Home Security in the New Year
Make Home Security Resolution The new year is almost here and so is the long list of New Year’s resolutions that you want to commit to so you can improve your life. One of the ways you can improve your life is through your level of home security. These are resolutions that can be applied to business security as well, such as adding surveillance cameras where they need to be or upgrading existing cameras to ones that have better picture quality. Regardless of whether you need improved security for home or business reasons, here is a list of home security resolutions that you can use to make life a bit safer for you, your family, your belongings, your business, or all your interests: Improve Your Habits Make sure doors are locked, the security system is set, batteries are changed in smoke detectors, and that lights are on when they need to be. Install timers for lights, especially before going on vacation, and make sure you have good outdoor security. A home or business that is lit up is one a thief is more likely to stay away from. Consider Adding Extra Home Security It may not be enough to have an alarm because thieves can strike other parts of your property. Surveillance cameras can capture who is outside. If someone breaks into an outbuilding or tries to break into your house, you can acquire footage that will help authorities catch the culprits. Replace Outdated Home Security Systems Homeowners and business owners should replace outdated security systems. If you have an old system, you can do better. Today, systems include fire and carbon monoxide detection. You can also add motion detectors and more sensors. Many possibilities exist. Just talk to a security company specializing in advanced systems. You can even turn your home into a smart home. This makes your life more convenient. In fact, home automation is very popular now. You can remotely arm your security system, unlock doors, turn lights on and off, and even adjust your thermostat. You can do all of this from your smartphone. Change Your Passcode If you already have a security system, it is good to change your passcode. Having the same passcode all the time is a security risk. In fact, it is good to change it a couple times a year. Now is a good time to change it for the first time this year. Make sure you give the new code to everyone who needs to have it and remind them not to share it with anyone. Lock Outside Buildings Lock your outside buildings. Add outside video surveillance for better security. You also want motion lights that turn on when someone enters your property. Light always helps defend against burglars. Buy a Fireproof Safe If you haven’t already, you need a fireproof safe. While the security system, motion sensors, video cameras, and window and door sensors are all designed to keep thieves out, having valuables in a fireproof safe can give them even more protection in case someone does get in. One of the first places a thief visits when inside a home is the bedroom. When inside a business, they will go to the office in hopes they can find money, catch a cash register on the way, or break into the safe. Call Your Rochester Home Security Company To make yourself safer this year, consider investing in a modern home security or business security system. If your home or business is ever broken into or someone attempts to do so, you will be very glad that you protected everything you care about in this way. Call SPS Fire & Security today at 585-770-0348 to learn more.
Is Your Level of Home Security Enough?
Is Your Home Security Enough? Your home security matters most. After all, your home is where you and your family should feel safe. Without good security, you risk becoming a thief’s target. This can truly harm your sense of safety. Below, you’ll find a checklist that will help make sure your home is secure. The Home Security Checklist First, check your doors. Do you have strong deadbolts? Make sure they work. Next, look at your windows. Do they lock well? Add extra locks if you need them. Install a security system. This alerts you and the police if someone tries to get in. Use video cameras. Place them where they can see doors and windows. This helps catch intruders. Get a paper shredder. Shred all papers with your personal details. This stops identity theft. Buy a large, bolted-down safe. Keep important papers and valuable jewelry inside. Clean up your yard. Trim bushes and trees. This removes hiding spots for burglars. Use smart lights. Set them to turn on and off. This makes it look like someone is home. Ask a trusted person to check your mail when you are away. This avoids signaling an empty house. Finally, avoid posting vacation plans on social media. This keeps burglars from knowing you’re gone. Security Around the Exterior First, check all doors. Do they have strong deadbolts? Make sure they lock properly. Next, inspect your windows. Do all windows have good locks? Add extra locks or bars for ground-floor windows. Trim your shrubs and trees. Cut back tall bushes and low-hanging branches. This removes hiding spots for burglars near your home. Install motion-sensor lights. Place them near doors and dark areas. These lights surprise intruders and alert you. Get a security system. Choose one that covers your doors and windows. This warns you and the authorities if someone tries to enter. Add outdoor security cameras. Position cameras to watch entry points. They record any suspicious activity. Use smart lighting. Set outdoor lights on a timer or use smart bulbs. They can turn on and off automatically, making your home look occupied. Secure your garage door. Make sure it has a strong lock. Also, consider a garage door opener with rolling codes for extra security. Lock your sheds and gates. Don’t leave tools or equipment outside. Thieves can use them to break into your house. Finally, post security signs. Place signs from your alarm company in visible spots. This way, potential burglars know your home is protected. If you are lacking in any of these areas, rectifying them can be the difference between being a target and not being a target. Get a Professional Security Check You can choose a professional security check. A good security alarm company will visit your home. They will find weak spots for you. This way, you can install a security system that makes your home safer. You can add different things to your system. These include video cameras, motion sensors, and full home automation. You decide how much or how little you want. However, you can’t really put a price on keeping your family, yourself, and everything in your home safe. Stay Away from These Home Security Deterrents There are some burglar deterrents that don’t work so well. It is good that you know what these are so that you know not to use them. Those failed deterrents include: Hide your alarm clues. Don’t give burglars details about your alarm system. Instead, put up a general sign that says “Alarm” or “Monitored.” This tells them you have protection without giving away specifics. Don’t hide valuables in your bedroom. Professional thieves know people hide things there. Therefore, your bedroom is often their first stop. They look for jewelry boxes, money under the mattress, and other valuables. Use light timers. If your lights stay on all the time, burglars will notice you’re away. Instead, install timers. This makes it look like someone is home. Handle your mail. No mail at your house tells people you’re gone. So, ask a friend or family member to stop by daily. Give them a key to bring in your mail and your alarm code. This person can also come at different times, which stops burglars from seeing a pattern. Even better, a house sitter can stay there often. Consider a small dog. Big dogs are nice, but they don’t always bark as much as small dogs. Small dogs often make a big fuss when someone is at the door, which can scare off intruders. Increase Your Buffalo, Rochester, or Syracuse Home Security Today! So, now you have ways to keep your home as safe as possible. By using this checklist and avoiding mistakes, you can make your home feel truly secure. To learn about your security options, call SPS Fire & Security at 585-770-0348 for a free consult.