Safety Updates to Make When Moving Into a New Home

When settling into a new living place, you want to not only feel safe there but actually be safe. There is danger from intruders and fires in every home, and there are other dangers that a person should protect against, as well. If you are moving into a new home, you should take steps to stay safe. The following are a few precautions to take. 

Invest in Security Features

Most people have been told that it is important for them to change out the locks when they move into a new home, but it can be all the smarter to invest in security doors and have those installed in a home. Special doors can keep a family safe while they are inside their home. A person should also invest in other security features, such as cameras and video doorbells. The more security features that one sets up, the more relaxed they are going to feel both when they are inside their home and when they are away from the place. While you are changing the doors of your new home, consider having special locks installed. Something with a keypad feature will make it even more secure. 

Invest in Monitors and Alarms

There are things that can get into the air in a home that can make things turn dangerous quickly. Carbon monoxide monitors can help a person be alerted if the air in their home is no longer safe for breathing. There are smart monitors available today that make it easy for a person to keep an eye on the air in their home. You should invest in new fire alarms for your new home, as well as smart carbon monoxide monitors.

Invest in an Air Purification System

Even when there is not carbon monoxide in the air, breathing certain pollutants in a home can be dangerous to a person's lungs and body. In order to make a home as safe as possible, one should purchase an air purification system and have that installed. This will take care of the dust, smoke, and germs that are in the air. This will also help with the smell of the air, and it will help you feel comfortable in your new home. An air purification system can be set up to clean the air in the entire home.

When a person makes certain safety updates to the home that they are moving into, they can make that home feel safe and comfortable. Some of a person's stress will go away when they focus on making their home safe.

How to Design Your Front Patio for Optimal Security

Your front patio is essential, as this is where you can spend memorable moments with your family. Barbecues can never be as exciting as when you host them at the front patio. Security is one of the chief concerns for every homeowner. You can never spend a peaceful evening in your front yard without maximum safety.

Your furniture and any other equipment found within your compound need to be safe from harsh weather or theft. Continue reading to understand how you can design your front patio for optimum security.

Use a Steel Cable to Secure Your Outdoor Furniture

Steel cables are available in hardware stores and are ideal for securing outdoor furniture. They are affordable and come with an easy-to-use interface. Pass the cable through your furniture, locking the edges with a padlock. The tool serves as a criminal deterrent joining your valuable equipment to make one heavy package that an intruder cannot lift or drag.

Secure Your Patio With a Lock

If you have designed a courtyard for your furniture and space for tools, it is not secure if it remains unlocked. Lock the front patio when not in use. Add more security measures like CCTV cameras if the courtyard is far from your house. Keep the keys to the security doors safely to prevent them from getting into the wrong hands.

Consider Indoor Storage

Even though you may have security measures in place, it is challenging to keep your valuables entirely safe if you leave them outside. Moving the furniture indoors prevents them from harsh weather and possible theft. However, you do not need to move your furniture in and out of the house every day, but you must protect them during winter.

Leaving furniture outside for long makes them fade, rust, and develop cracks, among other damages. While it may be a hilly task to move outdoor furniture indoors, it is worth the hassle. Quality has more weight than effort, so this is the cost for keeping your valuables in perfect condition. If moving them is more challenging, use secure covers when not using the furniture.

Keep the Lights On

In conclusion, one way to enhance security at your front patio is by leaving the security lights on. It keeps away intruders and allows you to see clearly from your house. Install bulbs that distribute light to all corners of your home. If necessary, install motion sensors configured to trigger the floodlights automatically. Besides keeping criminals away, sufficient lighting allows you to move around your compound safely at night.

How To Choose the Ideal Door Lock for Your Home?

We partnered with a lock company for this post. The opinions in the post are honest. All reviews and opinions expressed in this post are based on our personal views. We are excited because we know you will love it.

Choosing the right lock can make or break the situation if a thief tries to break in your home. It’s important to have the right one installed because you never know when someone’s going to have the courage and actually attempt to steal your belongings inside. Luckily, Keyside Locksmiths is here to satisfy your locksmithing request. Whether you need a locksmith Newcastle, Sydney, or Central Coast, rest assured that we will service you in all suburbs of New South Wales. That’s not all, because our goal is to also help our clients gain more knowledge, which is why we will be talking about how you can choose the ideal lock for your home:

1. Having Deadbolts is a Must

We cannot stress how important it is to get deadbolt locks nowadays. If you don’t know what these are, deadbolt locks are locks that have a bolt inside them instead of a traditional spring. Not only does it add additional protection for your household because it cannot be jimmied open, but these kinds of locks are 100% guaranteed a Grade 1 Rated lock standard, the highest grade given, meaning that it is one of the safest locks out there in the market . Although they may cost more than the average lock, we can tell you that we would pay more if it guarantees additional safety. 

2.Have the Right Budget to Afford Quality Locks

We’re going to be honest, getting a high quality home security system isn’t exactly going to be budget-friendly to your wallet. If you care about the safety of you, your family, and your pets however, then we’re going to tell you right now that’s the more important thing to worry about than a couple hundred bucks. Besides, if ever you do get robbed, the money deducted from your assurance is going to be higher than the cost of a lock installation. So our advice: manage your finances and your priorities. 

