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Sometimes just locking your door isn’t enough to keep intruders out of your home. When you’re trying to protect your family and everything that you’ve worked hard for, you likely have some things that you can do to bring you peace-of-mind. One of the things you can do, occasionally, is to evaluate your homes security. This enables you to maintain your peace-of-mind in knowing that you’re home security is still effective. If you’re moving into a new home, this is when you’ll really need to evaluate your homes security. There may be locks that are obsolete or locks that do not belong on the doors they are on. In some cases, there are some doors and windows that do not have locks at all.
When you have a lot on your mind, you may neglect to take your home security into consideration. If you want an easy way to evaluate your homes security, we have developed a few things that will help you immediately increase your homes level of security and offer you the peace-of-mind you deserve.
Your Home Security Checklist
Evaluating/Installing Deadbolt Locks – This isn’t something that should be ignored or taken lightly. It could be difference in your receiving an unexpected visitor or not. Since it is the most durable of all locks, it instantly maximizes your homes security. Most homes already have existing deadbolt locks. It is always a good idea to replace existing locks since someone may still have a key. If you decide to keep the ones you have, you’ll need to have the locks rekeyed. In order to make sure you have the right level of security, you’ll need to make sure that the locks are made from the most durable materials. Not every deadbolt is created with the same kind of material and that is why some are more durable than others. The best type of deadbolt lock is usually a steel one. If you decide to keep existing locks, just make sure they are made of steel and if they are not, replace them.
It is also important to make sure that the bolt of the deadbolt goes at least an inch inside the doorframe. If it doesn’t, there is the possibility of your lock being compromised. Invest in the type of lock with a free-spinning cylinder or a tapered cylinder. If it isn’t this type of lock, someone could break the lock, especially a seasoned professional. A single deadbolt lock is the one used most frequently since it only requires one key to open it. I is the double cylinder deadbolt that you should really evaluate before having it installed on your doors. This is because a double cylinder lock requires that you have a key for both sides of the door in order to open it. If you are not able to find the key and there is a fire or something, you will not be able to get out. You can ask any locksmith about the advantages and disadvantages of this type of lock if you are interested. If you have deadbolt locks, make sure that you use them in order for them to effective in keeping out intruders.
Evaluate Entryway Doors – You should also make sure that your entryway or exterior doors have deadbolt locks on them. Before placing any type of locks on the entryway doors, you should make sure the door is of good quality. You will need a sturdy door that cannot be easily kicked in. This would require your door to be a solid core door that is tough all the way through. It is able to withstand pressure applied to it no matter how much pressure it is. If the existing doors are hollow core, make sure that you replace them with a heavy-duty door that can withstand pressure. If these doors have glass windows on them, install unbreakable glass. If someone can break the glass of your door, they can access inside your home.
Evaluate and Install Outdoor Lighting – You might think that having outdoor lighting simply adds curb appeal but it does more than that, it can be a good deterrent for burglars. Make sure that there is enough lighting around your home to alarm anyone passing by to a possible burglary. Your outdoor lighting should be installed along the driveway, walkways, garage and facing all exterior doors. If the lights that you have in place are not in good condition they are no good to you. Check to make sure all of the lights that you have installed, work.
Cut Bushes & Shrub – Even if you have lights around your home, it could be possible for someone to lurk around your home behind bushes and shrubs. This should be a regular part of keeping your home safe. If there are bushes, flowers, trees or plants in front of your doors and windows, they should be trimmed or cut down. Someone could be lurking behind them, just waiting for someone to come home and ambush you. Don’t give an intruder an easy way to get inside your home. You have to consider your home security even when you are doing maintenance around your home.
If you want to do all that you can to avoid a home invasion, you can as long as you make a check-list and do your part in making sure that the things on the checklist are performed. Everyone has to do their part in seeing to it that they keep their home safe. The suggestions offered are both affordable and practical. There is no reason that you should avoid doing your part in keeping your home and family, safe.
