{"id":4428,"date":"2017-06-19T08:54:25","date_gmt":"2017-06-19T12:54:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/24-7-home-security.com\/?p=4428"},"modified":"2020-08-27T09:44:16","modified_gmt":"2020-08-27T13:44:16","slug":"how-to-secure-your-new-home","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/24-7-home-security.com\/how-to-secure-your-new-home\/","title":{"rendered":"Just Bought a New House? How to Secure your New Home!"},"content":{"rendered":"

Congratulations on your new house!\u00a0 Now is a great time to lay the foundation for a safe and secure home.<\/p>\n

I\u2019m here to walk you through the must-have improvements to your home that are practical and offer a significant security boost.<\/p>\n

Purchasing a new home is a big accomplishment, and while it might be easy to get lost in the excitement of purchasing and moving furniture, decorations, and even painting, it’s also important to look into keeping your new home and family safe.<\/p>\n

Whether you are interested in investing in a traditional home security system with professional monitoring, or you would like to set something up that allows you to do the monitoring yourself, there are plenty of options out there for multiple levels of security.<\/p>\n

Of course, only you can decide what your risk level is and how safe you need to feel to sleep well at night!<\/p>\n

From door and window sensors to smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, it might seem a bit overwhelming to figure out where to start.\u00a0 Even if you live in a place that doesn’t have a high crime rate and it seems like a good, safe neighbourhood (see how to prevent burglary<\/a> by checking your probability of getting robbed), you will still get peace of mind from investing in some home security equipment (either professional or do it yourself types).\u00a0 Here’s a solid guide to keeping your new home as safe as possible!<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

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How to Increase the Security of Your Doors<\/h2>\n

When you first move in, make sure that one of the most important things on your priority list is to ensure that your front, back, and garage doors are well protected.\u00a0 There are many different ways to go about protecting your doors, and since 70% of completed burglaries start by the intruder entering a door<\/strong>, keeping your home safe by focusing on the doors in your home is a vital part in home security measures.<\/p>\n[skill_bar heading=”Before you harden your door” percent=”100%”]\n[skill_bar heading=”Remaining burglaries after you follow the steps below” percent=”67%” style=”background-color: #5fb341″]\nWe already wrote a comprehensive guide to front door security<\/a><\/em><\/strong> and about door security devices<\/em><\/strong>, but we\u2019ll cover the must-haves again briefly here.<\/p>\n

One of the first things you should do when you move into any new home is to change the locks on all of your doors.\u00a0 You can’t be sure how many keys to those locks are floating around out there – maybe the previous owners kept a few.\u00a0 In order to be as safe as can be, make sure that changing the locks are way up on the priority – and don’t forget to install deadbolt locks on your doors as an added security measure if they don\u2019t already have them.<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re buying new dead bolts, look for a long latch, drill resistant locks, and tamper proof pins to discourage picking, raking, and lock bumping.<\/p>\n

Next, reinforce those doors!\u00a0 Since so many burglaries are done by breaking down the front door or back door of a home, one thing that you can do to reduce your exposure is to purchase a solid, steel-wrapped door.\u00a0 While these doors can still be split and broken down, it drastically cuts down ease of breaking in for the intruder, causing them to put more force into entry and taking a longer time than it would if the door was a standard wooden door.<\/p>\n

You can even buy high security doors that still look like wood, so they\u2019re no need to feel like you\u2019re living in prison.\u00a0 You can have good looks and security<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Along those same lines, you may want to rethink doors with large panes of glass in them.\u00a0 While they may let a lot of light in, they\u2019re also an easy target when a burglar is looking for a quick way into your home.\u00a0 At a minimum, security film (3M is recommended) on the glass can withstand multiple strikes, keep a burglar outside making noise for longer, and perhaps cause him to rethink your home as a target.<\/p>\n

\"tiny
This one is a joke<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/p>\n

