Home is where the heart is!

That’s how the old saying goes anyway. This is the space where we shelter at night, where we spend time with our nearest and dearest, and where we store our most personal possessions. It’s a reflection of ourselves. It’s where we want to be able to let our hair down and relax without fear of others and their actions.

So, what can you do to ensure that your home protects you from the outside world and the different threats that it is filled with? Here are steps you can take to make your home the ultimate safe haven!

Install CCTV

We’re used to being surrounded by CCTV in the streets and in public places. These systems are implemented to protect businesses and people when they are spending time in public. The good news is that they generally work!

Less violent crime and theft tends to take place in front of security cameras. People know that they will be able to be more easily identified through video footage. Plus the footage could be used as evidence against them in court. So why not fit the same systems outside of your home? They will have the same effect and will help to protect you and your property against others’ ill will.

If people remain unphased by the camera’s presence, at least you will get a good look at who they are. You will be able to provide evidence to the police when you report their crime. Make sure they are fitted by professionals and their placement is ideal for focusing on key areas of your home.

Install a Home Security System

On top of security cameras, you should consider installing a home security system. This will ensure that your home is fitted with alarms that will alert you and surrounding people to intruders’ presence. If someone does break into your property while you are asleep or out of the home, alarms will be triggered. This will generally cause trespassers to leave pretty quickly. They won’t want to get caught and won’t be able to go about their crime discreetly. You can learn more about this here.

Pet Doors

Many of us install pet doors so our pets can leave and reenter when they please. This reduces the amount of time spent opening the door to them. It also means they are less likely to have accidents in the house, as they can head outdoors whenever nature calls.

However, pet doors do tend to pose a relative safety risk. If you have a particularly large pet, criminals could use the pet door to get in and out of your home. They could even us it as a window to see what you have or whether you are home. Instead, consider specialist pet doors that only open when your pet approaches them. Generally speaking, they will be fitted with a sensor. When your pet with the sensor approaches the door, it will be unlocked. This means that your pet isn’t inconvenienced but only your pet will be able to get in and out.

Fit a Garage

Chances are that you want to protect your vehicle as well as your home. After all, it’s likely to be the second most valuable item that you own after your property itself. Now, the majority of us leave our vehicles on the main road outside of our property. This may be convenient and may be cheaper than forking out to build a garage, but when cars are left on the roadside, they become prone to a whole host of potential hazards and dangers.

For those of us living on busy main roads, our cars are at risk of being hit or scraped by the large number of vehicles that pass by your property all day every day. Remember that not all drivers are reliable. There are also plenty of learner drivers who don’t have a licence yet.

If you live on a less busy estate, you may feel more safe or your vehicle is exposed to fewer hazards.

However the smaller and tighter roads and the increased possibility of having to park on a bend in the road will serve to increase the chances of your vehicle being scraped by others as they pass as well. Having your vehicle outdoors in any outdoor location also opens it up to opportunist vandals.

Harsh weather conditions such as hail or strong winds can cause trees to topple and debris to fall from roofs. Instead of having all of these parking worries, have a garage built next to your home. This will protect your vehicle properly within your home. If you don’t have the room for a garage, consider investing in a protected parking spot nearby.

If you like the sound of these steps and the protection that they offer you, start implementing them into your home routine as soon as possible. This will save you a whole lot of stress and hassle in the long run!