We lock our doors and windows, change our fire alarm batteries, and leave the lights on even when we’re not home. But ensuring your home’s security requires a thorough, top-to-bottom look at how your home is protected from break-ins and emergencies. Here’s how to secure your home room-by-room.
Entryway
Your entryway is the first line of defense when it comes to your safety at home. Keep it secure with these ideas:
- Make sure you have a way to see outside without opening the door. If you don’t have a peephole or sidelight windows, cameras can help.
- Mount cameras above any easy points of ingress, such as doors and ground-level windows. Add door and window sensors tied to security alarms, so you’re alerted if doors are opened unexpectedly.
- Use smart door locks so you can remotely lock and unlock the door. They give you control over who has access to your home, and they can alert you when the door is left unlocked.
Kitchen
Fire safety is of utmost importance in a room where you’ll be cooking. Use these tips to make sure you and your family stay safe:
- Install smart smoke detectors to alert you and the rest of your family in the event of a fire. Smart detectors can send push notifications to your phone, so any family members who are out of the house will be alerted to the situation.
- Add a smart water leak detector to notify you of a leaking dishwasher or sink before it creates water damage. (Place them in bathrooms and the basement, too.)
- Install a carbon monoxide (CO) detector (just keep them away from heating and cooking appliances).
- Use CO and smoke detectors as part of a full home security system with professional monitoring, so the authorities are contacted automatically in the event of an emergency.
Living room
Your living room or family room functions as the center of your home, a comfortable place to spend time together as a family. Here’s how to keep it secure:
- Improve security on your sliding doors. Install a lock with a key and add a pin or bar that prevents the door from being removed from the track.
- Be sure that any easily accessible windows have sensors that will trigger an alarm in the case of an unexpected or forced opening.
- Don’t place valuable objects like electronics or heirlooms in easy view of the windows. If someone can see that there are things inside worth stealing, they’re more likely to try.
Bedrooms
Protect your loved ones with a few smart security tips for the bedroom:
- Install a smart smoke detector in each bedroom and add one to any hallways outside your bedrooms. These devices can also integrate with smart lighting. If the alarm is triggered, you can set all the lights in the bedroom to come on as an extra mode of alert.
- Add window-break sensors or outward-facing security cameras to any ground-level bedrooms.
Garage
Whether it’s attached to your home or standalone, garage security is one of the most important factors to consider:
- Add a smart garage door opener that will alert you whenever the door is opened. Many smart openers can integrate with your home security system or smart door locks. You can also open and close them remotely.
- If the garage opens to the house, be sure that the connecting door is lockable and that the hinges are on the inside of the door, in the house.
- Install security cameras inside and around the garage.
Outdoor security
Protect your home from the outside in, with these tips:
- Add motion-triggered lights to your front porch or steps, as well as the exterior walls.
- Mount security cameras in easily visible spots and place signs showing that your home has a security system.
- Make sure any bushes, trees, or other large plants are well maintained to maximize visibility around your home.
How safe is your house? Different parts of the house have different needs, so it’s best to take a step-by-step approach to evaluate your entire property. These home security tips and tricks will help you improve your home’s security. Find even more information on smart home security from Xfinity Home.