To add more security to your door, try strengthening the strike plates too.\u00a0 A strike plate is a small metal plate that is on your door jamb.\u00a0 When someone attempts to force open the door, a great deal of that force is placed on the strike plates.\u00a0 By adding longer screws to your strike plate and making sure it is anchored into the studs framing your door, you are adding to the amount of force that the door can handle before it yields.<\/p>\n

Adding a door stop to your door is another way to help protect against intruders \u2013 one is the OnGuard Security Door Brace.\u00a0 You install the brace by screwing it into your floor up against the door.\u00a0 Then if anyone tries to break in by forcing the door open, they have a very difficult time getting past it since the force is stopped by the door hinges, strike plate and latch, and the door brace at the bottom.\u00a0 It’s a bit pricey, at $100, but is quite effective in helping to keep intruders out of your home.<\/p>\n

However, if you have hardwood or laminate flooring, it may not be your first choice because you will have to screw it into your floor.\u00a0 The next person to buy your house may not be as security-conscious as you are!<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

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A Short Guide to Securing Your Windows<\/h2>\n

While most windows already have window locks, it can be beneficial to ensure that they are working properly. Some window locks are flimsy and aren’t in proper working condition, which gives intruders an easy way to get into the home. All it takes for some locks is a screwdriver to pop them off from outside or a putty knife to slide them open, and your burglar is inside in under 30 seconds.<\/p>\n

To secure against brute-force entries, many companies also sell window films for home security purposes – they are ultra clear, so that you may not even notice their presence on your window. They work by holding the window together for a short time after being struck with a hard object, taking vital time away from the intruder, and giving you or your neighbours more time to call the police and to prepare to defend yourselves.<\/p>\n

Pin locks are also helpful devices to use on your windows, and are quite simple to install. By drilling a hole into your window frame, you can insert a pin that prevents the window from opening easily, preventing the window from being opened. You can use a simple nail to do the trick, or order pins for the window online (check out <\/a>\u00a0our post on DIY home security tips<\/a> for more details).<\/p>\n

Be careful though, you don\u2019t want to break the seal on your windows and ruin their insulating value. You should also know that drilling into your windows may void their manufacturer\u2019s warranty.<\/p>\n

With that in mind, some simple rods in the tracks can be a simple and cheap alternative to pin locks.<\/p>\n

\"sliding
If you want, you can paint it to match your door<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/p>\n

Door and window sensors are one of the best ways to protect your home against intruders. They work by being placed on the door frame and window frame, and if an intruder forces his or her way into the home, the sensors sound an alarm. If you pair this with a home security system (either a professionally monitored system or a do it yourself system), the sensors will connect to the main hub, and notify you through your smart phone (or e-mail) that the alarm has been sounded.<\/p>\n

If you have a professionally monitored system, the alarm company will be notified that the alarms have been activated and will call the police on your behalf. And even beyond that, a lot of systems have cellular backups so that crooks can’t just cut your internet cable coming into the house to disable your system.<\/p>\n

The down side to a door\/window sensor is that they won\u2019t pick up on a burglar just busting the glass in a sliding door and stepping through the frame.<\/p>\n

For that case, another helpful tool to add to your home is a glass break sensor – these can be placed in any room with doors and windows, and can sense when glass has been broken in the room, sending a notification to the main hub of your security system, which will then alert you and your alarm company, if applicable.<\/p>\n

The same function could be done by a motion sensor in the room, but the glass break sensors will give you that extra 20 seconds of response time.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Smart Fire and Carbon Monoxide Alarms<\/h3>\n

The importance of purchasing smoke and carbon monoxide alarms has been instilled in us since we were in elementary school, and while the need for them definitely hasn’t changed, their abilities definitely have!\u00a0 Even if you still choose the normal variety of smoke and carbon monoxide alarms for your home, you are still adding another level of protection that will work to keep you and your family safe from disaster.<\/p>\n

Did you know that fire causes more property loss each year than burglaries do?\u00a0 Make sure you\u2019re not part of those statistics!<\/p>\n

