Your house is a precious place filled with family, belongings, memories, and everything you enjoy. However, when you purchase your home, you first focus on the secondary aspects. These include its location, layout, house floor plans and architecture. You must be wondering what your home’s primary aspects are. Yes, it’s your home’s safety features. As a homeowner, you must do everything you can. It ensures your home remains protected and secure from intruders, fire and other emergencies.
Brick & Bolt focuses on the top home security needs in this blog. The home security checklist helps protect your home, family, and belongings better. We broke the list into small categories to make it easy for you to follow.
14 Essential Safety and Security Checklist for a Home
The following are the most important safety and security checklists for your home:
Safety Tips for Doors and Windows
- Inspect Doors and Windows for Damage
- Check all Locks and Entry Points at Night
- Sliding Doors with Proper Locks
- Use Window Locks
- Install a Wide-Angle Peephole
Safety Tips for Exterior Home
- Ensure Proper Lighting of Your Home’s Exterior
- Ensure Visibility of House Address
- Trim Landscaping along Doors and Windows
- Move Valuables from Window Views
Safety Tips for Home While You Are on Vacation
- Arrange for Incoming Mail
- Opt for Light Timers
Other Home Safety Checklist
- Installing a Home Security System
- Keep Smoke Detectors and Fire Extinguishers
- Have a Backup Plan
So, let’s explore in detail-
Safety Tips for Door and Windows
1. Inspect Doors and Windows for Damage
Different types of windows and doors are available to increase your home’s safety and overall aesthetic. But remember, doors and windows are prime entry points for burglars. Therefore, you must inspect for damage regularly to prevent easy access. If your house has old doors and windows, they might get worn out. If you see such signs, get them repaired or replaced. Besides, you can explore plenty of options for ensuring security in your home and creating peace of mind. Consider using advanced locks combined with sturdy door materials. You can also use impact-resistant and high-security windows to prevent break-ins.
2. Check all Locks and Entry Points at Night
Before sleeping or while going out, ensure to lock all doors and windows properly. These include mail slots, garage doors, and pet doors, which intruders might use. Moreover, ensure to keep any valuables, like jewelry away in a safe or protected place.
3. Sliding Doors with Proper Locks
Although sliding glass doors enhance the aesthetics of your place, they are an inviting target for intruders. These types of doors aren’t as secure as traditional doors. Besides, as homeowners, you often keep them unlocked. To provide more protection, you may add dowel bars, upgraded security bars, modern locking mechanisms, or an additional locking mechanism.
If you want to learn more about how to choose a secure locking system for your main door to protect yourself, your loved ones, and your valuables, then click on the link below to learn more-
4. Use Window Locks
Windows are a common point of break-in entry because most homeowners, like you, keep them unlocked or equipped with old or damaged locks. It is crucial to inspect your window locks regularly for signs of damage. You can even upgrade to more secure locks when necessary. Ensure that you keep your windows locked when you aren’t using them or staying away from home.
5. Install a Wide-Angle Peephole
Wide-angel peepholes differ from their traditional counterpart. You can view a larger area of your front porch or patio with them. Through them, you can see better who is knocking or lingering outside your home.
Safety Tips for Exterior Home
6. Ensure Proper Lighting of Your Home’s Exterior
Do you keep your home’s exteriors dark? Ensure that the exterior areas are well-lit. If you have a poorly lit yard, driveway or walkway, you are inviting burglars who are always seeking opportunities to conceal their actions. Inspect the area properly and take appropriate steps to maximize lighting. If the lights are dim, replace the light bulbs. You can also install floodlights and place path lights along the walkways. Alternatively, you can install smart lighting systems, as you can control them through personal devices or motion.
7. Ensure Visibility of House Address
Most homeowners overlook the importance of a visible house number regarding home security. Often, your home’s street address fades, gets obstructed by vegetation, or has experienced fading in extreme weather conditions over time. Ensure that your home address is visible from the street so you can seek help from your neighbours during an emergency.
8. Trim Landscaping along Doors and Windows
Often, we plant shrubs, bushes, and trees around our windows. These features conceal your windows, adding a sense of privacy to your home. Besides, they create an appropriate area for burglars to conceal themselves from street visibility. The best part is to keep these features below your window frames. While they offer curb appeal, they also discourage intruders.
9. Move Valuables from Window Views
Ensure that no one can see your valuables through your windows directly. Never place expensive items like TVs or computers in plain sight. This can entice intruders who might try to steal your valuables. You need to pay extra care even for those items placed on a table or shelf near a window or door. Try moving these things away from street-facing windows. You can also install features like top-down or bottom-up shades. These allow light to enter your rooms instead of those unwanted eyes.
Safety Tips for Home While You Are on Vacation
10. Opt for Light Timers
Most homeowners tend to turn their exterior lights while they are away from their homes. Although it’s an excellent way to deter burglars at night, exterior lighting shines all day, indicating your absence. You can install timers on your lighting systems that you can set to turn on and off at specific times during the day. You can also opt for those times you can monitor and control remotely through smart devices. It will offer you peace of mind.
Read More: Top Trends in India’s Home Automation Using Smart Home Technology
11. Arrange for Incoming Mail
You may need to travel a lot due to work. In such a scenario, your mailbox might start overflowing with mail. Never do that. An overflowing mailbox signals that you are on vacation or away from work. Henceforth, when you leave your home for an extended period, arrange for your post office to hold your mail. Alternatively, you can coordinate with a neighbour, friend or relative to retrieve your mail regularly.
Other Home Safety Checklist
12. Installing a Home Security System
Home security systems have improved recently. You might encounter doorbell cameras, motion lighting, alarm sensors, and more. These systems are a staple in most households for a good reason. They are affordable ways to protect your home and family, and you can control those using smart devices.
13. Keep Smoke Detectors and Fire Extinguishers
The National Fire Protection Association recommends that every home install smoke alarms inside every bedroom, outside every sleeping area, and on every level of the home to increase fire safety and protect your home from fire hazards. Check your smoke detectors monthly and replace the batteries at least twice yearly. Replace the entire system after every decade and invest in a quality home fire extinguisher. Ensure to conduct regular testing depending on the type and size of the extinguisher.
14. Have a Backup Plan
Last but not least, remember that your home security checklist is an emergency plan. While you, as a homeowner, might hope for and expect the best in every scenario, you must be aware of the latest innovations in the home security system and prepare an emergency plan. It can include anything from an exit path from an intruder to a fire escape plan; with these plans, you can better protect your family in an emergency or disaster.
Conclusion
Setting up a comprehensive home security system is crucial if you are a first-time owner. It helps you in protecting your property and your loved ones. The above checklist offers essential considerations that every homeowner must follow. When prioritising home security, you create a safe and secure living environment for your family. As a leading tech-enabled construction company in Delhi, Brick & Bolt understands the overwhelming effort that goes into building your dream home. Their team of expert professionals is popular for their artistry, reliability, and timely deliveries. Brick & Bolt promises to offer the best quality products combined with their motto of absolute transparency through technological advancements.