Securing a new home for the move

Becoming a homeowner is a great responsibility and certainly a big milestone to reach to. Every year, several American families include ‘buying a house’ as a goal in their to-do list but only a handful smart and hardworking people achieve it. If you are one of those, congratulations on your big purchase. The achievement certainly calls for a celebration but before you send invites to your friends and family, make sure you have secured the house for a pleasant and safe stay.

iMoving, a credible moving services provider and a trusted platform where thousands of people search for the best national and local moving companies, state that people who have bought a house recently are too excited to move in to it. They are head over heels with their achievement and at times, this excitement cost them a big time. Why? Because moving is an intensive process that should never be underestimated. People tend to forget important things including securing their home before moving in.

Importance of securing a house:

Buying a house is a big achievement that is possible only with sensible financial planning and a lot of hard work. When you invest such efforts and money in a house, ensuring that the property is safe and maintained is a due obligation. Because you must have made some significant financial sacrifices in order to buy the house, you must not overlook the importance of maintenance.

Moreover, protecting your property means you are ensuring a safe haven for your family. A secure house provides peace of mind and a sense of fulfillment as you keep your loved ones under a roof, protected from a range of danger that the current societal conditions pose on you.

So, how do you secure your home? Well, there are plenty of proven and recommended ways to secure a house and in this article, we have discussed some of the most credible ways to secure your new home. So, let us discuss in greater details:

Check that the door and window locks are fully functional:

If the doors and windows of your house are not secure, you are providing easy access to the burglars to break into the house. The situation becomes even worse if you stay away from your home on weekends or for a significant time of the day. If thieves get to know your daily routine, they might take this as an opportunity to check on your house and find a way to slip in. The first thing that the burglars would be looking for is whether there is a window or door in your house that can allow them easy access to your home.

Thus, ensuring that all the windows and doors in your house are easy to lock is very important. If you find any loophole, make sure you get it repaired as soon as possible to protect your house. Moreover, security experts also recommend that you get the door and window locks changed or rekeyed soon after you move into a new house.

Get a monitored alarm system for your home:

Alarm systems make your house security more powerful. It is an added layer of security that prevents you from the threat of burglary. An investment in home automation and monitored alarm systems is worth considering to ensure foolproof security of your home.

There are ample of choices in the market when it comes to home security options. Depending upon your budget and the level of protection you want for your home, you can choose the most appropriate option. To ensure you make a credible purchase, there are certain important factors that you must keep in your mind including:

• The size, entry and exit points of your new home.

• The requirements of your new neighborhood.

• The investment cost as well as the maintenance charges that you will have to pay to acquire or to maintain the security system.

• Brand evaluation as well as the customer service provided by the security system provider.

• Extra features including fire alarm and carbon monoxide leak detection system.

• Automation level; can the software be integrated with your smartphone?

Whether you stay at home or not, having a smart home security system will offer you peace of mind as well as your property’s safe keeping.

Lighting system; especially in the outdoor:

Make sure you have sufficient lighting in the outdoors. If there is significant darkness, you are offering a hiding cover to thieves to observe or to find an easy way to break into your house. You must install powerful outdoor lights or even consider investing in motion sensing lights. These lights switch on when any type of activity is detected. The modern day solutions allow you to get lights with a timer which are a great option when you stay away from your home for a significant time. With lights turning on and off every day, the thieves and burglars eyeing your house gets an impression that the house has occupancy and thus keeps your house protected.

Clear the shrubs and trim the trees:

Greenery is good for a healthy life but a lot of it around your house is risky for your house’s security. When you have a lot of overgrown trees and shrubs around your house, it offers a hideout to the burglars. The abundance of shrubs and overgrown trees can make it tough for you to see the outdoor area clearly and increase the darkness. Take out some time and trim the trees and work on the shrubs to ensure that your house and its surroundings are in a clear view.

Garage is an important aspect:

Garage is the one entry point which is more and more frequently being used by criminals to get entry to your home. Even if the garage is not connected with the home, there is sufficient amount of expensive stuff that we keep in the Garage. It is very important that you secure your garage with good door locks and make a habit to keep it locked always.

Today, you can invest in a number of options that come with a smart garage locking system. You can set a security code for the access and ensure that the garage is firmly locked. However, to ensure optimal security, keep the garage lock code a secret. The best ways to secure the garage include:

• Upgrading to a smart garage door opener.

• Have covers on the windows to avoid any peeks.

• Get garage doors with extra locks.

• Home automation systems work better with enhanced security.

Add security cameras:

CCTV camera installation systems are a credible way to secure your home. There have been several cases where security camera footage has helped security personnel to get a hold of burglars. This security system option not only allows you to keep a close eye over the activity on your property, but it also allows you to get justice as CCTV footage serves as a great evidence in the court.

You have two options, either go for a camera system that is a part of your home security system or install a separate CCTV network that works on its own.

Whichever option you choose, it is important that you invest in a security camera option that allows easy integration with mobile phones. Some of the key features you must look for while buying a security guard system include:

• Motion detection

• Night vision

• Wi-Fi capability

• Two-way talk

• Local or cloud storage

• Weatherproof casing for outdoor cameras

Invest in a safe:

In the worst case scenario, if the burglar somehow manages to get into your property, there is a safe way you can keep your belongings protected. An in-house safe is a secure way to keep your valuables protected at all times. You can keep your important documents, jewelry, some cash and other such high-value items in this vault and keep them protected. Make sure that you invest in a safe that is fire-resistant, waterproof, and heavy.

Securing your home is very important. As you plan for a safe relocation and find ways to keep yourself sane during the moving process, you must also take it time to decide your safety options at the new home. Use the tips and tricks mentioned in this article and ensure that your new home offers you safe living space as well as peace of mind.

This article does not necessarily reflect the opinions of the editors or management of EconoTimes