How Secure Is Your Home?
In today’s world, securing your home against outside threats is an essential step towards protecting the things you care about most. Establishing a new security presence or upgrading an existing security system doesn’t need to be a daunting process. The hardest part is often choosing the best security solution for your home from the options that are available.
We’re sharing the top three items that should be on your home security checklist to help you guide your home security purchasing decisions.
#1. Assess Your Current Security Status
The primary question to address is, is your home safe? Many homeowners and renters fail to analyze their home security risks adequately. Whether through the misconception that they can’t or won’t be victimized or simply due to a lack of time, many people don’t assess their home’s security situation.
Evaluating your home security forces you to assume that your house is a potential target, and then make thoughtful and informed decisions as to how you can reduce the risk. While this process can make you feel uneasy, the reality is that every home is a potential target, and millions of homeowners every year are victims of a break-in.
Most people make decisions on their home security system based on their level of risk, budget, security system footprint, network availability and access. Aspects outside of your control, such as Homeowners Association regulations can also impact your choice. It’s important to make sure you choose home security solutions based on your specific property and security needs.
#2. Evaluate Entry & Exit Points
The first aspect everyone should assess on a home security checklist is the layout of their property. Answering “How secure is your home?” should start by analyzing entry points to your home and property. Evaluate the location of the front door, entrance way, back door, garage, and gate in terms to their accessibility to visitors and intruders.
Home Security Pro Tip: Assess your home’s entry and exit points from across the street. For example, is your front door hidden and out of the protective eyes of neighbors? The answer to this question is the first step towards securing your home.
Once you understand the vulnerability of your access points you can determine what size and type of security solution you need. For a standard-size family home, a few security cameras is typically a good starting point. For example, if you only have a front door and back door to monitor, two security cameras may be sufficient. Many security cameras have a Smartphone app so you can easily monitor your property remotely. In contrast, larger properties may require a full security system which includes multiple cameras and a remote storage hub. Regardless of the size of your property, monitoring the entry points to your home should be your number one priority.
#3. Decide on Your Security Must-Haves
Once you know the size of the security system necessary, you then need to understand and evaluate various features for both security cameras and systems.
Features to consider include video resolution quality from 1080p Full HD – 4k Ultra HD, wired vs. wireless vs. wire-free, night vision functionality, motion or heat sensing, viewing angle, and weather resistance. Each of these aspects can enhance and customize your home security system.
You will also need to decide whether their security system is meant simply to monitor and record, or whether it is meant to be seen by and deter potential criminals. A visible home security system has been found to deter potential intruders. In fact, 60% of burglars changed targets after seeing a home security system on site. If you don’t need 24/7 surveillance, a battery powered Wi-Fi camera is easy to install and includes remote monitoring through a Smartphone app.
In addition to features, there are various types of security cameras. Two of the most common security cameras are bullet and dome cameras, both named for their shape. Bullet cameras are often the go-to choice for outdoor cameras as they’re a visible deterrent to would-be intruders while dome cameras are often used in indoors or more discrete locations. Dome cameras can often be mounted in less visible areas due to the wide angle that they capture. The features, monitoring needs, and camera types, will guide not only your choice in the type of home security you choose but also subsequent upgrades or additions.
Home Security & Peace of Mind
Adding a home security system doesn’t have to be a daunting process. Creating an actionable home security plan requires realistically assessing your areas of risk, evaluate your home layout, and your budget. A strategic approach your home security is key to proactively protecting your property and the ones you love most.