What Does Home Security Really Mean?
Everyone knows that one of the main functions of a home security system is to keep unwanted people out of your house. It's probably why the majority of homeowners install them in the first place. However, there is much more to home security than simply keeping the bad guy away. Home security is about keeping the people you love safe. Safe from burglars, safe from fires, safe from falls and so on.
You have certainly taken a major step toward residential security if you have already purchased and installed a home security system. If you have included third-party off-site monitoring services with your system, even better. However, you need to make sure that your smoke alarms, carbon monoxide alarms and fire detectors are all linked to your master alarm system. This way, your alarm will go off for any of these reasons, not just if someone breaks into your house.
In addition to the threats of burglary, fire, carbon monoxide and smoke, you face other risks just by being a homeowner. For instance, if there is a pool on your property, you need to make sure it is completely inaccessible by children unless there is an adult going with them. You put yourself at immense risk by not having the pool surrounded by a fence and a locked gate.
Falls are another risk that you have to assess when you own a home. Falls are the number one way people get injured around the house. You should make sure all of your staircases are secure, have non-slip treads and are equipped with handrails. Porches should be surrounded by rails or fences and the slats should be up to code to make sure no one can slip between them and fall. Windows, particularly upper-floor windows should be secured so that no one can lean on the screen and fall out. If you have children, there should be nothing they can climb on to reach the windows and potentially fall out.
It is a lot of fun owning your own home, but it can be a little dangerous too. When you develop your security plan, though, consider more than just what could happen if an intruder broke in. Consider risks that are already a part of your house that you can remedy yourself. Home security is about keeping the people you love secure. You want to keep them safe from every threat you can imagine and it all starts with being proactive.
You have certainly taken a major step toward residential security if you have already purchased and installed a home security system. If you have included third-party off-site monitoring services with your system, even better. However, you need to make sure that your smoke alarms, carbon monoxide alarms and fire detectors are all linked to your master alarm system. This way, your alarm will go off for any of these reasons, not just if someone breaks into your house.
In addition to the threats of burglary, fire, carbon monoxide and smoke, you face other risks just by being a homeowner. For instance, if there is a pool on your property, you need to make sure it is completely inaccessible by children unless there is an adult going with them. You put yourself at immense risk by not having the pool surrounded by a fence and a locked gate.
Falls are another risk that you have to assess when you own a home. Falls are the number one way people get injured around the house. You should make sure all of your staircases are secure, have non-slip treads and are equipped with handrails. Porches should be surrounded by rails or fences and the slats should be up to code to make sure no one can slip between them and fall. Windows, particularly upper-floor windows should be secured so that no one can lean on the screen and fall out. If you have children, there should be nothing they can climb on to reach the windows and potentially fall out.
It is a lot of fun owning your own home, but it can be a little dangerous too. When you develop your security plan, though, consider more than just what could happen if an intruder broke in. Consider risks that are already a part of your house that you can remedy yourself. Home security is about keeping the people you love secure. You want to keep them safe from every threat you can imagine and it all starts with being proactive.