Home security isn’t something you really tend to consider until you know there’s a reason to worry about it. I learnt this the hard way at University; I knew my shared house wasn’t in the best of areas but I never worried about how secure we were until a friend had someone break in and walk into her room while she was sleeping in the middle of the night. Luckily she was completely fine, though her possessions weren’t.
Now that I’ve moved on from University and I’m living in my own place, security is something I think is massively important. How secure is your home? I mean, I showed you how to fit all of your techy gadgets into your tiny home, but now you think it’s fine if all you have is a lock on your door to protect them?
Well I’m here to walk you through your options from the cheapest (and generally easiest) home security features to the more expensive and most secure. And if I do this right, hopefully you’ll finish reading these home security tips with an idea of what to do next to make your home as secure as it can be.
Contents
- 1 9 Home Security Tips
9 Home Security Tips
1. Door and Window Alarms
If you’re on a budget, this is probably the best tip for you. Your bank balance won’t quite stretch to 24hr surveillance and a private security team on standby for your calls; I get that. A door or window alarm is normally a small magnetic device that clips onto either side of your door or window and lets out an ear-shattering screech when the two sides are pulled apart.
The idea is that a would-be thief will kick your door open, only to be greeted with a noise so loud they turn on their heel and run away. And what if that doesn’t stop them? Well, if you’re home, you’ll be woken and alerted to the intrusion. If you’re not at home, a neighbour or passer-by will hopefully phone the police.
This pack of 8 mini door and window alarms are perfect for any budget and contains enough to cover most standard houses, meaning no window will go unprotected.
2. Home Security Light
If you want a relatively cheap way to deter potential thieves, get a home security light. So, it might not be as fantastic as an alarm, but it does the job. If someone’s about to break into your place and they get a giant light flashed into their face, they’re hopefully going to turn around and run in case they are seen.
With a range up to 12m/40ft, this light will detect any intruders trying their luck long before they get close enough to cause any damage. There are plenty of customisable settings, such as whether it comes on only at night and how long it is on for (between 5 seconds and 8 minutes).
It is also electric, so will work even if you’re away as it won’t have to rely on batteries being replaced if they run out. It is 30% brighter than most other models of its type as a bonus.
Want something battery powered for less fuss? The NICREW 600-Lumen Outdoor LED Security Light is a great bet.
3. Fake TV Light
You’re going away on holiday, or to a friend’s house for the evening, so what can you do to make sure people don’t bust down your door and take all your stuff while you’re not around to stop them? Make them think you’re still in the house.
Unfortunately leaving a lamp or two on is the done thing and criminals have wised up to our tricks. Keeping the TV on would be much more convincing, but a complete waste of electricity. So, a fake TV light is the next best thing.
It’s tiny, with a bright light that flickers to simulate the look of a television being on. It has a light sensor, so it’ll automatically activate itself when it gets dark and will stay on until you turn it off (or the sun comes up).
4. Dummy Home Security Camera
This is the slightly cheaper, and less secure version of a real security system. I’m not entirely sure how I feel about dummy cameras – on the one hand, it could make any potential thieves think twice before picking on your house because it’ll seem like they have a higher chance of getting caught. On the other hand, you might just be making them think you have something inside you really don’t want to be stolen, which would give them even more incentive to target you.
You will have to decide whether you want one for yourself, but the good news is that they now look even more realistic than ever, so they aren’t overtly fake.
This one is ‘powered’ by batteries, so there is a flashing red light, to make it look more realistic. You can also buy it as a set of two or four for added security around the external area. It isn’t a bad price for a bonus item, but I wouldn’t rely on them entirely.
5. ILA Door Wedge
This is technically for travellers worried about their safety, but that doesn’t mean you couldn’t use at it home too.
Jam this doorstop under a door to make it more difficult to open. If you’re travelling you could do this to your hotel room door, or if you’re a student then under your bedroom door. But if you want to use it at home, you can wedge it under your front door. Just make sure it isn’t going to be opened by anyone you know.
If someone tries to force your door, the wedge lets out an almighty scream. It won’t just alert you; it’ll inform everyone in the area. And hopefully, that’ll be enough to scare the intruder away. It is a great price to say you can take it with you next time you go away on holiday or a business trip or use it to guard your home while you are away, for any backdoors.
6. Concealed Security Box – Book Safe
Using a book safe is an excellent way of hiding some special jewellery or extra cash you’ve got around the house. But they usually stick out like a sore thumb. I mean, come on, you have a Dictionary twice the height of all your other books? You need to find one that is so convincing you could pop it in a bedside drawer or on a bookshelf and forget about it yourself!
The German text may seem like it would be a giveaway, but how is a burglar to know you aren’t fluent? It is the most realistic option I could find available, especially as the edging looks deceptively like real paper pages. It is also a proper lock and key safe, rather than a slider like a lot of other book safes. Not that anyone will be able to tell what it is to get this far anyway.
7. Home Security Camera
NEST Cam
Unlike a lot of other indoor security cameras with modern technology, this camera can fully function by itself without a lot of added extras. All it needs is a plug socket and Wi-Fi. You can view a live feed from the camera directly on your smartphone, tablet or PC from anywhere in the world.
You will also be sent notifications if there is motion detected, and it will capture everything and send it to the Cloud for storage, so it isn’t lost. Built-in night vision will allow you to see clearly whatever time of day it is.
I love the fact that it has a speaker so that you can speak into your phone’s microphone and the camera will pick it up.
It is expensive, but you can’t put a price on quality security. You could also use it as a pet monitor during the day when you’re at work, or a baby monitor.
The Canary All-in-One
The Canary All-in-One Home Security Camera is another great option, with the added bonus that you can order a high-pitched siren to sound if you do have to disturb any unwelcome visitors. There is a monthly cost to make the most of all functions.
8. Home Security And Automation Device
Yale Wireless Easy Fit Telecommunicating Starter Alarm
A pretty standard item in most homes, but there is a chance you don’t have one. Getting them fitted professionally can be a real costly encounter, so the Yale Alarm is easy to set up yourself for an extra piece of mind.
It comes with 1 siren, 1 PIR motion detector, 1 door or window contact and 1 main control panel, with more extras available as further purchases.
Home Essentials Flashing Dummy Siren
Getting a flashing dummy siren will act as a further deterrent on the outside, yet look realistic with the light aspect.
9. Video Doorbell
It is a sad reality that not all unwelcome guests are unannounced these days. Crimes committed against those posing as engineers, workmen and doorstep charity workers are on the rise, especially against the elderly. A video doorbell allows you to see who is at the door before you go to answer it.
You can use it at day and night, and with HD quality recording, faces are captured clearly. It is compatible with iOS, Android and Windows Phones, so you don’t have to be in the house to see who is at your door.
There are motion detection zones which alert you when someone is approaching your door, long before they ring the bell. Two-way audio also allows you to speak to visitors, and them to you.
Hopefully this has helped you to make your home a bit more secure. If you want anymore advice, check out the Metropolitan Police’s awesomely named ‘Operation Bumblebee’ site with key points for each area of your home. If you’ve got anything you think I’ve missed let me know in the comments below or over on Facebook or Twitter.
These are great options for those who can’t afford or don’t want to invest in a full home security system. I had never seen the light that makes it look like the tv is on, but it seems like a very simple idea that would actually work. I think a combination of several of these ideas, or possibly all of them, would be enough to help people have some peace of mind.
Gaston Parizeau |
That dummy security camera idea is interesting. I can see how that would deter thieves from wanting to break in. My husband and I recently moved into a new home and we want to make sure that our home security is up to date and effective. We will have to try out a few of these ideas, thanks for the info.