When most people think of home security, they think of alarm systems, video cameras and motion detectors.
These are all important tools that can be put into a home security solution, but the more important home security component is something that many never even consider.
The doors of your home are your first defense against would-be intruders and should be taken into careful consideration.
Here are some tips that can help you make sure that your doors are secure.
Be sure that doors are locked at all times.
Unauthorized entry can happen when you are at home; just as easily as when you are away.
By making a habit of keeping your doors locked, you can reduce the risk of someone entering your home.
Choose doors that are made of sturdy materials that are not easily broken.
Metal and solid wood are the best choices.
Doors that have accents such as glass panels should have double-keyed locks to prevent a thief from reaching through broken glass to unlock the door.
Be sure that all entry doors are protected by deadbolts, as well as locking doorknobs.
Even doors leading from garages and outbuildings should have double protection.
If someone was to break into the garage area, the rest of your home would be at a lesser risk with additional locks on the door to your home.
Place bars or cages over entry doors that have large glass panels.
This can help to prevent burglars from breaking through the glass and entering your home.
Sliding doors should always be locked and barred, for extra security.
Even those on upper floors can be accessed with ladders or fire escapes.
Be sure that the door is not easily lifted off its track.
Even if the entry doors of your home are secure, be sure to have sturdy locks on garages, sheds and gates to keep an opportunity from presenting itself to a criminal.
By keeping them away from the entries to your home, you decrease the chance that they will come up with a creative way of entering your home.
There are may other things that need to be taken into consideration when handling home security issues, but by starting with securing your doors, you can increase the security of your home quickly.
Having a good door and lock system on your home can create a first line of defense that has the potential to cause would-be criminals to give up before doing any damage or violating your personal space.
Should Your Home Security Systems Be Monitored? Home security systems can be a major expense for many homeowners.
There are many different options to choose from, each with its own set of benefits.
Many companies who sell and install security systems in homes also offer monitoring services, at a monthly cost.
Many pass on this option, thinking that it is an unnecessary expense, but in reality, having your home monitored by professionals can provide benefits that are well worth the costs.
Benefits of a Monitored System Those who choose to have their home security systems monitored will have protection for their families around the clock.
Through the monitoring service, help will be summoned when any emergency situation arises, either automatically or through the push of a single button.
Depending on the system or monitoring service, the specific features vary, but they can include: oFire department calls through monitor button or smoke alarm monitoring.
oPolice calls in case of burglar alarm being activated or through a panic button feature.
oEmergency medical service calls through the alarm keypad or through wearable panic buttons.
oAdditional monitoring alerts for carbon monoxide, which can be relayed to emergency services.
These benefits are on top of those offered by an unmonitored system, such as theft deterrence, audible alarms and video surveillance.
Who Should Have Monitoring While ideally anyone who has a home security system installed in their home should have some type of monitoring in place to maximize the effectiveness of their system, there are some groups that need it more than others do.
The elderly should be sure to have monitoring systems in place, as it can sometimes be difficult for them to call for the help that they need.
Families with young children should also have monitoring options activated on their security system, to increase safety.
Those who spend large amounts of time away from home should consider monitoring, as well.
Monitoring can be a second set of eyes or hands, summoning help for you and saving precious moments that could save a life in an emergency.
If you have a home security system in place or are considering installing one in your home, be sure to look into having your home monitored.
Though the expense may seem frivolous, having that added security when you need it will be well worth the expense, if something should happen.
The safety of your family and home, is certainly worth more than a few dollars a month.
These are all important tools that can be put into a home security solution, but the more important home security component is something that many never even consider.
The doors of your home are your first defense against would-be intruders and should be taken into careful consideration.
Here are some tips that can help you make sure that your doors are secure.
Be sure that doors are locked at all times.
Unauthorized entry can happen when you are at home; just as easily as when you are away.
By making a habit of keeping your doors locked, you can reduce the risk of someone entering your home.
Choose doors that are made of sturdy materials that are not easily broken.
Metal and solid wood are the best choices.
Doors that have accents such as glass panels should have double-keyed locks to prevent a thief from reaching through broken glass to unlock the door.
Be sure that all entry doors are protected by deadbolts, as well as locking doorknobs.
Even doors leading from garages and outbuildings should have double protection.
If someone was to break into the garage area, the rest of your home would be at a lesser risk with additional locks on the door to your home.
Place bars or cages over entry doors that have large glass panels.
This can help to prevent burglars from breaking through the glass and entering your home.
Sliding doors should always be locked and barred, for extra security.
Even those on upper floors can be accessed with ladders or fire escapes.
Be sure that the door is not easily lifted off its track.
Even if the entry doors of your home are secure, be sure to have sturdy locks on garages, sheds and gates to keep an opportunity from presenting itself to a criminal.
By keeping them away from the entries to your home, you decrease the chance that they will come up with a creative way of entering your home.
There are may other things that need to be taken into consideration when handling home security issues, but by starting with securing your doors, you can increase the security of your home quickly.
Having a good door and lock system on your home can create a first line of defense that has the potential to cause would-be criminals to give up before doing any damage or violating your personal space.
Should Your Home Security Systems Be Monitored? Home security systems can be a major expense for many homeowners.
There are many different options to choose from, each with its own set of benefits.
Many companies who sell and install security systems in homes also offer monitoring services, at a monthly cost.
Many pass on this option, thinking that it is an unnecessary expense, but in reality, having your home monitored by professionals can provide benefits that are well worth the costs.
Benefits of a Monitored System Those who choose to have their home security systems monitored will have protection for their families around the clock.
Through the monitoring service, help will be summoned when any emergency situation arises, either automatically or through the push of a single button.
Depending on the system or monitoring service, the specific features vary, but they can include: oFire department calls through monitor button or smoke alarm monitoring.
oPolice calls in case of burglar alarm being activated or through a panic button feature.
oEmergency medical service calls through the alarm keypad or through wearable panic buttons.
oAdditional monitoring alerts for carbon monoxide, which can be relayed to emergency services.
These benefits are on top of those offered by an unmonitored system, such as theft deterrence, audible alarms and video surveillance.
Who Should Have Monitoring While ideally anyone who has a home security system installed in their home should have some type of monitoring in place to maximize the effectiveness of their system, there are some groups that need it more than others do.
The elderly should be sure to have monitoring systems in place, as it can sometimes be difficult for them to call for the help that they need.
Families with young children should also have monitoring options activated on their security system, to increase safety.
Those who spend large amounts of time away from home should consider monitoring, as well.
Monitoring can be a second set of eyes or hands, summoning help for you and saving precious moments that could save a life in an emergency.
If you have a home security system in place or are considering installing one in your home, be sure to look into having your home monitored.
Though the expense may seem frivolous, having that added security when you need it will be well worth the expense, if something should happen.
The safety of your family and home, is certainly worth more than a few dollars a month.