Smart Home Security. No matter who you are or where you live, chances are the roof over your head is the single biggest asset you will ever own. With so much on the line, it is important to protect your investment any way you can.

Whether you are brand new to the world of home ownership or just new to the neighborhood, it is important to evaluate the security of your new property and look for smart ways to upgrade your safety and the safety of your family. Here are a few smart security tips you can use to protect your loved ones and your investment.

  • Research your home security options. From wireless security options you can take with you when you move to wired systems, there are plenty of ways to protect your home and your family.
  • Adding security cameras to the exterior of your home is one of the most effective ways to deter burglars. These cameras as cheap and easy to install, and their very existence could cause the bad guys to go elsewhere.
  • Consider a dummy system if you do not have the funds or the inclination to invest in the real thing. Most burglars will not be able to tell the difference between a fake security sign and a real one or a dummy camera and the genuine article.
  • Add exterior lighting to your home. Placing a spotlight above the front door or lights around the windows can deter burglars and make your home safer at night.
  • Evaluate the landscaping and trim back overgrown trees and bushes. These overgrown landscaping elements can give bad guys a place to hide.
  • Make friends with your new neighbors. In the old days neighbors watched out for one another, and you can resurrect that old tradition with a simple hello.
  • Avoid over-sharing on social media. Avoid the temptation to brag about your upcoming vacation or discuss your weekend getaway. You never know who may be reading.
  • Ask a trusted friend to watch your home when you do go away. Having a friend stop by during the day to take in the mail and check out the property is a great way to deter burglars and keep your home protected.
  • Do not hide an extra key anywhere on your property. Burglars caught on to the fake rock trick a couple decades ago, and any bad guy worth his or her salt knows to check under the welcome mat. If you must stash an extra key somewhere, leave it with a trusted neighbor. Hiding an extra key on your property is just asking for trouble.

Now that you are a proud homeowner, your number one responsibility is protecting your family from danger. Looking at your property with the eyes of a burglar and seeking out new ways to protect your home is important, and now is the perfect time to get started. Home security is everyone’s responsibility, and the steps you take to secure your home could have repercussions for the safety of the entire neighborhood.