If you want to protect your home and family from a burglary or home invasion, you might be wondering what steps you should take to achieve peace of mind. Most people like to think it would never happen to them, but you don’t want to make that mistake. Staying out of harm’s path requires you to take proactive steps. While nothing you do can eliminate the threat, you can make it much harder for someone to break into your home when you least expect it. Click Here for The Bestselling Home Security Products.
A lot of people turn their attention to their doors when trying to keep criminals out, which is a good start. You also want to keep windows secure if you are serious about reducing the threat as much as possible. This guide arms you with the needed information to secure every window in your home, putting your mind at ease. Rather than only using these tips, combine them with a complete home security plan to get the best possible results.
Basement Window Security
Even those who understand the importance of protecting their windows will often overlook the windows in their basement. Being low to the ground makes them an easy target for someone looking for a way into your home. If you have small windows, you might not think an adult criminal could fit, but you would be surprised. Locking your windows is a simple step that a lot of people forget. It might not seem like much but can go a long way when it comes to keeping your home safe.
While locking your windows is a powerful step in the right direction, it’s not always enough to keep criminals at bay. Locked windows discourage those looking for a vulnerable home, but a determined attacker won’t hesitate to smash your windows. Replacing standard basement windows with reinforced glass is another piece of the puzzle that will take you a little closer to your goal.
Many homeowners like to place decorations around their homes, such as bushes and flower beds. You must keep in mind that attackers don’t want other people to see them in the act, so placing bushes and other items around your home gives them the concealment they need. Keeping your home free of obstructions does wonders to reduce your odds of becoming a target. Some people take this tip a step further and place security lights around the parameter of their home.
Window Alarms
When you are taking steps to protect your home from uninvited guests, installing a window alarm is a wise move you won’t regret. You can find a range of alarms at the store and online when you search for them. Although you can find different types, most alarms connect to sensors on your wall and communicate with a base station. If you arm the system and someone opens one of your windows, the alarm will go off and let you know something is wrong.
Some alarms will only activate a siren when they detect movement. If you live in a populated area, the sound is often enough to scare most criminals away. Unless someone has singled you out, the intruder wants to find a home that offers the lowest possible risk. The sound of the alarm can attract unwanted attention and increase the criminal’s odds of getting caught.
You can also get alarms that notify a security company when they detect a problem. You will need to pay a monthly fee for the service, but you can’t put a price on peace of mind. Another option is to get window alarms that connect to the internet and send alerts to your smartphone.
Window Locks
Some people think the locks that came with their windows are enough to prevent someone from getting inside, but they won’t always give you the protection you need. Take your safety and security to the next level by installing additional locks on your windows. You can find small locks that you place over your window, but you can also find bars that lock your windows in place. You don’t want to buy a product that won’t get the job done, so research the lock you have in mind to make sure it won’t let you down.
During this step, homeowners can feel tempted to ignore the windows in upper levels because they don’t think anyone could reach them. Following in their footsteps is not a mistake you want to make if you care about your home and the people in it. It won’t take much for a criminal to grab a ladder and try to access your home from a window on the second floor, so buy enough locks for every window in your home.
Window Security Bars
If reinforced windows don’t put your fears to rest and you want to take your safety to a whole new level, consider using window security bars, also known as burglar bars. You can find them in a range of materials, but you must look for something that can withstand a lot of pressure. A determined criminal will use a crowbar and other tools to break or remove your bars. Look for bars made of copper or steal to stop invaders from getting past your bars and into your home, and you will increase your level of safety.
Depending on your location, it might be normal for people to have bars on the outside of their home. Not everyone wants to install bars because they don’t want to damage the visual appeal of their home. If you can relate to that situation and still want a sense of security, consider installing the bars on the inside of your windows.
Most people won’t even notice the bars, but a criminal won’t want to waste time trying to get through them after busting the glass. Placing bars on your windows is a nice touch that makes it even harder for those with bad intentions to cause harm.
Security Window Film
Don’t forget to look at window security film while increasing your home’s security. You will place the film over your window, and it will make it much harder for someone to break the glass. If you already have reinforced windows, adding the film is another step that will keep you and the people you love safe from the unthinkable.
