Easy Ways to Secure Your Residence for Little to No Cost
Every homeowner wants to keep their loved ones and valuables safe from break-ins and burglaries. But not every homeowner has the monthly budget for a home security system and monitoring service.
Yes, state-of-the-art home security systems are great. But they’re not the only way to ensure that your home is protected and that your family is safe. There are plenty of simple, cost-effective ways to secure your property, and some of them don’t require any monetary investment. If you’re looking into inexpensive options for residential security, look no further. We’ve got you covered.
Look for deals and use coupons and promo codes.
First of all, you can probably find deals on a lot of the items mentioned in this article at big retailers, whether you’re looking for a “Beware of Dog” sign or door jamb. Start your shopping on sites like eBay, where you can often score inexpensive safety equipment and tech that’s barely been used. Also, search for ebay coupons and promo codes so you can save even more on your purchases.
Keep your locks updated.
There are several reasons why you should change or rekey your locks regularly. Here are just a few:
- Someone you don’t know could have a key.
- The locks could be damaged or worn out.
- The locks could easily be picked.
Updating your locks periodically can help instances like these from happening.
Use your locks.
Of course, you need to actually use your locks as well. This includes any doors that lead outside, as well as all your windows. Most burglars roam around until they spot a home with easy access, and a lot of break-ins happen through the front door or a first-floor window. Even when you’re home, keep your doors and windows locked. Moreover, even if you live in a generally safe neighborhood, you never know when an outsider will pay your neighborhood a visit to look for easy targets.
Don’t hide your key in an obvious place.
You also don’t want to leave your spare key in a spot that’s easy to guess. Under the front door mat or above the door trim are among the first places an intruder will check. Think of a less-obvious location, and change it every few months.
Reinforce your doors and windows.
If you have older doors and/or windows, it’s worth evaluating their condition to make sure they’re up to the task. Consider replacing any hollow or broken entry doors with steel, fiberglass, or solid wood doors. If that’s not in your budget, you can add reinforcements like barricades or jambs. Also, assess any windows that need replaced, as well as any hardware on your doors and windows.
Get a dog.
This is a fun one: Get your very own security dog! Not only will you gain a companion, but a canine will prove loyal and protective of you, your family, and your property. Large dogs tend to be the most intimidating to intruders, but even a medium-sized dog with a fierce bark can do the trick. Visit a local animal shelter, and you may find a canine companion that you can adopt.
Fool burglars.
Lastly, you can fool burglars in several different ways. Even if you don’t have a dog, put out a couple “Beware of Dog” signs around your property. Also, put some fake security signs in your front lawn, and stick decals on a few of your windows. If you want to take it even further, mount a dummy security camera or two. Most of the time, burglars won’t test their luck.
You don’t have to spend a lot of money on home security to protect your family and property. Implementing tips like these will typically get the job done—just be sure to search for online deals for anything you need to purchase. A safer residence will provide you and your family with more peace of mind, which is something money can’t buy.
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