In Ireland, home prices have steadily risen, with a 6.3% year-on-year increase in early 2024. Despite inflation, property values in Dublin rose by 9.3%, and nationwide growth reached 8.6% in June 2024. Securing your home becomes even more crucial as real estate prices climb.
These rising costs explain why home security is paramount. Whether you are making a significant investment in a new house or staying in your place due to a reasonable mortgage rate, the last thing you want is to feel unsafe or have the trouble and expense of a break-in. The good thing is that you do not necessarily have to make it complex to protect your home. It can be made safe using various tools such as security systems and straightforward home security tips.
5 Home Security Tips Every Homeowner Should Know
The key to improving the safety of your home is to think like a burglar. As criminals look for easy targets and avoid all situations where they might get caught, keeping this in mind helps you figure out ways to make your home unappealing to them.
1. Add Outdoor Lighting
A well-lit home is not as appealing to burglars. The most effective way to discourage criminals is to install outdoor lights since they cannot hide in the dark. Install lights that are bright enough to illuminate your entire house exterior. Motion-sensing lights are even better because they catch the intruders off guard and add an extra layer of security.
2. Secure Your Doors
Lock your doors. It's not that this will keep a persistent burglar from entering. Some doors can be kicked in, even when the lock isn't broken, because of a weak point in the metal plate holding the lock, known as the door jamb. Most locks today include a strike plate, so check your old ones and make sure to secure them with 1.5-inch screws. This minor upgrade makes it very hard for intruders to force their entry into your home. For superior security, using 3-inch stainless steel screws can make doors nearly impossible to kick in or pry open.
3. Install a Video Doorbell
A wired video doorbell is valuable to any home security system, allowing for better control over your front door. Often, criminals knock on a door to check if someone is at home before intrusion. A video doorbell notifies you about someone near your door, sometimes even before they ring it. You may communicate with that person, which often turns intruders away. Also, video doorbells prevent package theft.
4. Install Outdoor Cameras
Cameras installed outside can further help with the security of other parts of the home and, in return, amplify your video doorbells. Advanced analytics or AI-integrated cameras can distinguish between friendly visitors and potential dangers. With cameras placed in plain sight, the burglars are forewarned that the property is under watchful eyes and is less likely to result in break-ins.
Just the fact that cameras can be enough to ward most burglars off. Install cameras where necessary, the view at driveways, backyards, and entrances. To secure during nighttime, get cameras that can work on infrared or low light to keep visibility at all times. A wired floodlight camera can be a great addition to burglar-proof your home!
5. Landscape Design
Landscaping can pull double duty when it comes to home security. Keeping shrubs and hedges all below two feet and tree canopies above six feet removes hiding spots for would-be intruders. Place thorny plants underneath windows or along the fence line to act as a deterrent. All tools, ladders, and other outdoor equipment should be secured. Ladders can be chained to a fixed structure, while sheds should always be locked to bar access to your home through these means by would-be burglars.
Also, consider installing gravel paths around your dwelling. A Solar Panel Camera can take surveillance a step further and help keep you aware of those moving around and going in and out of your house. The crush of footsteps on gravel will be another alert to homeowners and restrict access for prowlers. Equipment like ladders and tools should be securely stored outdoors, as they may be used to gain entry by burglars. Store such items in secure, locked sheds or chain them to fixed, strong structures like poles and walls. It will keep access away and make your home less inviting to potential threats.
The Bottom Line
Adequate home security depends on the layering of diverse efforts toward comprehensive protection. Combining outdoor cameras, strategic landscaping, securing outdoor tools, and installing an alarm system protects your home from every angle. Want to secure your home? At Aura Smart, we work tirelessly to protect your homes from intruders, so contact us now or call us at 0876 905 805 for more details!
