5 Home Security Tips for New Homeowners

As a new homeowner, there are many things you will be learning for the first time. One of those things will be how to keep your home and your family safe on a regular basis without it interfering too much with life. Everybody knows to lock the door when they leave and to keep an eye out for suspicious people in the neighborhood, but what else will it take to keep your home and family secure?

There are some things you may not have thought to do, such as getting to know the neighbors and changing the locks when you move in. Take a look at these five tips to get you started when it comes to new home ownership and keeping things secure.

Replace the locks

The first thing you should do when you move into a new home is to change your locks. Most likely, the previous owners still have a key somewhere as does anyone involved in selling the property to you. That means that your home is not technically secure and available only to your family.

Make sure you change your locks upon arriving at the new home to make sure no one else has access to it, such as the previous family or realtor. Then, make sure you reconfigure your garage door code.

Get a home security system

Next, you’ll want to install a home security system. Make your home less appealing to a criminal that enters the neighborhood, from the trimmed bushes allowing for a great line of sight to the motion-detecting lights, make sure no criminal will want to bother breaking into your home.

Be sure to set up your home with a trustworthy home security system that will notify you in the event that there is a security breach. Make sure to have a professional install it and remember to tell your homeowners insurance since you’ll likely receive a discount for having one installed.

Get to know your neighbors and the area

One of the simplest ways to keep your home and family safe is to get to know your neighbors and your surroundings. When you know who lives near you, it’ll be easier to spot a visitor to the area to watch for suspicious activity. You’ll also have neighbors to watch your home as you do the same for them in the event that suspicious activity is taking place.

You can even join the neighborhood watch program and volunteer to collect mail and newspapers for neighbors that go on vacation, as they can do the same for you. Then, be sure to get to know your surroundings to get familiar with what habits are normal in the neighborhood compared to the times when something new comes up. Do you always see this certain service provider and delivery truck, while that moving van or construction crew has never been here before?

Think about fire safety

In addition to security, you’ll want to think about fire safety. Make sure you’ve made a plan for home fire defense and have a fire monitoring package with your home security system. Smoke detectors throughout the house are vital, as well as fire extinguishers, and carbon monoxide detectors.

Keep up with the maintenance

Having all of these items checked off will be a great feeling, but keeping up with maintaining everything is just as important. You need to be regularly checking your outside lights, your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, your fire extinguishers, and your window locks to ensure everything is in working order.

If something isn’t functioning properly, it can be all it takes to have a breach in your safety. Make sure you are trimming the bushes, verifying your home security system is working, and things on your property meant to deter an intruder are ready to perform.

These are the top five ways that you can make sure your new home is secure and prepared in the event of a fire or home invasion.

What Items to Store in a Home Safe: Consider These

You own plenty of valuable items, whether valuable in dollars or in sentiment, that you keep in your home. Some of the items you own should be kept in a home safe, preferably a fireproof home safe.

There are several things you should consider keeping in a safe within your home. Here are some of the top items to put in a safe instead of just leaving exposed in your home.

Household Safe

10 Items that Belong in a Home Safe

1. Guns

All guns should be kept in a safe unloaded with the magazine separate from the actual gun. Ammunition should also be kept in a safe. Special gun safes are designed to keep your weapons locked up properly.

2. Precious Metals

If you own physical gold, silver, copper, or other precious metals, they should be kept in a home safe. These items are valuable and belong under lock and key.

3. Expensive Jewelry

While not all jewelry is valuable enough to go in a safe, some jewelry should remain locked up when it's not being worn. Expensive engagement rings, family heirlooms, and other high-value jewelry belong in a fireproof home safe.

4. Important Documents

Several documents should be stored in a fireproof safe including:

• Insurance policies

• Bank account information

• Wills and living trusts

• Health care documents

• And more!

These documents need to be protected and a physical backup copy is a good idea, even if you have them stored on your computer.

5. House Pictures

If a fire were to happen or a break-in, having pictures of the items you own will help with insurance. You store these pictures on a CD or thumb drive and toss them in your fireproof safe at home.

6. Important ID Documents

While you will likely carry your driver's license with you daily, other ID documents don't need to be kept on your person. Passports, birth certificates, and social security cards should be stored in a fireproof home safe.

7. Spare Keys

It's a good idea to place spare car keys and spare keys for other things, such as a storage unit into your home safe.

8. Safe Deposit Box Keys

If you have a safe deposit box for your valuables, the keys for it should go into your home safe. This will not only help to protect these keys during a disaster, but it will also keep you from losing them.

9. Emergency Cash

If a fire happens or another type of emergency event, having some cash is a good idea. Storing some emergency cash in your home safe is a good idea.

10. Family Valuables

Any other items you plan to pass down to the next generation or consider to be valuable to your family should also be stored in a safe.

If you don't have a home safe for your valuable items, it's best to have a Chicago locksmith install a safe for you. With proper safe installation, you can protect your most valuable items better.

What to Look for in a Door Replacement

When it's time to replace your front door at home or at the office, the right door replacement makes a difference. Not only should you like the way your new entry door looks, but it should also offer the security features you desire.

There are plenty of things to consider when getting a door replaced. Let's look at some of the most important features of your new door.

5 Things to Consider with a Door Replacement

1. Door Material

Choosing the type of material, you want for your door replacement is a good place to start. You can choose wood, steel, fiberglass composite, or aluminum. While wood doors are the most common and often the cheapest, steel doors tend to offer the best security features.

Fiberglass-composite doors offer a good choice in humid or harsh climates and they are very tough. Aluminum doors provide a custom-built option with a good mixture of security and affordability.

2. Solid or Glass

Some front doors will be solid with no glass in the door at all. This is the most secure option, but you can choose a door with glass in it and still get good security.

With the right type of glass installed in your door, it will be harder to break making it more secure. Glass can also help to add to the aesthetic appeal of your new entry door.

If you prefer glass, but you don't want people to be able to easily see into your front door, you can choose glazed glass. This type of glass makes it harder to see through the door and offers more privacy.

3. Consider the Lock

While choosing the door might not limit the locking mechanisms you can choose, it's still important to consider the lock. You will likely have a lock on the doorknob or handle, but you will also want to consider a deadbolt or additional locking mechanism for security.

Before you choose your door and the type of lock you want, consider the level of security you prefer. Some front door locks offer more security than others. You can also add a strike plate and other options to ensure maximum security.

4. Additional Hardware

Do you need a mail slot, knocker, peephole, or other hardware for your new door? Consider the accessories you want and make sure the door you buy is designed with the right accessories for your needs.

Mail slots and knockers can often be added to make your door more functional.

5. Installation

You can install your new front door yourself or hire a professional. Unless you are very handy and have experience installing doors, it's best to leave it to a professional.

When you need door installation in Chicago, you don't want to take chances. Poor installation can lead to higher energy bills and lower security. Make sure you hire a professional to install your new entry door.

The right front door for your home or business will not only provide the aesthetics you prefer but also the security. Replacing your door is a big deal and should be handled with the proper care. Your new door should function the way you prefer and offer peace of mind knowing it's secure when locked.