Amidst the rush and planning of moving into a new home, many people leave the important task of home security on the back burner. Instead of making that mistake, run down this checklist to make sure you haven’t slipped in the realm of safety for your property and family.
1. Is your home vulnerable to fire? Fire protection goes beyond your fireplace and barbecue. Have smoke detectors placed in every area of your home -- at least one per two rooms -- and test the batteries on a regular basis. Get a fire extinguisher to keep near your kitchen in case a fire breaks out in this combustible area. Be mindful of space heaters and overloaded outlets. Find out how to connect the smoke detectors to your home alarm system so you can alert the whole family and the authorities as well. Set up an evacuation plan and do a test run with the family.
2. Have you grown lax about locking all the doors? It may sound simple, but it’s one step in home security that is overlooked more than you think. Keep all the doors locked, even if you like the feeling of an open house. It is never unwise to err on the side of caution when it comes to locking up. The same goes for the doors to your car, inside the garage or not. Also, don’t be in the habit of leaving a key under the mat.
3. You still don’t have a home alarm system? It may seem like second nature to you at this point -- the comfort provided by a security system. You’d be surprised by the number of homes that remain unprotected and are targeted as a result. Home alarm systems do not require much in the way of installations (especially wireless ones) and available in every price range. Going unprotected is taking a lot of chances.
4. Have your screened your domestic employees? For the same reason police detectives first investigate those with free access (Michael Jackson’s doctor, for example), you have to be careful not to let anyone with an undefined history to wander through the halls of your home on a regular basis. Do a background check and get solid references from any domestic employees.
5. Are the elderly and the young at risk in your home? A sleek new bath tub; a beautiful hard wood floor; what might signify class and elegance to you could mean danger to the elderly or to young children. Before you make any changes to your home, figure out how it will affect the safety of all family members. It’s one area in which style should never overrule substance.
In the modern era, the benefits of being well-organized are well-known. Apply the same principle to keeping your family safe. Combine overall awareness with a
home alarm system from ADT. Knowing you have made all the right decisions and having a great
home alarm system to back it up will keeping you sleeping soundly at night.
