The holiday season is a joyful time of year, but it can be ruined in a moment. Crime rates tend to rise during this time as thieves take advantage of families’ travel and break into homes. If you want peace of mind, prepare for the holidays by taking on the following home security projects, recommended by the experts at Today’s Homeowner.
1. Install a Fence
Installing a fence provides your home with a first line of defense. The extra obstacle will help deter would-be thieves from attacking your home. Fall is a good time to install a privacy fence because spring is the busiest time of year for these installations, and fencing contractors often need to work between weather changes, which means higher prices. Fall has fewer rainy days and the ground is often dry enough for fence posts to properly set.
Best of all? An attractive fence will also increase the value of your home. Not only does it increase the kind of home privacy that many people look for, but buyers with children and pets will appreciate an enclosed yard.
2. Get a Security Camera
A video surveillance system can help you keep an eye on your home even if you’re hundreds of miles away. Many surveillance systems connect to an app accessible on your smartphone, tablet and computer, so you can see if unauthorized individuals attempt to enter your home.
You should install cameras at all your home’s entrances. If you can, cover the front door, back door, side door and garage. It’s also good to install cameras in trees and other hard-to-reach places to cover other parts of the home, should someone attempt to break in through a window.
Many security systems include cameras as part of the package. If you can, invest in a full system. You can often find great deals at places like Costco. Make sure that some of the equipment is visible; it also helps to have a sign with the security company’s name staked in your front yard. After all, thieves are less likely to target homes that they know have monitored security.
3. Fix Your Garage Door
A faulty garage door can be a big security weakness, especially because many people forget to lock the door between the garage and the house. Garage doors that get stuck, and only partially close, are security hazards. Your garage door may also start to close before opening again. If this is the case, check the sensors.
A garage door that is left open because you didn’t notice it changing from closed to open is an invitation to criminals. If yours is malfunctioning, look into garage door repair. Often, problems can be solved by just cleaning the track and lubricating some of the moving parts.
4. Focus on Outdoor Lighting
Yes, outdoor lighting can make your property look festive and inviting, but it also has the added benefit of deterring criminals. Well-lit walkways and entryways make it difficult to sneak into a house, so often thieves will bypass the house entirely. Motion-activated lights are especially useful as they are likely to attract the attention of people in your home as well as neighbors.
Having a home security plan will greatly improve your peace of mind this holiday season. You don’t want to waste your holiday feeling uneasy about your home’s safety.
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