How to Secure Your Home to Prevent Costly Damage

Even if you are insured, you want to do everything possible for your home to prevent issues from building up or sudden disasters from wreaking havoc on your property. We all know what one major problem can do to a person’s premium. So it is a good idea to get in the habit of inspecting your house on a regular basis and making sure you don’t have weak places or anything potentially open to theft.

Creating a checklist of security tasks will help keep you in order. Be sure to go through it thoroughly and keep it on hand for future use.

Door and window security

Keeping your doors and windows secure is paramount both for safety purposes and for the sake of keeping your house warm and free from damage. Your doors and windows are particularly vulnerable parts of your house because they can both be subject to break ins, and also to damage caused by the elements.

Be sure to do the following, and address any problems if they arise:

• Invest in high-quality deadbolts on all your doors
• Reinforce your windows with security bars and make sure that they have good locks. Thieves love to look for unusual places to get in.
• Always check for frames that might be damaged. Small problems can easily become worse over time.

If your doors and/or windows are really in bad shape, you might want to consider replacing them full-scale. You can find house windows and strong, secure doors online or in specialty shops. Don’t skimp on the essentials; they are critical for keeping your home secure, properly insulated, and in good shape overall.

Lighting control

Thieves are always on the lookout for dark homes, because they know that darkness indicates an empty house. You can control this by investing in smart, remote-controlled lighting. Specifically, you should do the following:

• Invest in lights for your entry points that are motion-controlled.
• Always keep exterior lights on during the night, especially when you are away from home.
• Invest in timed lighting that will come on at a particular time every day automatically.
• Be sure that any bushes you have near windows are kept trimmed.

Security system

Having a high-quality security system is essential. Components that you should look for in a system include:

• Remote monitoring. You should invest in a system that allows you to see what is happening in your home regardless of where you are, and one that allows you to control things remotely as well.
• Security cameras at all entry points. This is essential both so that you can see things, and so that thieves will notice them and be less likely to want to break in.
• Security system badges. Placing official stickers on your doors that let people know you have a system can do wonders.

Beyond this, you should always check your locks to make sure any parts that might be worn down can be replaced. Don’t place any valuables near your windows or in a position that is clearly visible from the outside.

Weather factors to consider

Your home is naturally going to go through some wear and tear over time. Therefore, always check certain parts of your home to ensure there hasn’t been any weather-related damage.

Weatherproofing

You should always check to ensure there aren’t any drafts coming in through your doors and windows. If you notice any, seal them with weatherstripping immediately. Also, be sure to insulate your pipes to prevent them from freezing as this can be a real problem in cold climates. Finally, clean your gutters out on a regular basis as this will help to prevent ice buildup.

Heating and power

It is a good idea to keep a consistent temperature inside your house, rather than letting it fluctuate. This helps to keep your energy bills down. Make a regular effort to check your furnace and vents to ensure that they are functioning correctly.

Always prepare for potential power outages by having flashlights in easy-to-find places and having essential devices that can function through charging or batteries. Also, keep water and dry food items on hand.

No home is perfect, but you can keep yours in good shape

Every home is going to be subject to some wear and tear over time; this is the nature of home ownership. While you won’t be able to avoid every possible problem, you can reduce the damage that your house undergoes and minimize the possibility for security issues by taking preventative measures. If you go through this list on a regular basis and make sure that things are generally in good working order, you will save yourself a lot of potential headaches later.