In this day and age, it's even more important than ever to ensure that your home truly is your castle. Crime seems to be on the increase in communities around Australia, and this may be caused by the general uncertainty in the economy and what some people see as a lack of stability. Come what may, you need to have a thoughtful approach to home security, so you can keep your family as safe as possible and deter even the most committed burglar. What steps can you take to improve your current situation?
Motion Detection
As scary to contemplate as it is, some of the bad actors will lay in wait for you to arrive home at night, and then rush you as you put the key in the door. It pays, therefore, to be very aware of your surroundings whenever you get back to your place and always take time to look around before you approach the door. Fit motion-detecting floodlights so you can not only see what you're doing, but detect if anyone is in hiding.
Monitors
Be on your guard even if you're inside the house, as well. If somebody rings the bell, then you should never open the door without ascertaining their identity first. A safety chain is all very well, but they can break when significant force is applied, and you should fit a tiny camera connected to a display inside. Forget about peepholes as they give you only a tiny part of the story. You want to see, in high-definition, exactly who is there.
Deadbolt
Do you have decorative glass panels around your front door? This is a popular design in many suburban houses, but unfortunately, it's quite easy for a burglar to get in by quietly breaking one of these smaller panels. They will use a specific technique to do this without making any noise that may alert the neighbours, and if you don't have a deadbolt fitted, they can simply reach inside and open the door. Don't get into the habit of leaving the key in the lock just because it is easier to deal with, as that defeats the purpose completely!
In or Out?
If you intend to be out of the house for some time, install a programmable system so that the interior lights can be switched off and on at random times of the day or night. You can also programme the home security system to turn a noise source on to give the impression that somebody's watching the TV, and the latest software can be linked to a smartphone app for ease of programming.
Monitoring
When you fit a top-quality security system to detect any intrusion, it's best if you link it to a monitoring service dedicated to the cause. They will take action whenever a breach is detected and give you some additional peace of mind in this constant battle for protection.
