A Home Alarm System Can Increase Your Home Security For the New Year

After all of the presents have been unwrapped and decorations put in storage for next year, the beginning of a new year is a great time to reassess and increase the security of your home. Experts claim that burglaries tend to rise just after the holidays, as new high-tech gadgets are making most homes bust at the seams with invitations for a break-in.

When you’re tidying up after the holidays, make sure you are not advertising your home’s new contents with empty boxes lying in open view outside. Always break product boxes down and put inside of a garbage bag, secure it shut, and place in a trashcan.

Many families experienced break-ins this year due to wrapped Christmas presents being in plain view. It is best to refrain from setting these out until just before opening them next year!

Next, Americans are encouraged to ensure expensive items are not easily seen through windows or doors. If you have many windows in your home and this seems like an impossible task, make sure you install sufficiently darkening blinds or curtains (not sheers) to reduce the ability for outsiders to see inside of your home.

Walk around the exterior of your home and clear any fire hazard such as a dried Christmas tree lying next to it. Dried vegetation and paper products can easily catch fire and transfer the crisis to the house.

This step is very important, as New Year’s celebrations will typically include fireworks and other entertainment with dangerous explosives. If you plan on partaking in such activities, be sure to set them off at least 50 yards from your home, and always aim rockets away from any dwelling.

When examining the interior windows and doors, install security screws in all windows and check the structural integrity of all locks and doorjambs. Note any cracks or warped material, and replace them immediately.

This step includes the actual doors and glass windows. Cracks or rotting wood create weakened entry points that intruders may target. Old locks should be changed and reinforced to help prevent an intruder from kicking the doors in.

It may also be a good time of year to invest in a fire-proof safe to store important documents and valuables. Many thieves will target high-dollar collectibles and jewelry, so always keep these hidden and locked away for safekeeping.

To help reduce your chances of identity theft, you also should purchase a high-quality shredder that will destroy plastic credit cards. All documents and bills that contain your name, address, date of birth, Social Security and credit information, account numbers or health and financial information should also be destroyed.

Installing a home security system will also help to reduce the chances of break-ins, as well as sufficiently warn family and authorities of any mishaps that do happen. These systems should include fire alarms and a panic button.

Always keep smoke detectors throughout your home in working order by periodically testing and changing the batteries. These should still be present as a proper backup system for your home security alarm.

By: Bruce Kelly

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