Residential Property Security and Safety: How to Prepare Ahead

Are Your Locks in Good Shape?

The first component of your home security that you will want to evaluate is your home locks, especially the locks on your front, side, and back doors. Any entrances to your home should always have secure deadbolt locks or electronic locks of some sort. Since most homeowners still use deadbolt locks, you will want to make sure your locks are well maintained or have been replaced in the last 5-7 years.

Deadbolt locks are only meant to last so long, and continuing to use old or faulty locks is not recommended. Even if you think your locks are still fine, it is important to take into consideration that your locks may be weak without you even fully realizing it. If you are not sure how old your locks are, or how to determine how worn they may be, call a locksmith to help with an evaluation.

How is the Lighting Around Your Home?

Consider the lighting around your property. Are there any dark spots on the side of your house? Potential hiding spots where someone could lay and wait undetected? Homes that are not well-lit are targets for break-ins and other crimes. Illuminating the areas around your home is a sure way to keep criminals off of your property or hiding and waiting to strike.

If you do not have some sort of lighting around your home, now is the time to install external lighting of some sort. Floodlights and motion-detection lights are the most popular lights that homeowners use. No matter what kind of lighting you prefer, make sure the areas around entrances to your home and on the sides of your house are well-lit.

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