How To Secure Your Home

A home should be a sanctuary of safety, security, and peace—a place to escape the stresses of life. Today, creating a safe home involves thoughtful planning and decisive action. However, that doesn’t mean securing your home should be complicated or overwhelming. 

Use this guide to learn easy-to-apply tips to start feeling safer overnight, like locking all entry points and pruning landscaping. Consider long-term security options like whole-home energy backup that will never leave you in the dark during power outages and installing security systems with cameras, alarms, and smart technology. 

With these strategies, you’ll gain peace of mind knowing your home is well protected. 

Securing Doors and Windows

1. Lock all entry points, including entry doors, garage doors, and windows. Each one needs the appropriate lock. 
2. Use deadbolts. Deadbolts are harder to pick and break than key locks. It’s a good idea to have both installed on every entry door. Additionally, some homeowners insurance premiums can be reduced if a deadbolt is installed. Talk to your insurance provider to see if other home security practices will also lower the premium. 
3. Secure sliding doors. Foot looks are a great option to install on sliding doors. They prevent the door from sliding if accidentally left unlocked. 
4. Reinforce locks. Thieves often don’t pick locks. Instead, they bust down doors with kicks. Doorjamb reinforcement kits help reinforce the weakest parts of the door, making it harder to kick down. 

Outdoor Lighting Tips

1. Install motion detection spotlights. These lights turn on once they detect motion. They will catch burglars by surprise and cause them to flee the premises. Motion detection lights work best when installed in high-traffic areas, entryways, and backyards. 
2. Light all entrances. Every entrance should be well-lit. It is harder for thieves to break in at night if there is a chance to be clearly seen. 
3. Illuminate additional areas. EcoFlow DELTA Series Portable Power Stations can power outdoor lighting in patio areas, fences, and near sheds, which are away from outlets. Not only can this enhance your home’s aesthetic, but keeping these areas lit will deter thieves from prowling. These portable power stations provide enough power for lighting and additional electronics, like speakers, when needed. They also provide home energy security, reducing dependence on the traditional electrical grid.
4. Mimic being home with indoor lights. Invest in indoor lights that can be automated. From the outside, it will give the impression that someone is home when a room light turns on and off. 

Building Neighborhood Awareness

1. Get to know your neighbors. Introduce yourself to your neighbors on all sides of your home. Not only is it friendly to do so, but it builds a relationship, and you guys will become allies in home security. The neighbors will be more likely to step up and call the police if they see suspicious activity. 
2. Join a neighborhood watch group. These groups work with local law enforcement to reduce crime, such as break-ins. If one doesn’t exist, then start one. 
3. Talk to the police. Gain insight into the neighborhood’s crime history. The police may also provide neighbourhood-specific crimes to watch out for, such as the style of a break-in or common valuables being targeted. The police may also offer to survey your home, providing insight into areas that can be improved to deter thieves. 

Installing Home Security Systems

1. Door and window alarm systems. Magnetic alarms detect when doors and windows are opened. The software can notify your phone when either has been opened and identify its location. Basic sensors don’t require Wi-Fi; an alarm will go off when triggered, but more sophisticated ones do. 
2. Security cameras. Consider installing security cameras around your home. Many cameras notify your phone if movement is detected, allowing you to watch the live stream. These cameras can also come with intercoms, allowing the user to speak through the camera. This is often a great deterrent to thieves.
3. Smart home panel. EcoFlow Smart Home Panel allows you to control and monitor all your home’s electrical power from your phone. The smart home panel ensures all your installed security systems have constant power, keeping your home secure. 

Landscaping for Security

1. Look for potential hiding spots for thieves. Dark corners, walkways, and behind shelters are great places for thieves to lurk. Install motion-activated lights in these areas or fill them with landscaping or furniture. 
2. Secure outdoor valuables. Lock up any grills and other expensive outdoor electronics. Hide lawnmowers in sheds or under tarps. Secure sheds, recreational vehicles, and gates with thick locks to prevent them from being cut. 
3. Keep bushes trimmed. Trim back bushes and hedges around windows, especially basement windows, so entry points are visible to neighbors. Neighbors can’t witness a crime or stop one if they can’t see it. Cut tree limbs that could be used to access second-story windows. 
4. Landscape for thief prevention. Thorny bushes under a window make it difficult to access the window. Crunchy gravel near entry doors and windows will make sounds when walked on. 

