New Homeowner? Here's How You Can Secure Your Home

People are generally most concerned with the furniture and decor when moving into their new homes. While both are extremely important, they pale in comparison to securing your new home. Burglaries are a common occurrence, and you might want to find a way to protect your precious belongings.

Here are some of the most effective methods to secure a new house.

Address the doors

Inspect all exterior doors and make sure the frames are in excellent condition. Additionally, the hinges should be well-protected. Also, ensure that an intruder can't reach the door handle through the mail slot.

When moving into a previously occupied residence, hire a dependable locksmith to change the locks. Strangers won't be able to enter the house using the old keys.

Here are some other quick entryway reinforcements:

• Installing a deadbolt

• Upgrading to a smart lock

• Adding a strike plate

• Mounting video doorbells

Secure the windows

Windows are another common entry point. Unfortunately, window latches don't always do their job. They should be beefed up with key-operated levers and locks. Other options include reinforcing glass using window security film, installing window break sensors, adding window bars, and planting prickly bushes under windows.

Light up the landscape

Burglars and vandals prefer to stay out of lit areas, which is why lighting is an excellent deterrent. A house with lights throughout the front and backyard, pathways, near the garage, and around other structures is one that intruders won't be as eager to target. Plus, the risk of the occupants stumbling at the front steps will be much lower.

Tackle the garage

Garage doors are also a vulnerable entry point for criminals. Even if they can't access the house, they might be able to make off with valuables stored in your garage. That's if one makes it a habit to lock all doors leading to the garage.

It would help if you also considered keeping the garage door opener inside the house to prevent burglars from retrieving it from the garaged vehicles. Keep the security codes secret, too, and don't use them in the presence of neighbors and strangers. Smart garage door openers and extra locks are also highly recommended.

Install security cameras

Security cameras are helpful on multiple levels. They deter unauthorized entry and may hold evidence of any crime perpetrated. Many come as part of home security systems, although some of them arrive separately.

Either way, security cameras that work with mobile apps offer real-time footage and storage, which can come in handy in a crime scene investigation. Other valuable features include motion detection, Wi-Fi, night vision, two-way talk, weatherproof casing, and cloud or local storage.

Get a dog

Besides being a trusted companion, dogs can be a reliable security measure. They bark when someone is trying to enter your yard or house. Their mere presence alone may be enough to deter burglars.

Kwik Pick Lock and Safe offers FREE lockout service for children or pets. If you need locksmith services for your Surprise, El Mirage, or Phoenix home or auto, call today! Bill 623-300-1889.