Enhancing home security: Does your home have these safety features?

Securing your home is essential to preventing theft and helping family members feel safe in the middle of the night. If you want some tips on improving home security, consider some of the four safety features detailed below. (h/t to DoomsdayMoose.com)

Security doors

Security doors or exterior doors are your first line of defense against intruders. These doors may resemble classic storm doors and they usually include their own locks.

Compared to regular front doors, security doors are more effective at keeping out trespassers. Security doors can also withstand storms and harsh weather. Overall, security doors offer a greater degree of overall protection than regular doors.

You can also use security doors for certain rooms in your home that you want to give extra protection, like home offices where sensitive materials are stored. Security doors are also ideal for escape doors or routes leading to basements, panic rooms, and vaults.

There are two standard types of security doors:

1. Openwork steel doors – An openwork steel door looks like a wrought iron door and they have a tempered glass back panel.
2. Reinforced doors – Reinforced doors may look like a regular wood or fiberglass door, but they are often made with steel. These types of doors also have reinforced side fixing.

Here are some of the pros of a security door:

• You can add alarms, deadbolts, or door chains to security doors for extra protection.
• Security doors usually come with hinge screws. It is difficult to open a security door even if the hinge pins are removed.
• Hinges on security doors are usually hidden. This makes it harder to break into a house or a room with a security door.
• The keys that come with a security door can only be duplicated by the manufacturer. You can rest easy knowing that complete strangers can’t get copies of your house keys without your explicit permission.
• If you get a security door with a peephole, you can check who’s on the other side before you let them inside your house.

Here are the cons of a security door:

• Sturdy security doors aren’t cheap.
• You need professional assistance to install a high-quality security door correctly.
• In time, steel security doors can get rusty and corroded. This may weaken their protective features.
• These doors lack insulation, which can make them a poor choice in areas with hot and cold climates.

Do your research before purchasing a security door to ensure that you buy a product that suits your specific home security needs.

Home alarms

A home alarm can help savvy homeowners protect their property. If you currently have a home alarm system set up, you may want to upgrade to a newer model to take advantage of more features that can improve your home security.

Some home alarms have sensitive motion sensors that can tract movements near doors, windows, and other areas all over your house.

Surveillance cameras

With surveillance cameras, you can monitor your home remotely. Newer security cameras can capture detailed images of intruders and cover larger areas around your property.

Certain camera systems with motion sensors can even capture images of trespassers and let you receive pictures and video footage on a smart mobile phone. Other types of security cameras have infrared technology that can identify trespassers at night. (Related: Pro tips: Simple ways to keep your home safe from burglars.)

Automatic gates

Homeowners with a large property may benefit from automatic gates, especially if their land can be accessed via several entrances. Automatic gates can keep out trespassers or burglars.

Using a handheld remote, you can easily access your property without having to open a gate manually. Sturdy automatic gates are often made of metal or other high-quality materials.

Your home is a long-term investment that needs to be protected at all costs. If you want to beef up your home security, consider implementing some of the safety measures above.

Sources include:

DoomsdayMoose.com

AngiesList.com