Are you following these 10 tips to keep your home safe?

​In the winter we huddle down, close the windows, shut the doors, light a fire or turn on the heater. Our families are indoors, and spending time together. During the summer, however, things change. We throw open the windows, prop open the doors, spend time on the patio’s and enjoy the outdoors. Our children are playing outside and we are outdoors grilling. We may even go on vacation! It’s times like these that our homes become more vulnerable to threats – both environmental and criminal. Here we have 10 ways to help you keep your home safe, and still enjoy the summer. 

1. Create a firebreak. There is an elevated risk for fire during the summer months. Mitigate your risk by eliminating dried brush and dead plants around your home.  Keep your lawn watered and short. 
2. Double check doors/windows. It can be easy to shut your windows without thinking about it after letting the breeze in all day, but it can allow easy entry. Double check at night and before leaving your house.
3. Keep up appearances. On vacation have a neighbor tend to your waste cans and newspaper, put a hold on your mail, and for extended trips considering hiring a service to tend to your yard.
4. Lock the pool. 305 children under 5 die in pools each year. Secure your pool using a fence and lock to keep your kids (and curious neighbor kids) out of your pool when you aren’t present.
5. Consider fencing in your yard. Fencing your yard has multiple benefits. It makes backyard points of entry more difficult to access, but also protects your yard and property from stray animals.
6. Wait to share. Certainly, go to your family reunion, or hit the beach this summer. But don’t post about your excitement or share photos during the trip. This advertises that you aren’t home. 
7. Service your HVAC system. Your HVAC system plays an important role in keeping your home cool and your family safe from extreme temperatures during the summer months. It can also be the source of a potentially dangerous fire. Have your system annually serviced to ensure your system is optimally functioning.
8. Keep your car clean. Remove valuables and trash from your vehicle. If your car is clean and empty, it’s less interesting to someone that would break in. A dirty vehicle can hide any number of treasures.
9. Put lights on a timer.  Putting your exterior lights (and a few interior lights) on a timer helps keep up the appearance of someone being home when your gone, but also can give the impression of someone being awake when there is not.
10. Invest in a new home security system. You can make every effort to keep your home safe from criminals, and environmental risk, but there is no replacement for a functioning security system. A security system doesn’t only help capture criminals, but it makes your home a hard target and acts as a deterrent.

Be sure to stay cool, and enjoy the rest of summer!
Call or email today for a free security consultation!