Home Security: Practical Protection That Actually Works

Home security is more than avoiding turning your house into a fortress. It is more about creating levels of protection that make your home a less appealing target. Most burglars are opportunists looking for easy access – make access difficut as a layer of security and they will likely move on to a target that is easier.

Gates and Access Control

An effective security measure that most people tend to overlook is a good quality gate system. It provides an effective primary barrier as well as improving crime deterrence.

Automatic gates feel expensive but pay for themselves quickly if you find you are constantly having to stop and get out of your car to open gates. If you have a sloping drive or limited space, sliding gates are a more reliable option for high winds and are a better option than swing gates.

There’s lots of gate systems available, but not all work well. The inexpensive ones tend to give a lot of problems, like not closing all the way or having the remote only work when standing right next to it. A reputable installer should be your go to that uses good, long lasting equipment. Paying more is worth it in the long run because repairs are not frequent.

Access control systems are recent innovations that work really well. You don’t have the problem of lost keys or fobs with a keypad. With intercom systems, you are able to communicate with whoever is at the gate and decide whether or not to let them in. There are lots of systems that connect to your phone, even letting in maintenance or service people when you are not available at home, which is more than a gimmick and is extremely useful.

The Simplest Deterrent

Good exterior lighting is the simplest yet most effective way to improve your home. Visibility is the main concern for most burglars, and bright lighting helps to illuminate the area. You don’t have to go extreme, like lighting up the house to be clear as day like a prison yard, and you should also consider the people around you that may not want lots of bright lights to shine towards them.

Having passive infrared lights above doors and in dark areas works well enough. The sudden presence of light when someone approaches is enough to send most opportunists elsewhere. However, make sure to acquire lights of decent quality. The cheaper options are either too sensitive (activating when a cat walks by) or not sensitive enough (not activating when an actual person approaches).

Dusk to dawn lights for front paths and driveways are also appropriate. They are on for the entire night, so there’s no surprising someone, but they are useful in getting rid of hiding spots and making it obvious when someone is about to enter the vicinity of your property. The new LED options are cheaper to keep on than older ones, so the cost isn’t an issue like it used to be.

Smart lights also have their advantages. With the ability to control your lights from your phone, it may appear to others like someone is home, even when you’re away. However, keep in mind that other people might notice if you have a timer for your lights, as they might come on at the exact same time every night.

Security Without the Fort Knox Look

Speaking of avoiding alarming your neighbors with the appearance of an overt security system, there are a couple of different ways you can go about security. Some security measures are meant to be visible, like CCTV cameras, alarm boxes, warning signs, and other obvious security measures. Others are meant to be more subtle, like security blanket designs and reporting security measures. Both of these approaches have their advantages. For instance, a visible alarm system may deter a casual opportunist, but a professional thief will likely be aware that most alarm systems are not monitored, and many neighbors will not take notice.

CCTV Cameras are useful if they are maintained and positioned in a useful way. Cameras facing a front door can be useful to obtain video in case of a crime, whereas cameras that are covered in cobwebs and haven’t recorded anything in three years is just a waste of money and shot sight of a view. Cloud-based systems are handy because you don’t need to worry about a recording box in a cupboard that can also be stolen along with all the other recordings.

Ring doorbells and other similar devices can be useful to catch package thieves from the front door or to see someone who was in the house while you were gone. Some people find the recording very reassuring, while others feel like its a little overboard to be constantly monitoring someone who is approaching the house. They are also good for seeing who is coming to the door when people are out of the house.

Physical security basics

All the technology in the world won’t help if your locks are rubbish. Modern UPVC doors with multi-point locking are pretty secure if they’re installed properly. Old wooden doors with a single Yale lock? Not so much. Upgrading locks is cheap with all things considered and makes a real difference.

Windows are typically the weak spot to a building as well. The ground-floor windows are going to need proper locks as opposed to the standard catches. Laminated glass is going to be tougher to break. They sell window locks, and yes, they are very useful. But only if people actually use them. Leaving windows on latch is a convenience sometimes, but it’s also an invitation for burglars.

Sheds and garages get forgotten as well. They hold very expensive tools and equipment but are usually secured with a simple padlock. It’s not going to be very hard to break with a strong kick. Some decent bolts with good padlocks are secured as a minimum. They even sell alarmed locks for a reasonable price, and the noise they make is usually enough to scare off unwanted intruders.

Smart Security Systems

If you use the features, modern smart security systems are very helpful. They are controllable from your phone, and can even integrate with cameras, sensors, and alarms. But a lot of people install them, get overwhelmed by the technology and eventually ignore it.

It is best to start simple. The basics should be a good lock, proper lighting, and secured gates if you have a driveway. If you need it, add technology. It is better to have a complex security system you use regularly than an incorporated one you do not.

Addressing Home Security Concerns

Total security isn’t achievable and trying to get there will drive you insane. Rather, the goal is to make your property enough of a challenge that burglar goes to another house. The majority of burglaries are crimes of oppurtunity – someone trying door handles or just walking through open, unsecure windows. Make that challenging enough and you’re essentially removing the risk.

Also, remember the basics, don’t leave keys outside near doors or windows, don’t make public posts advertising that you are away for two weeks, and build a rapport with your neighbors. Having a watchful neighbor keeps an eye out and can ward off intruders more than most security systems.