Moving to a new house is always an exhilarating experience. But once you settle in, another challenge emerges—how do you keep it safe and secure?

According to FBI data, a property crime takes place every 4.4 seconds. Naturally, protecting your home from unexpected trouble should be your top priority as a homeowner.

What measures can you take to strengthen security? Here are our top tips.

1. Opt for Smart Locks

Smart Locks by Nuki Sebastian Scholz (Nuki)

Regular key-operated locks have protected homes for centuries. However, they present a few obvious problems.

The need for a physical key to gain entry is often inconvenient for households with multiple occupants. This has led to unsafe practices, such as hiding spares under rocks and doormats.

Keys are also more accessible to lose and steal, which is another risk factor you want to avoid. If you suspect someone has access to your front door key, you will likely need to change the entire lock.

Smart locks help address these concerns. All you need to do is set up a security code, which you can easily share with your family and change as and when you like.

However, avoid using birthdays and other easily guessable number combinations, and ensure your security code is unique and challenging for a stranger to figure out.

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2. Install Security Cameras

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Security cameras provide extra peace of mind by enabling you to keep track of intruders remotely. Even when you are at home, you can stay clear of unsavory individuals by checking who is at the front door before letting them in.

Cameras can also deter burglars and other criminals and significantly reduce the risk of a potential crime taking place.

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3. Store Your Valuables in a Secure Location

To avoid regrets, many experts recommend storing valuable items off-site whenever possible.

For instance, consider keeping expensive jewelry in a safety deposit box at a bank. Even if you experience a break-in, you can rest easy knowing that your favorite possessions with a high price tag are safe elsewhere.

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4. Lock Away Tools

Burglars and petty thieves often use tools and equipment they find on a property to break in.

For example, they could use a ladder to climb up to an open window on an upper floor, a knife to pick a lock or a crowbar to break glasses.

Once equipped with a heavy or sharp tool, they can even cause physical harm to a home’s occupants.

Therefore, it is essential to safely store regular utensils, tools, and appliances that a criminal could use to their advantage.

If you plan to keep them in a shed or garage, cover the windows to make it difficult to see what is inside and install sturdy door locks.

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5. Pay Attention to What You Dispose

You would be surprised how much information an intruder can learn about your personal life, activities, and what you possess by rummaging through your garbage.

This is why mindful disposal of certain materials is critical for the safety of your home and loved ones.

Shred personal documents, such as printed copies of bank statements and invoices that carry identifiable or confidential data, before disposing of them.

Also, discard packaging materials of expensive items with care. These could hint at a recent high-priced purchase to outsiders.

6. Never Leave Your Home Empty for Prolonged Periods

Most property crimes occur when homeowners are not around. So, ensuring your house is not left unoccupied for long is important to avoid possible break-in attempts.

When going on vacation or business trips, ask your family and friends to occasionally drop by or stay over.

Another trick is setting up smart devices, such as lights and music players, so you can turn them on remotely when you are not home. This could give outsiders the impression that someone is home, so anyone opportunistic may keep away from your property.

7. Learn More About Your Neighbors

Neighbors can share live or recorded footage from their cameras Vivint

Why is this important? Sometimes, those living closest to you may have a sinister past or background that could jeopardize your safety.

Fortunately, you can learn more about your neighbors and verify their stories quickly and conveniently using the internet.

Getting to know next-door residents could also help strengthen your relationships with them. Remember, living in a tight-knit community where neighbors look out for each other can make you feel safe and secure, especially when you are away.

8. Know Your Roommates

Many people share their homes with strangers to earn an extra income or to split the rent. But this practice can be risky if you are not careful.

People can lie about a variety of information, from their names and criminal records to prior residences.

So, Nuwber recommends verifying a potential roommate’s background information before deciding to live together with them. You can, for example, search their name or phone number online to check their details and where else they have previously stayed and with whom.

The information you find could enable you to get to know them better and make a more informed decision when selecting a roommate.

Summary

Protecting homes from criminals is a challenge many homeowners constantly worry about.

However, you can quickly strengthen your property’s safety with a few simple security measures and practices.

Installing smart locks and security cameras are essential features for modern-day homes. Although these can be costly, they can save much more in the long term and may even enable you to reduce your insurance premium.

A cautious attitude and smart housekeeping practices can also go a long way when protecting your home, its occupants, and your possessions. For instance, store valuables in a separate secure location, keep tools locked away, discard personal items with extra care, and take necessary precautions when you are away for extended periods.

Learning more about those living next door to you and strangers with whom you might share your home is critical, too, for identifying and avoiding security threats.

If you live with family, discuss the importance of home security with your partner, kids, and anyone else staying with you. Help them understand how to minimize potential risks and create a safe and secure home.

Check out The GearBrain, our smart home compatibility find engine. It can help you find, buy, and connect any smart device. It can even help you find other smart devices or systems that are compatible with your existing smart devices, such as Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa-enabled devices.

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