You don’t want to buy a film unless you know how much force it can handle, so read the label. Most films will tell you how much force they can withstand before breaking, and many people are stunned to discover how strong they are. You can hire a company to install the film if you are not willing to take any chances.
Installing the film yourself is an option if you take the time to read the instructions. Some people forget to place the film on both sides of the window, but make sure you don’t follow in their footsteps. Taking your time and implementing each step properly will let you install the film without stress, and you will be pleased with the results.
Impact-Resistant Windows
If you are getting new windows for your home and want to keep your safety in mind, look for ones that are impact-resistant. You can find windows that resist impacts at most hardware and department stores, and you can ask the employee if you need someone to point you in the right direction. These windows will slow criminals down and make them reconsider targeting your home, and many of them will decide your home is more trouble than it’s worth.
A lot of companies make and sell these windows, but they are not all the same. Homeowners will sometimes buy an impact-resistant window and later discover it does not live up to their expectations. A home invasion is the worst time to learn your windows won’t work as promised, so make sure you opt for a trusted brand.
You will pay a little more up front when you take this path, but the windows you buy will last much longer. They will also perform better than the other options when it comes to keeping you away from danger. A high-quality window will reduce the threat and let you sleep easy at night, knowing you have done the right thing.
Privacy Window Film
When criminals decide to break into a home, they know they are taking a big risk. They will face fines and years behind bars if someone discovers what they have done, so they want to ensure the potential payout is worth it. Rather than striking right away, they will watch you so that they can learn your routine and habits.
They also want to know where you keep your cash, jewelry, electronic devices and other valuable items. Since criminals won’t enter your home while they are sizing you up, they will try watching you through your windows. You can get a privacy film to prevent them from seeing inside. This step might seem small but will go a long way to protect your home from being the next target.
Blinds
If you want to protect your privacy but are not ready to install a window film, you might think you are out of options, but you are not. You can pick up some blinds to achieve the same result. You will get some setbacks with blinds that you would not experience with a window tint. For example, a window tint can block people from seeing inside your home without stopping you from seeing outside.
Also, tinted windows can still let some sunlight enter your home, which is a benefit blinds don’t offer. The benefit of getting blinds is that they are much cheaper and easier to install than the other option.
Go to the store and look for blinds that match the style and layout of your home, and you can boost your home’s appearance while safeguarding yourself from possible crimes. Some people get blinds as a temporary solution until they can afford tinting all of the windows in their home, and you should consider doing the same.
Window Security Screens
Window security shutters are a powerful tool in any home security plan. You can find metal shutters that retract when not in use so that they won’t impact your home’s visual appeal. Metal security shutters boost your safety by making it hard for criminals to gain access to your home, and you will be pleased with the outcome. They come in a range of types to meet your needs and budget.
You can buy shutters that require you to open and close them by hand, or you can get some that operate on a timer. Other shutters connect to the internet and allow you to control them from any location with internet access. Some people install shutters on the outside of their windows and don’t follow steps to secure the bolts or screws.
This oversight gives criminals the chance to remove the shutters, but doing so will take them some time. Some criminals won’t want to spend the time to remove the shutters, but a few of them will still try. Either way, covering the bolts is a smart way to avoid that problem and stay safe.
Final Thoughts
Following a proven plan to secure your windows will take your home security to where you want it, and you will be thrilled when you realize how much safer you are. Your windows are the weakest point in your home’s exterior, and that is why protecting them is essential.
The tips you have discovered in this guide let you turn your home into a fortress that makes it next to impossible for the average criminal to get inside. Implementing all these steps will take time and money, so you must decide how far you need to go when it comes to protecting yourself and the people you love.
Some people are content with using alarms that detect movement and glass breaking, but others opt for bullet-resistant glass and steel shutters. Only you know what is right for you and your family. As you move forward, decide what level of security makes sense for your situation.
Additional Resources:
https://brinkshome.com/
https://www.adt.com/home-security
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Safety_and_security_window_film
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Security_alarm
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Home_security