The Essential Beginner’s Guide to Home Security

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Home security is more important now than it ever was before. With the challenges society is facing, you have to worry about increased crime rates, people acting out of desperation due to massive economic issues, and various other issues that might make your home a prime target for anyone trying to get by or looking to do something malicious.

That’s why we’ve created this ultimate guide to home security. To teach you the various aspects of protecting your home that you’ll want to ensure you implement into your residence.

We’ll cover the various areas you need to protect the most, the tools needed to do that, and how to get the job done right.

Let’s get started.

The Main Entrances of Your Home and How to Protect Them

When securing your home, it’s best to think of your property as a culmination of several distinct parts. For the average home, we can break this into three main locations that are targeted by intruders.

  • Front Entrance
  • Back Entrance
  • Garage

Front Entrance:

The front entrance of your home is a key place to protect. Not only is it the most obvious entrance, but it’s also where you’re going to find package thieves that are highly unlikely to be caught unless you’ve protected the area thoroughly.

This is not the most likely approach for serious criminals looking to break into your home, but the more brazen variety might just try to waltz through your front door.

Here are the things you need to do to prevent these problems.

High-Quality Lock and Deadbolt:

Invest in a high-end security knob that is known for its difficulty to pick, and don’t forget to buy the best deadbolt you can. No lock is full proof, but the better the lock, the more likely it is you’ll waste so much of an intruder’s time that they give up.

Also be mindful of who has a key to your home.

If you have moved into a new property, have ever lent your keys to friends who house sat for you, or have gone through a separation, their may be spare keys in the hands of people you don’t want to have access to your home. In these cases, you should opt to have your locks rekeyed.

Door Camera:

A door camera is key for a couple of reasons. First and foremost, porch pirates will likely be targeting your porch for a quick snatch and run. Without a camera, the police are highly unlikely to find the criminals and bring them to justice. With one, you’re almost certain to get them on camera.

Second, many door cameras also allow for real-time viewing from a remote area. Even if you’re out of town, you can get a notification that your door is being messed with, check the feed to see if it’s someone who is supposed to be there, and notify the police if they’re not.

Alarm:

If the two tools above fail, and you’re not able to manually notify the police, an alarm that immediately alerts the police is crucial. The noise may scare them off immediately, and if not, the police are on their way.

Back Entrance:

This is exactly like your front entrance, but it’s more likely to be targeted by burglars and the rest who want to get inside. Obviously, you won’t have to worry about porch pirates since packages aren’t left at most back entrances.

For this one, use the same measures detailed in the front entrance section.

Garage:

The garage is often neglected by many homeowners. However, it’s an extremely common entry point for intruders regardless of their intent.

This is most likely because of how easy many homeowners make it to access their garage.

Windows are left with insecure locks, doors are left wide open or unlocked, and many extra garage entrances are lackluster at best when it comes to the security they provide.

Couple this with the high-value items they usually contain, and garages are prime targets.

Outfit your garage with the following:

  • The latest lock technology on the garage door and any extra entrances.
  • Alarm system with direct-to-police alerts.
  • High-end window locks and window jams.
  • Cameras with live-feed access via mobile app inside the garage and covering the exteriors of all entrances.

Your garage is probably neglected, but it’s a prime target. Make sure you secure your garage as soon as possible.

Secondary Security Considerations

The three main areas we mentioned above are where thieves and malicious criminals target you the most, but there are also secondary locations you need to protect. As such, here are some tips that will help you make the most of your efforts.

Windows & Over-Looked Access Points:

Windows and doggy doors are often neglected, but thieves know this, and they frequently target them. This includes windows on second or third floors, too. A determined thief isn’t afraid of a little climbing to get what they want.

Beyond that, it’s a good idea to secure any cellar doors with hefty padlocks and ensure that any cellar entrances indoors are highly secured to prevent intruders from getting to the main portion of your home if they manage to break into the cellar.

Sheds and other on-property buildings typically don’t need the same level of security as your home but using the best locks possible and using window jams can prevent thieves from entering at the very least.

Finally, camera placements aren’t just for entrances. While all your entrances should be covered, it’s also a good idea to have cameras that capture side views of your home, without interfering with your or your neighbors’ privacy, and any secondary buildings such as sheds. While they won’t stop intruders, they will make it far easier for police to administer justice.

Tips for Home Security

Here are a few tips to ensure these security implementations go as smoothly as possible and provide reliable results.

  • Get a qualified locksmith to perform all installations. They know what they’re doing, and they can ensure you have the proper locks installed in the most effective way.
  • Cameras aren’t optional. You need them to monitor your home and collect evidence in the case of a criminal getting away.
  • Reassess your home’s security annually. Make sure the locks are still functional, your cameras are capturing footage, and there are no weak spots in your security system.

Secure Your Home, Today

With everything going on in the world, you need a safe home to return to. You can ensure your home is safe and secure by following this guide and making sure you implement our tips as much as possible.

Stay safe out there.

Jeff Campbell