Your home and family mean and lot to you. You’d do anything to protect them and make sure that they’re safe. Dangers like home fires, invasions, and burglaries happen to families and their properties on a regular basis. Though not everything is avoidable, there are things you can do to reduce the likelihood of something happening to your loved ones or your home.
Lock Windows and Doors
It is surprising how many home invasions or crimes are carried out because of a forgotten window or door that is unlocked. You can’t make it easy for intruders to get in, so make sure that if they’re not in use, that you lock them for your security. Before going to bed, it is a good idea to double-check that windows on the first level of the home have been secured so no one breaks in while you’re sleeping.
Unplug Appliances Not in Use
House fires can happen in an instant and result in injuries, loss of property, and death. It is common for people to leave on computers and gaming consoles without thinking twice. Things like irons and cooking devices are also left plugged in. To prevent your home’s electrical system from short-circuiting and causing a nasty fire, you should be sure to unplug any appliances that are not in use.
Emergency Response App
Smartphones have become a staple for most families. You can help keep them safe 24 hours a day by installing an emergency response app. Companies like Alarm Relay have apps designed to direct immediate assistance to your loved ones with the press of a button. Whether you’re home or away you can send the authorities to your home or to assist an ill or injured loved one.
Keep Up with Yard Work
There are things that burglars look for to determine if a house is ideal for breaking into. One of those things is the front yard. If the grass is high, the hedges haven’t been trimmed, and the trees are in a disarray, this says that no one is home. It also gives a suspicious person an easy place to hide. So, keep the grass cut and the trees and hedges trimmed to increase household safety.
Report Suspicious Behavior
Most thieves and burglars are familiar with the house or area in which they’re thinking of burglarizing. This means that they’ve been seen around the neighborhood on numerous occasions. If you notice some suspicious lurking around your area, it may be a good idea to contact the police or inform neighborhood watch so they can be on the lookout.
Be Mindful of Computer Activities
Social media isn’t the only way strangers can find out that you won’t be home or that you have valuables that are ripe for the picking. Encourage your family to be mindful of their online activities. Sending photos or emails or sharing information through messaging apps can also be a dead giveaway.
Keep Expensive Buys from Clear View
If your home has large windows which can clearly be seen from the road it is important to be mindful of what is in front of it. A large television set, computer, or gaming device that is visible to passersby can be an incentive for someone to try and break into your house. If you can’t find a better way to position them, at the very least, make sure that you have curtains, blinds, or shades to block the view.
Watch Deliveries
Online shopping is a common practice for many families. Though you can get some great deals online and have them shipped to your front door, you want to be careful. You never know who’s watching your front door. Too many shipments (especially in large boxes), can trigger a stranger to want to take a closer look. Try to minimize deliveries by going to pick them up from the shipper.
Keeping your home and family protected isn’t something that you should just do when you’re on vacation. Burglaries, fires, home invasions, and family emergencies can occur at any time, for any reason. Make sure that you’re doing the best you can to reduce the dangers to the people and things you love most.
