As a homeowner, keeping your home and family safe is a top priority. One of the best ways to protect them is by making sure your home is secure. We’ll walk you through common threats and a few awareness and home security tips to better ensure your home remains a safe haven.
What are the dangers to your home?
It’s important to understand the risks that every homeowner faces. Awareness of these risks allows you to take preventative action to protect your family and property. So, what are the most common risks you face in your home?
- Burglaries and break-ins
- Fires
- Natural disasters
- Accidents within the home
Preventing these incidents requires attention to detail and consistent maintenance of your home.
Steps to make your home more secure
Knowing the risks is a great place to begin. Let’s go over some actionable tips to keep your home safe and secure.
Secure entry points
- Lock doors and windows: Make sure all doors and windows are locked—including vehicles—even when you’re at home.
- Strengthen sliding doors: Sliding glass doors are particularly vulnerable to break-ins. Use a metal bar or dowel rod to reinforce them and prevent them from being forced open.
Improve your home’s visibility
- Outdoor lighting: Well-lit homes are less attractive to burglars. Install motion-activated lights around entryways, driveways and backyards.
- Trim overgrown shrubs: Large bushes or shrubs can provide cover for intruders. Keep them trimmed to reduce hiding spots around your home.
Invest in a home security system
- Alarm system: A monitored home security system can be your best defense against burglaries.
- Security cameras: Installing doorbell cameras and other security cameras around your property helps you monitor activity and can also provide valuable evidence in the event of a break-in.
Prepare for potential house fires
- Install smoke detectors: Make sure you have smoke detectors on every floor, test them regularly and change the batteries at least once a year.
- Create an emergency plan: In case of a fire, every family member should know how to exit the home safely. Be sure to establish a meeting point outside the home.
Prepare for natural disasters
- Reinforce your home: If you live in an area prone to natural disasters, consider reinforcing your windows, doors and roof. For example, storm shutters can protect windows during hurricanes.
- Create an emergency kit: Keep an emergency go-bag with essentials like water, non-perishable food, first-aid supplies and important documents in case you need to evacuate.
Homeowners insurance is your safety net
Even with the best security measures in place, accidents and disasters can happen. That’s why it’s crucial to have homeowners insurance as part of your home protection plan.
Why is homeowners insurance essential?
- Carrington and other mortgage lenders require homeowners insurance to protect their investment in the home.
- Insurance helps you repair or rebuild without shouldering the entire financial burden.
- Knowing that your home and belongings are protected gives you peace of mind should disaster strike.
By following these home security and awareness tips, you can significantly reduce the risks and feel at ease knowing you’ve done everything you can to protect what matters most. Not sure if you have the best, most cost-effective insurance coverage? Check out Carrington’s resources provided via Covered Insurance, the easiest way to shop home, auto and pet insurance.