3. Go the Extra Mile and Make Some Door Renovations

If your door frame has a history of not being particularly sturdy, maybe the lock isn’t the only thing you need to replace too. Consider investing in some high quality material such as Mahogany wood to make your door stronger and sturdier than no thief should be able to kick down and come barging in.

To add any purchase of a lock, you’ll need to be sure that it’s made with heavy-duty metal with a set of screws provided for the installation. Just to take note, though, a double-sided lock is a big no-no in our books, because you’ll need a key to unlock the door even when you’re inside. If you lose that key, then you’ll end up trapped. A professional will help you find the best door hardware.

4. Make a Thorough Assessment and Analysis On What You’ll Need

Beyond picking what kind of lock needed, you’ll still have to take into account other factors to take into consideration when installing your locking mechanism onto your door. Everything from aesthetics, usefulness, effectiveness, and overall security are just some to keep in mind, while some homeowners would also add appearance as a big factor in choosing the locks. 

Here are some examples of what people usually think of when installing a lock:

• Is the door knob easily removable for easy entry?

This can be a good and bad thing for you. Good because if you’ll ever get stuck inside your home, you’ll have an easy way. Unfortunately, it’s bad because thieves might think the same thing as well. In this scenario, it would be best adding another lock to remove the threat of easy access. 

• Is the door easy for homeowners to use?

People react to things differently all the time, and the same goes for locks. Some people may find certain locks easy to use, while others struggle with them. For example, keyless locks may be easy to use for young people, but boomers might think differently because they’re not as tech-savvy compared to them. Other instances can be found with different types of locks. Your best bet would be smart locks, as they're really convenient and go hand-in-hand with your home security system, if you have one installed that is. 

• What’s the rating of the door lock?

For those of you unaware, doors actually have their own grading system to them. The American National Standard Institute, or ANSI, gives a numerical representation on the overall security a specific lock has on your household. The grade is based on factors such impact resistance, functionality, pull strength, etc. On the average, residential locks score an ANSI grade of 1-3, 1 being the highest level security and considered commercial grade, while 3 being the lowest meeting only basic requirements. For maximizing safety, choose either Grade 1 or 2 locks. 

Guest Post - The Most Vulnerable Entry Points of Your Home

Homes that lack appropriate security measures are the most vulnerable to break-ins, vandalism, and other crimes. When potential intruders, thieves, or criminals target properties, they look for a few specific and easily accessible entry points. Several homeowners remain careless and negligent about home security, making their property an attractive and easy target of burglars. 

While looking to minimize the likelihood of someone gaining unauthorized access to the home, it is essential to identify the weak entry points and take proactive steps to ensure they are adequately secured and guarded. 

This article highlights the most vulnerable entry points that burglars commonly use to sneak their way into a home.

Front door

Homeowners are not the only ones to get into the home using the front door. It is most often used by criminals too. More than 30% of home invasions or break-ins occur through the front door, making it the most vulnerable entry point of a house. Several homeowners hide their keys under the doormat or in and behind a flower pot. It is easy for burglars, who surveil a home for a few days before breaking in, to know about the possible key hiding places. Also, if the door is old and weak, it is simple to knock it down by kicking it, picking the lock, or remove a few hinges to gain access. There is no shortage of instances where people forgot to lock the front door, making it simple for the burglars to stroll in.

Back and sliding door

Back doors also make an enticing entry point for intruders either looking to gain unobserved access to the house or found the front door too strong and difficult to break. Breaking into back doors or sliding glass doors is simple as they are hidden and offer criminals enough time to try and open them. Sliding glass doors are specifically more vulnerable as they are easily smashable, have standard easy to open locks, and it is simple to lift them off their tracks using basic tools. 

Garage

es also make for one of the most vulnerable entry points for a home. They are used as a primary entrance in most homes and store several expensive objects, tools, and equipment, and also have a connecting secondary door leading to the house that often remains unlocked. When a burglar breaks into a garage door, it usually gives them undisturbed access to the rest of the house. Most homeowners feel their garage door is secure, but the truth is, it is not and makes for an easy access point for unwanted guests.

Windows

Not many homeowners care to secure their windows. However, burglars frequently take advantage of the basement, first floor, or second-floor windows to enter a home when they fail to do so through a door. Every home window is vulnerable to break-ins, especially if they are without bars or other security features. Open unlatched windows or weak locks offer a perfect access opportunity. 

Every homeowner remains concerned about keeping their home safe and protecting it from any untoward incidents. Securing these major vulnerable entry points ensures that the family and the valuables remain protected. While installing sturdy doors and windows, using various home security systems like smart locks, sensor lights, cameras, and alarm systems are effective home security systems, security screens for windows and doors offer unparalleled protection. 

They are highly effective in preventing break-ins and offer better security than regular doors and windows.  The screens are made from stainless steel mesh and are tough to cut, puncture, or pierce and provide reliable protection. Contact a professional to install screen windows and doors to secure the vulnerable entry points of the home.

About the author:

Richa writes content extensively for roofing contractors and garage door companies. When not busy with work Richa enjoys playing guitar, and spending time with her family. To know more about Richa, check her out on Linkedin.