Safety and security are two things that are very important when it comes to a house. While they may seem like the same thing – and they are, in fact, very similar – they are two different things, and your house must have both. Let’s start with safety. Safety involves all safety aspects in a home – from people breaking into possible emergencies such as a fire. Security, on the other hand, has one main focus: keeping your house free of intruders. In this post, we’ll be discussing a few measures you can take to keep your house both safe and secure.
Alarm Systems
The main function of an alarm system is to alert you of possible intruders. This can be done in various ways. Your alarm system can let off a siren-like noise, or it can send a message to your phone. You can also set it up to alert your security company so that they can get to your house if you can’t or if you are in the house and unable to contact them. They often work with motion detectors, but this can be a problem sometimes since you or your pets may accidentally trigger it. Another option is to have a door alarm that alerts you when someone tries to open your door.
Cameras
Having security cameras can have many benefits when it comes to your house’s safety and security. Firstly, it may deter possible intruders, as people are less likely to commit a crime when they know they may possibly be identified. Secondly, it allows you to see what’s happening in your house, no matter where you are, since most camera systems have an option where you can view footage on your phone. And finally, it gives you the opportunity to see what is happening in all areas of your house, without having to get up and look.
Burglar Bars
Burglar bars are an easy way of deterring people from entering your house. Even if you live in a relatively safe area, if you have an open window, it could be very tempting for someone to enter your home. Yet, at the same time, keeping your windows closed all the time isn’t ideal either. Burglar bars are a win-win: you get to keep your windows open but have peace of mind. Keep in mind that it’s also a good idea to keep your garage secure. There’s no point in having burglar bars if someone can easily enter your garage and gain access to your house that way.
A Fire Alarm
We’ve already spoken about the importance of a security alarm system, and now we’re going to talk about an alarm system that has to do with safety rather than security. And that is none other than a fire alarm. You might be thinking to yourself that you’ll surely know if there’s a fire in your house. And yes, you likely will notice it, but by the time we notice it, it’s often too late. A fire alarm will be able to alert you to the slightest possibility of fire, which should give you enough time to either evacuate or get rid of the fire. Of course, you should check your fire alarm regularly to make sure the batteries are still working. Otherwise, there’s no point.
Get A House Sitter
We all know that empty houses are much more likely to get broken into. That’s why it’s a good idea to have a house sitter when you go away, especially if it’s for a long time. This way, there’s someone at your house even when you’re not, which means burglars may be scared off. Not to mention the fact that a house sitter will be able to make sure that everything is in order so that you don’t come home to a nasty surprise, such as a tap that was accidentally left open. If you’re still not convinced, you can click here to learn more about the advantages of having a house sitter.
Have An Exit Plan
It’s a good idea to sit down with all members of the household and talk about emergency strategies. While it’s not a fun thought or conversation to have, you need to be prepared for the worst. This includes having a plan for if the house is ever being robbed or if there is a fire. It is, therefore, also a good idea to have an exit plan. Go through your house and think of different ways to escape the home if there is an emergency.
Look At The Area
Crime can happen anywhere; we all know that. But, unfortunately, some areas are more prone to crime than others. So, if at all possible, try to get a house that is in a relatively safe area. It’s also a good idea to make sure that your home isn’t too secluded – this way, your neighbors can hear if something goes wrong, and also that it is not too close to a forest or anything that can allow possible intruders to get away and hide after a crime. That being said, how exactly do you know when a neighborhood is safe? The best way, of course, is to talk to people who live there, but it may also be helpful to check out some apps and tips.
Get A Dog
Another way to improve your house’s safety is to get a dog. Of course, bigger and louder dogs are more likely to scare off intruders, but even if you get a small dog, they will likely bark and alert you if anything is wrong. Dogs are also very intuitive, meaning they won’t only alert you to burglaries, but they may also pick up if something else is wrong, such as a fire. Not to mention that you’ll have a bit more peace when you leave the house, as your dog will be there to protect it when you aren’t there. Aside from that, dogs generally make a lovely addition to a household, and there are many other benefits to having a dog that doesn’t have to do with safety.
