HomeFinder.com Opening Doors Blog

Oh the quiet suburban life: a close community, wide spaces, and familiar neighbors. More space and privacy can sometimes invite more attention from intruders so home security must be considered. Taking the necessary security precautions and home maintenance steps will help keep your suburban life feeling secure and ensure your family is safe from harm.

Below are some ideas to give to clients once a home is purchased in the suburbs, or if you have purchased a home of your own.

Safeguard Your Home

● When you buy your home, replace the locks to ensure you are the only one with a copy of your house key.

● Identify points of entry for intruders, such as unsecure windows and doors, and replace or fix them.

● Inspect the lighting around your home. If there is not enough, install more lights, especially around possible points of entry.

● Trim your lawn and landscaping around your house to eliminate hiding places for intruders.

Consider a Home Security System

● Deploy home automation features that allow you to lock and unlock doors from anywhere so you don’t have to leave a key under the mat.

● Installed cameras will record your property and catch intruders in the act or while they are scouting your home.

● Motion sensors around doors and windows will catch intruders who are trying to enter your home.

● A home security system can also be set to automatically lock doors and turn lights off or on.

Practice Safe Habits

● Always lock the door after yourself coming in and out of the house and make sure back, side and any other doors on the outside of the home are locked as well.

● Close and secure all windows and doors before going to bed–especially if they are on the ground level.

● Set light timers to give an appearance of habitation on both the inside and the outside of the home–especially when you are away for an extended period.

● Always shut the curtains at night, so intruders cannot see into your home.

● Don’t leave possessions such as cars, bikes and toys in the front yard overnight.

Establish a Positive Rapport with Neighbors

● Learn more about your neighborhood safety groups like Neighborhood Watch.

● If there is no Neighborhood Watch group available, start one by talking to your friends and others around your neighborhood.

● Let your neighbor know how to recognize suspicious activity around your home.

● Leave an extra key with a neighbor rather than hiding it somewhere around your house.

● Communicate with neighbors when contractors are coming to your home.

This was a guest post from Sam McBride who writes the home security blog for SafeMart.com