Moving into a new home by yourself or with another is an exciting time. After months of searching you finally found the house that feels like a home, and you’re almost ready to move in.
As moving day approaches, you’ve got a lot to do: finish packing up those boxes, confirm the time with movers, and enlist the help of a few friends to help you unpack.
But once moving day comes and goes, your mind quickly shifts to your new home and its security.
How can you best secure your new home once you’ve moved in?
Inspect all the doors
The front door is the first weakness a burglar will strike when they choose to target your home. A weak door and effortless entry is a burglar’s dream come true – they want to be in and out quickly.
Mail slots and doggy doors can also be an easy way in to your home, so carefully consider whether you really need these or if they should be sealed.
Inspect all the windows
Just as you inspected all the doors, do a full audit of all windows in the home.
Windows are a common entry point as it they are often left unlocked (especially during summer) or have sub-par latches rather than locks. If you’re concerned about your home’s security, don’t neglect your windows.
Take note of their location and what type of lock (if any) they have. Those window latches may suit your home’s traditional aesthetic, but the truth is they’re pretty flimsy and more just for show. Don’t forget about upper storeys, too!
Change the locks
The metaphorical “handing over of the keys” moment is a significant part of purchasing a new home: during this exciting milestone you realise the home is finally yours! But let’s be honest: you won’t be using those keys…
While we’re not accusing the old homeowner of plotting to re-enter their old home once you’ve moved in, you can’t be sure of the number of keys that had previously been copied and shared.
Even if the owner thinks they are handing over all the keys (that they’re aware of, at least) you (and they) don’t know who else might have a copy and who else a key may have been shared with.
When it doubt, start fresh: get a qualified locksmith to come to your home and change all the locks. They can also inspect window locks.
Meet your new neighbours
You don’t have to be best friends, but getting to know your neighbours is a great start to promoting neighbourhood security. They’ll look out for your place if you’ll do the same for them, especially when you’re away on holiday.
You may ask them to:
- Check your mail
- Bring in and take out your bins
- Leave their car in your driveway
- Contact you and/or the police if they see any suspicious behaviour
Think about the garage
The door from the garage into your home can be easily accessed if your garage door is insecure. Many people neglect to keep this door locked when they move from the car to the house, which makes it an easy in for a thief to use your garage as not only an entryway, but as cover, too. That’s a scary thought!
Clear up the garden
If overgrown shrubbery is obscuring windows and doors, you’re providing thieves with the perfect cover when they’re inspecting your home – you’re making it way too easy for them to protect themselves when they’re making their move!
You can read more tell-tale signs that make your home look less secure in this blog post, including the debate over tall, obstructive fences.
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Curtains, shades, and blinds
Window treatments provide more than a tasteful aesthetic to a room: they also hide your home’s valuables from people on the street.
A solid window blind blocks out light and nosey passers-by, while a sheer curtain can be used on its own to let in light but also provides that extra little bit of concealment.
Home security is paramount!
No matter if you’re dealing with an amateur thief whose tactic lies in kicking in a door or a skilled burglar who has been watching a home or neighbourhood for weeks, the best defence to secure a home is to make an invasion as inconvenient and time consuming as possible.
More often than not, a burglar is not willing to expose himself for a prolonged period of time if he finds that it’s simply taking too long to break in. He will quickly realise the risk of capture increases with every passing minute, and eventually, he will give up and abandon his post.
If you’re concerned about home security or door and window locks in your new place, call Galmier Locksmiths today. Alternatively you can get in touch here.
