Secure doors
The most common type of entry into a house is via the front door. However, there are many different types of door, and each one offers advantages and disadvantages. For example, steel doors are strong and durable, but heavy and difficult to install. Wooden doors are easy to install, but wooden frames tend to warp over time. Glass doors offer excellent visibility, but glass panels can break easily. There are even specialised doors designed for specific purposes, such as fire doors, garage doors and sliding patio doors.
Another way to secure your doors is to install smart door sensors, which will trigger an alarm and alert you on your mobile devices when doors are opened unexpectedly when your home is supposed to be locked. These door sensors are easy to install and will notify you from anywhere in the world.
Secure windows
More than a third of burglaries are committed through windows. Burglars know that windows are easy targets because they provide access into homes without being seen. They are also easier to break into than doors. This makes it much less likely that homeowners will be able to defend themselves against a burglary attempt. A window’s individual vulnerability will vary depending on several different factors. These include the accessibility of the window, the quality of the fabrication, the strength and installation of the glass, and the visibility of the window to neighbouring properties or passers-by.
Like doors, windows can also be fitted with smart window sensors to detect when they’re opened inappropriately or broken. These sensors are inexpensive, easy to install, and can provide you with significant peace of mind. You can configure them to alert your mobile device, to automatically notify the authorities, or both.
Attention to lighting
The benefits of good lighting are well known – it makes us feel safer, happier, healthier and calmer. But did you know that lighting can also deter criminals? Research suggests that improved lighting can help reduce crime and stop burglars in their tracks. So, what does this mean for homeowners? Well, it could mean that your home is less likely to become a target for thieves. And, if you do experience a break-in, you will be able to see potential offenders clearly and call the authorities immediately.
Appropriate lighting will help to increase visibility around your property. This means that people passing by will notice your house more easily, making it easier for them to report suspicious behaviour. If you live alone, having adequate lighting outside your front door will allow you to check whether anyone is lurking outside without being seen.
Smart lighting systems can also be configured to turn on and off according to set schedules. For example, if you’re on holiday you can set your lights to turn on and off at certain times of day to mimic someone being home — this sort of automated routine can be significant deterrent to potential burglars.
Home alarms
Keeping doors and windows locked is the most basic way to protect yourself against burglaries. But you can do better than just locking up the house. You can make sure that those locks work properly by installing a few inexpensive door and window alarms. They’re easy to install and operate, and many models include motion sensors that detect movement within a certain area.
If you want to keep burglars away, consider adding some noise. A loud siren or strobe light might scare off potential thieves, especially if it goes off every time someone inappropriately opens a door or window. If you live alone, you could set one of these devices outside your front door and activate it manually. Or you could buy a model that automatically activates itself based on motion detection.
The best home alarms include professional monitoring, which means that a trained team will receive an immediate notification anytime your home alarm is triggered. They quickly and efficiently determine whether or not the threat is likely legitimate, and then interface with the authorities to ensure a rapid response.
Secure your wireless internet
Home wireless networks are a gateway to your personal and financial data. Hackers are constantly trying to gain entry into your home network, whether they’re looking for credit card numbers, passwords, banking credentials or just want to see what else is happening inside your home. It connects everything from your thermostat to your baby monitor. So how do you protect your family from cybercriminals? Start by securing your wireless router.
A hacker needs three things to compromise your wireless network:
1. An open door
2. A password
3. A device capable of intercepting data
If you’re like most people, your wireless router is probably set up to accept connections from devices inside your home. This makes sense because it allows you to connect multiple devices without having to run cables throughout your house. However, anyone within range of your router can easily gain access to your entire network.
Make sure that the password you’ve chosen for your wireless router isn’t easy to guess. A good rule of thumb is to choose a strong password that includes both upper case letters and lowercase letters, numbers and symbols. For example, “password123!” Also, change the default login username and password. This way, even if someone gets hold of your router, they won’t be able to log in without knowing the correct username and password combination.
Install security cameras
You’ve probably heard about the recent spate of break-ins and robberies in neighbourhoods across Ireland. But did you know there are ways to keep criminals away from your property? Security cameras aren’t just for keeping an eye on your kids anymore. They’re also great tools for protecting your home. If you want to keep track of what’s happening inside your house, there are several options. Some systems include motion sensors that trigger alerts when something moves around your property; others let you view live video feeds. Some even include night vision. Either way, having a good set of cameras will help deter thieves, give you peace of mind, and make sure you don’t miss anything important.
Some of the most popular security cameras are doorbell cameras, which allow you to see anyone who approached your front door. They often include motion sensors and will automatically record any activity for you to review later. When combined with a smart home, doorbell cameras can allow you to see who is outside and automatically unlock the door — from anywhere in the world. This can be especially convenient if you need to let a friend or neighbour into your home to fix something while you’re away.
Leverage home automation
If you’ve ever thought about turning your regular house into a “smart home,” security is one more reason why you should go ahead and do it. Home automation offers many benefits beyond just keeping track of who’s coming and going. For example, it lets you automate lighting, thermostats, doors, and even TVs. With a few smart gadgets installed around your house, you can monitor what’s happening inside and outside while you’re out of town. And because you’ll always know exactly where everyone is, you won’t miss any important messages or calls. Plus, you can set up automated routines like turning on the lights and heating system when someone arrives home, and shutting everything down when everyone leaves.
