You’ve purchased the basic home security system. You’re one step closer to ensuring your loved ones and belongings are safe from intruders. Except, having an alarm system shouldn’t be your first line of defense against would be burglars.
Most home alarm systems are not visible – and this creates a serious hole in your home security plan. While stickers on your windows and staked signs to put in your garden, announcing your home security system may initially seem like a step in the right direction. The fact remains that to see these indicators, the would be intruder has already crossed a perimeter into our personal space that would make anyone feel uneasy.
Some very simple and cost effective additions to your current alarm system can go a long way in maintaining that perimeter around your home, ensuring that criminals think twice before getting anywhere near your home.
- The simple addition of motion sensor lights can be a huge deterrent! Burglars do not want to be seen prowling around. Even if you’re not home, neighbors and passerby’s mean potential danger to criminals. So adding exterior lighting to your home security system is a must when you consider the small cost of these units.
- Even if you can’t afford to monitor your home’s exterior with security cameras, the cost of ‘dummy’ cameras can be well within anyone’s budget. These cameras look so authentic; there is virtually no way to tell the difference from the real thing. Complete with blinking red lights, these cameras are an excellent deterrent.
- Maintaining your landscaping is also a virtually cost free way of ensuring your home security. Make sure to keep all perimeter trees and shrubs trimmed regularly provide little space for burglars to hide while approaching your home.
- Equipping your home with a driveway alarm to notify you when someone is approaching your home from this direction can be extremely useful. Driveway alarms can also be set up as a perimeter alarm around your entire property – giving you added security and ample warning.
Installing some or all of these simple deterrents decrease the chances of criminals entering your home. And, since all of the above items can be installed or implemented yourself, the cost of installation is a non-issue. DIY home security additions can reduce your homeowner’s insurance and are things that can be done immediately to increase the safety of yourself and loved ones.
