Protecting your property is highly important. Aurora Master Locksmith
strongly recommends all homeowners, whether you live in Aurora, CO, or
anywhere else in the world, to regularly keep all of their security in
check
This is just basic home maintenance. You would re-paint
your walls when there are obvious signs of chipping, so why not replace
security systems that are no longer up to standard?
The trick is
identifying when you need to enhance your security. Which is exactly
what we hope to explain to you today. Read on to find out everything you
need to know about reaching optimal security levels.
When to improve your home security
We
will start by looking at the best times to do a security audit. The
situations we are listing here tend to occur when properties are at
their most vulnerable. Remember, burglars are opportunistic – they will
always be on the lookout for an easy loot. So don’t make your property
look exposed or easy to access, and you will save yourself from much
bigger problems.
Without further ado, here are our recommendations.
1. Make a full security audit when you move into a brand new home
This
is by far the very best time to improve your home security. You don’t
know how many people the previous owner gave keys to, nor do you know
whether the security systems in place are otherwise reliable. Install
new locks and security systems as soon as you move into a new property
to get full peace of mind over who can access your home at any given
time.
2. Going on vacation? Time to take precautions
Remember
what we said about thieves being opportunistic? It doesn’t matter how
long you’re away for, burglars always keep an eye out for properties
that look empty. Make sure all your alarms are working and lock
everything up, but also find a way to make sure that your property looks
occupied while you’re away. We’ll provide you with some tips on doing
this later in this blog post.
3. If you’re making renovations, you need to be cautious
People
will be coming in and out of your property, day in and day out.
Builders’ tools may be left outside, someone could forget to close a
door behind them, or you may just get distracted while tending to
numerous deliveries. As you can probably guess, all these factors could
make your property more vulnerable to a break-in. Be as vigilant as you
can in this situation, and make sure that all valuables are hidden in a
safe place.
4. Check everything when the clocks go back after daylight savings
Summer
is out, fall is looming in, and with the seasonal change come darker
evenings. Incidentally, that tends to be the time where some places may
experience a slight increase in burglaries too. So take care during the
seasonal change to ensure that all your locks and security systems are
in good working condition.
5. Stay put during Christmas/the holiday season
With
people rushing to buy presents, heading out of town to visit their
families, or otherwise socializing and celebrating the end of another
year, properties become even more vulnerable. Not
only because
you are out of the house more frequently, but also because of the allure
of newly-bought gifts. This is where you need to make sure that nothing
in your property is left in full view of thieves.
Now you know the when, let’s focus our attention on the how.
How to ensure your property is protected
Having
the right locks, hardware and security systems is only the beginning.
In order to cover all bases, we will focus on a combination of basic
checks as well as additions that will keep your home secure.
1. Check your insurance
This
is crucial for identifying your current protection demands. It’s worth
checking whether your insurance offers that right levels of cover in
case your valuables are stolen. Read the fine print, phone up your
insurance company to clarify anything you are unsure about, and make
sure you know exactly what you’re getting.
2. If you have a good relationship with your neighbors
Suggest
them to take turns helping each other out. Think small gestures like
watching their property while on vacation (and vice versa), collecting
their mail, and so forth – basically, things that would make the house
look occupied while they (or you) are away.
3. Protecting the outside
Put any ladders, bikes, or tools away in a locked shed or garage; make
sure your front and/or side gates are locked; and install outside lights
with motion sensors. Very simple gestures like these can make a deal of
a difference.
4. Protecting the inside
If
you’re going to be away for a few days, set lights to a timer so it
looks like there are people inside; keep any valuables out of sight and
away from windows; make sure to close curtains and blinds in the
evening. Again, simple precautions that really go the distance.
Reviewing your security
Now,
we get to the specifics. When it comes to increasing your home
security, you can readily rely on a licensed and insured locksmith to
provide you with everything you need to keep your property protected.
Among the various features they could install into your property, you
will find these popular – and highly effective – security components:
Locks, deadbolts, and other types of hardware
* Not only for your doors, but for locking up your windows and garages too
Keyless entry systems and CCTV surveillance
*
Often these two go hand-in-hand. They are also highly recommended for
more control over who can access your property as well as reducing any
stress caused by a loss of a house key.
Intercom and alarm systems
* Again, very good deterrents that will help you closely watch over your property
Safes
*
Whether you need to protect a gun or some valuables, these are
guaranteed to do the job. What’s more, because thieves are looking for a
quick getaway safes offer a greater sense of deterrence too.
This
is just a very brief overview of the different things to look out for.
Consult your local locksmith for more information as they can guide you
on how to best protect your home. Locksmiths are highly knowledgeable
about these things, and may even suggest some ideas which you may not
have previously thought about.