Safe Personal Habits

1. Build a safe room. A safe room is a secure place in the home during home invasions and natural disasters. It protects your family and you. Ensure it’s well-stocked and equipped with a backup energy supply. 
2. Don’t post about being away while away. Vacation is exciting, whether for a day or a week, but don’t advertise that no one is home. Wait to post pictures until you’re back. 
3. Rekey Locks. After purchasing a new house, all the locks should be replaced or rekeyed. You never know how many keys the previous owners gave to friends or neighbors. If moving into an apartment, ask the landlord to rekey the locks. 
4. Ask for identification before allowing entry. Always ask the repairman, delivery man, or other scheduled servicemen for identification before allowing them to enter your home. You always have the right to ask for identification. Thieves may try to pose as someone else to gain entry to your home, whether to scope it out initially or to see if you are home. 

Vacation Security Measures

1. Have mail paused. Piled-up mail and newspapers are obvious signs that someone is away from home. Ask the post office to pause mail delivery until you return home or have a friend pick it up. 
2. Tell a trusted neighbor. After introducing yourself to the neighbors, ask them to watch your home while you’re on vacation. They can look for broken windows or other out-of-place items. If they see someone leering, they will feel more confident calling the police.
3. Backup home power. Security systems, especially Wi-Fi-compatible ones, require electricity. Use an EcoFlow DELTA Series Solar Generator to keep your home powered in case of a blackout. These solar generators combine EcoFlow DELTA Pro Ultra with EcoFlow Rigid Solar Panels for reliable power. 

Protecting Valuable Items

1. Buy a safe. Store valuables like jewelry, important documents, and cash in a safe. Then, hide the safe out of sight. A waterproof and fireproof safe will secure your valuables from unexpected disasters. 
2. Keep them out of sight. If you don’t want to store everything in a safe, keep it away from windows. Don’t leave expensive technology like computers and gaming systems in clear view from a window. Never leave money or jewelry sitting out. If left out, close the blinds or curtains in rooms with these items. 
3. Insure valuable items. Despite numerous security measures, there is always a chance of a break-in. For expensive items, consider taking out home insurance that covers them if they are lost, stolen, or broken. 
4. Be cautious when hosting. When guests are over, be aware of what items are on display. While showing off new valuables might seem fun, it’s best to refrain from advertising them. Ensure guests are unaware of where valuables are stored. 

Securing Your Wi-Fi Network

Change the SSID. The service set identifier (SSID) is the name of your Wi-Fi. Often, it’s initially set to the company’s name, which is easy for hackers to search for. Throw them off by renaming the SSID to something more personal. 

Unique password. Your password should be unique and strong. It should contain 20 characters, including capitalized letters, numbers, and special characters. More complicated passwords are more complex to hack, which protects your home’s network. 

Guest network. While providing Wi-Fi access for your guests is nice, this creates an opportunity for hackers to access your devices. A guest Wi-Fi network keeps your devices and theirs separate. 

Firewalls. A firewall acts as a guard for those trying to access your personal information from a device. It will not allow hackers into your systems, protecting your information. Some operating systems come with a firewall, so ensure that it is turned on. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Final Thoughts

Protecting your home can be a manageable task. Many small adjustments can provide a huge level of security. Always locking entryways, installing motion sensor lights, introducing yourself to the neighbors, having wise landscaping, hiding valuable items out of sight, and having a unique Wi-Fi password are great starting points. 

You can also provide protection with video recording cameras, entryway alarms, and locking valuables in a safe. Protect your home even further by ensuring reliable power for installed security systems and other electronics during blackouts with Ecoflow Portable Power Stations.