June is National Safety Month! We know that keeping your family and home safe are the two biggest priorities. Luckily, you don't have to splurge to make your house extra secure.
ASK A NEIGHBOR TO COLLECT YOUR MAIL WHEN OUT OF TOWN
A full mailbox and untouched packages are a major indicator of a vacant home. It's a simple solution that we sometimes forget during the chaos of preparing for vacation. Keep curious burglars away by arranging for a neighbor to hold your mail while you go out of town. LIGHTS ON A TIMER Another great tip to make it appear as if you're home is to put timers on your lights. If somebody is checking out your house because they believe you're out of town, lights being turned on and off are a good way to scare them off. You can pick up this 2 pack of outlet timers for only $10.99 on Amazon.
WAIT TO POST THE VACATION PICTURES
We know, this is a hard one. When you're having an amazing time on vacation, you want to show off all the adventures along the way. But letting the public know that your house is unoccupied for days in a row isn't the best idea. At the very least, change the privacy settings on your post so that only certain people know you're gone!
SECURITY BARS ON WINDOWS AND SLIDING DOORS Make vulnerable areas safer, such as windows and sliding doors, which have less sturdy locks and can easily be shattered. Adding a security bar to these entries will make it far tougher for an intruder to break in through them.
ADD A SECURITY CAMERA
This item is a little pricier than some of the other tips, but well worth it for all that it does. There's a variety of security cameras out there that range drastically in price and function. One of our favorites is the Ring Spotlight Cam. Priced at $199, this camera has security spotlights, two way talk, and siren capabilities. It runs off of WiFi and immediately notifies you of any movement, allowing you to see the footage live.
SECONDARY SECURITY LOCKS
Adding a swing bar or chain lock to your exterior doors creates one more tough barrier that a burglar would need to break through to enter your home. Plus, this one costs less than $6! This item will provide you with some peace of mind at a very low cost. These locks are also nice for families with curious toddlers who can reach door knobs.
KEYPAD DEADBOLT
Instead of leaving a spare key outside, add a keypad lock (such as this one) to your exterior door to provide access into the home. Most thieves know the usual outdoor hiding spots for spares, so keypad door locks ensure you can get back inside if you get locked out, while keeping your home as secure as possible.
WINDOW SECURITY FILM
If you're in need of replacement windows, upgrading to shatterproof is the way to go. But that's a costly update. For those who aren't planning on replacing their windows soon, adding a security film can help deter a burglar in the event they try to break a window. This 8 mil clear film sticks inside the window and holds the pane together even if the glass has shattered.
WINDOW AND DOOR ALARMS
Don't have the money for a full home security system? For only $12.99, these door and window alarms will alert you if anything is opened. They're a cheap way to not only prevent someone from entering undetected, but it's another item that can aid in baby proofing a household with young children.
SECURITY SYSTEM
There's so many options for home security companies, which perfectly allow you to customize and budget to your needs. SimpliSafe is a good option to start your search. With no long-term contracts and plans starting at $14.99/month, you can test out their services quite affordably. Not only do these systems protects against home intruders, but they have plans that include fire protection, notifications for pipes that are at risk of freezing, and water leaks.
Have any other tips for easy home security? Let us know your favorite gadgets or DIY advice in the comments below!