So, what makes smart fire and carbon monoxide alarms so special?\u00a0 Well, these alarms are great, especially when used in conjunction with a smart hub or security system.\u00a0 Smart fire and carbon monoxide alarms have the ability to detect the presence of smoke or carbon monoxide in the air, like traditional alarms, but they also have the ability to alert you about it, which is handy if you aren’t home.<\/p>\n

Some of them even operate off of WiFi and don’t even need a hub, check out our review of the Roost Smart Battery<\/a> for one of the best ones.<\/p>\n

\"Roost<\/a><\/p>\n

If the alarm goes off, the smart hub at your house will send you alerts, either through e-mail or push notifications on your smartphone.\u00a0 If you are using a professionally monitored security system, the alarm company will be notified of the alarms going off, contact you to verify the alarm, and then proceed to send over the fire department.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

The Last Defense: Home Security Systems<\/h2>\n<\/div><\/div>

Home security systems are also an obvious way to protect your new home from intruders and potential break-ins.\u00a0 There are so many different home security systems available, both professional and do-it-yourself style systems, and it can be difficult to figure out exactly what you are looking for when it comes to features, design, and whether or not you wish to have a contract for professional services.<\/p>\n

But, there\u2019s no arguing that they work.<\/p>\n

“Most convicted burglars (90%) said they want to avoid homes with alarm systems and said if they did encounter an alarm, they would abandon the attack on the home (check out some other DIY home security tips here<\/a>).\u00a0 So installing and using a home security system can be a great deterrent, prevent and protect against break-ins!<\/p>\n

Also, according to a research paper titled Understanding Decisions to Burglarize from the Offender\u2019s Perspective<\/a>, which goes inside the mind of burglars and looks at their decision making progress, “83% of the burglars would try to determine if an alarm was present before breaking in, while 43% of the burglars would never continue a break-in with an alarm present (check out more burglar deterrents and statistics here<\/a>).\u00a0 Those statistics really up your home defense odds with the purchase of a home security system!<\/p>\n

If you are looking for some great, unbiased information to compare various home security systems from someone who isn\u2019t trying to sell you something, check out our home security systems comparison<\/a> page. It also has links to all of the systems we have reviewed in one spot.<\/p>\n

Home security systems can be as simple as calling a professional security company to come and install the equipment.\u00a0 Or, they can also be more do-it-yourself focused.\u00a0 You can install the equipment on your own and allow professionals to do the monitoring, or you can do the monitoring too.<\/p>\n

And don\u2019t forget cameras!\u00a0 A security camera is a great way to confirm a break-in, and it\u2019s a known fact that the police response much more quickly<\/em><\/strong> to a robbery that you are watching on video than a security system alert.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Final Thoughts on Securing Your Home<\/h2>\n

When you invest time and money into a new home, you want to keep it safe, so it is important to look into taking measures that will allow you to keep your home, family, and possessions safe.\u00a0 Reinforcing your doors, windows, and locks are a great start, as is looking into smart smoke and carbon monoxide alarms and home security systems.<\/p>\n

And since home security systems are such a great deterrent, make sure you consider your options there too.<\/p>\n

Throw all of these together, and there’s no reason you should be able to rest well at night knowing that you\u2019ve done your best to protect your family and possessions.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

I hope I saved you a few minutes. Be sure to sign up for more security tips and tricks<\/a> if you found this article helpful.<\/p>\n<\/div>

Do me a Solid and Share this With Your Friends!<\/p>

<\/i><\/a><\/i><\/a><\/i><\/a><\/i><\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Congratulations on your new house!\u00a0 Now is a great time to lay the foundation for a safe and secure home. I\u2019m here to walk you through the must-have improvements to your home that are practical and offer a significant security boost. Purchasing a new home is a big accomplishment, and while it might be easy … Read more<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":4693,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"no","_lmt_disable":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[],"modified_by":"Christy","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/24-7-home-security.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4428"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/24-7-home-security.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/24-7-home-security.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/24-7-home-security.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/24-7-home-security.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4428"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/24-7-home-security.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4428\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/24-7-home-security.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/4693"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/24-7-home-security.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4428"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/24-7-home-security.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4428"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/24-7-home-security.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4428"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}