guard dogs, but you can train them to alert you of a stranger’s presence on your property. Most dogs already do this by default, but if you have a friendly dog that barely barks at anything, you can have them undergo special training for this purpose (or train them yourself). Moreover, having a dog on the property can also be a deterrent for criminals, as the mere presence of a dog makes your home a less easy target.
2. Replace your locks
If it has been a while since the locks on your doors and windows have been replaced, it may be high time to install new ones as older locks tend to be more breakable. Moreover, if your house still has the locks from when it was owned by the previous owner, replacing the locks will prevent anyone who has the old keys from entering.
When installing new locks, choose ones that are high-quality, durable, and very difficult to break without making a racket. The same goes for padlocks that you use outdoors. Since padlocks can be broken by a hand saw or a hammer, investing in heavy-duty padlocks will lead to a potential burglar making a lot of noise before they can break the lock, thus alerting you of their presence.
3. Increase outdoor lighting
Dark areas around your home can serve as hiding places for intruders. The best way to avoid this is by increasing your outdoor lighting with LED lights. Illuminate your backyard, your front yard, the back door, the driveway, and other places where criminals may be tempted to hide in. If you want to save money on the electric bill, however, install motion-detecting lights which only turn on when they detect movement within their range.
4. Place signage around your property
You don’t have to have an actual security system to place security system signage around your home. Even if you don’t have a security system, criminals won’t be willing to test if you do have it once they see the signage. The same goes for signage that denotes the presence of guard dogs and security cameras. You can find these types of signage at a bookstore or in online stores.
5. Trick burglars when you’re going away
Doors and windows locked? Check. Garage secure? Check. Security system programmed? Check. You’ve ticked off everything there is to do before leaving for vacation. Unfortunately, your house may still become an easy target if burglars see that no one is home.
Luckily, you don’t have to pay for a house sitter or have a neighbor check your home every day while you’re away. With some nifty gadgets, you can trick burglars into thinking that the house is occupied. Here are some examples:
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Fake TV.
This gadget can make it look like someone is watching TV in the house from the outside.
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Indoor lights with a timer.
Have the lights inside your home turn on automatically during a specific time. If you have a smart home, you can also program your lights to turn on and control them remotely.
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Alexa or Google Home.
You can play music on these devices to scare off potential neighbors. You can even play videos with random conversations to make people think that the house is occupied.
These traditional security measures and not-so-high-tech gadgets can add extra layers of protection to your home. While a security system is one of the best ways to keep your home safe, using these additional strategies is always a good idea. After all, no home can be too secure, and you will have more peace of mind knowing that you have backups.
