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<p class="has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size">Decorating your new home is definitely more fun than setting up security measures. But burglars strike every 30 seconds, so home security should be a top priority. To help you get back to the fun stuff, here are 11 simple things you should do right away to secure your new home.</p>
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<p class="has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size">1. Set up a security system</p>
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<p class="has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size">Your new home should have some form of a security system, whether it’s a basic DIY system or one that comes with professional monitoring and home automation features. Today there are plenty of home security options for every budget and every level of protection.</p>
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<p class="has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size">To choose a system that you’re comfortable with, Dr. Stickle recommends evaluating the needs of your neighborhood and your house. "Once you know the likely risks," he explains, "evaluate your home to see what is needed to protect it." </p>
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<p class="has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size">You can contact your local police department for neighborhood crime statistics and help doing a home security evaluation of your home.​</p>
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<h2 class="has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size">2. Secure the doors</h2>
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<p class="has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size">Don’t help a burglar stroll in through the front door (34% of them do!). Inspect all of your exterior doors to make sure the door frames are strong, the hinges are protected, and—if your door has a mail slot—that someone can’t reach through it to unlock the door.</p>
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<p class="has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size">If you're moving into a residence that someone else used to call home, change the door locks. That way you won't have strangers out there with a key to your house, and you can make sure your locks are the best on the market.</p>
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<p class="has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size">Here are some quick reinforcements we recommend to help you shore up these vital entryways.</p>
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<ul class="has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size"><li>Install a deadbolt. </li><li>Add a strike plate.</li><li>Upgrade to smart locks.</li><li>Boost security with a video doorbell.</li><li>Secure the mail slot.</li></ul>
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<p class="has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size"><strong>Reinforce sliding glass doors</strong></p>
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<p class="has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size">Intruders love sliding doors, so make sure yours are protected. You can go old-school and use a window bar or dowel in the track to keep the door from being forced open. If you want a high-tech solution, add a door sensor or glass break sensor. These will alert you if the glass door is tampered with—and should scare off thieves.</p>
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<p class="has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size">3. Lock the windows</p>
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<p class="has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size">According to theft expert Dr. Ben Stickle, windows are "a common entry point for criminals" and may be left shut but unlocked by the previous homeowner. Plus, manufacturer latches on windows aren’t always effective—and sometimes they’re downright flimsy.</p>
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<p class="has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size">If you don’t like the looks of your window latches, beef up security with aftermarket window locks or key-operated levers. But you don’t have to stop there.</p>
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<p class="has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size">We have some other good ideas to help make your windows burglar-proof.</p>
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<ul class="has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size"><li>Reinforce glass with window security film.</li><li>Install window sensors or glass break sensors.</li><li>Add window bars.</li><li>Plant prickly bushes under first-floor windows (but be sure to keep them trimmed).</li></ul>
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<p class="has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size">4. Light up the landscape</p>
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<p class="has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size">Vandals, burglars, and other criminals don’t like to be in the spotlight. Keep them at bay with ample outdoor lighting. Place lights around your front and back yards, along pathways, and near the garage and other outdoor structures. Not only will you make intruders skittish, you’ll also cut down your risk of a stumble on your way up the front steps.</p>
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<p class="has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size">Make your outdoor security lights even more effective with these tips:</p>
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<ul class="has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size"><li>Use motion-activated lights.</li><li>Save energy with solar-powered lights.</li><li>Use a smart outlet to put outdoor lights on a timer.</li><li>Set up schedules with smart light bulbs.</li></ul>
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<p class="has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size">5. Don’t forget the garage</p>
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<p class="has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size">This entry point to your home is becoming more popular with criminals. And even if they can’t access your house, chances are you have plenty of good stuff stored in the garage. Make it a habit to lock all doors to the garage—both interior and exterior.</p>
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<p class="has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size">You may also consider keeping your garage door opener in the house. That way, a burglar can’t grab it out of your car. And if you use a security code to open the garage, make sure you keep it secret and never enter it in front of delivery people, neighbors, or anyone else.</p>
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<p class="has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size">Here are some more easy ways to secure the garage.</p>
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<ul class="has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size"><li>Upgrade to a smart garage door opener.</li><li>Cover windows to hide the goodies inside.</li><li>Secure garage doors with extra locks.</li><li>Use home automation—and never leave the garage door open again.</li><li>Install a driveway alarm.</li></ul>
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<p class="has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size">6. Lock down your Wi-Fi network</p>
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<p class="has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size">Your home wireless network is a doorway to your personal and financial information. And if you use home automation, it can also make your house vulnerable to a break-in. If your Wi-Fi network is connected to smart home gadgets or your security system, it could give criminals direct access to your home.</p>
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<p class="has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size">But you don't have to leave yourself vulnerable. Use our tips and tricks to keep hackers off your home network.</p>
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<ul class="has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size"><li>Secure your wireless router.</li><li>Enable WPA (Wi-Fi Protected Access) or WPA2 encryption.</li><li>Rename and hide your home network.</li><li>Use a firewall.</li><li>Install antivirus and anti-malware protection.</li><li>Create strong passwords.</li><li>Using a virtual private network (VPN) is one of the best ways to secure your internet connection.</li></ul>
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<p class="has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size"><strong>Protect kids with parental-control software</strong></p>
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<p class="has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size">If you’ve got little ones, chances are they go online for both homework and fun. Keep them safe from online predators and cyber bullies with a parental control app, router, or software package. These tools can even help you limit screen time and enforce device-free family dinners.</p>
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<p class="has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size">7. Eliminate hiding places</p>
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<p class="has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size">Trees and shrubs may give your house curb appeal, but they also give burglars a handy place to hide. Trim down trees and plants close to your home that could be used for cover. Opt for smaller flowers and bushes instead. If you have trees near windows, either remove them or reinforce those windows with extra security.</p>
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<p class="has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size">And don’t neglect the rest of your home’s exterior. Use these best practices to keep things locked up tight.</p>
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<ul class="has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size"><li>Always put away stools and ladders.</li><li>Lock gates, sheds, and other outdoor buildings.</li><li>Don’t tempt thieves by leaving pricey goods on display in the yard.</li><li>Add security signs and stickers—even if you don't have a security system.</li></ul>
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<h2 class="has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size">8. Add security cameras</h2>
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<p class="has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size">You’ve probably seen headlines about burglars and porch pirates being foiled by security camera footage. This is one home security solution that works as both a deterrent and a means to get justice. You can get security cameras that are part of a complete home security system, or you can use cameras that work on their own.</p>
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<p class="has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size">Whichever way you go, we recommend using a security camera with a mobile app, so you can see footage in real time and store it if you ever need to go to the police. Take proactive measures to protect your cameras from hackers too. </p>
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<p class="has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size">Check out our other must-have features:</p>
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<ul class="has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size"><li>Motion detection</li><li>Night vision</li><li>Wi-Fi capability</li><li>Two-way talk</li><li>Local or cloud storage</li><li>Weatherproof casing for outdoor cameras</li></ul>
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<h2 class="has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size">9. Get a safe</h2>
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<p class="has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size">In the event that someone gets by your other home security strategies, make sure that valuables are protected. An in-home safe is a secure depository for everything from jewelry to vital documents like passports. You want a safe that is fire-resistant, waterproof, and heavy enough that a thief can’t walk away with it.</p>
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<p class="has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size">Follow these suggestions to get the most protection from your safe:</p>
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<ul class="has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size"><li>Look for safes with redundant locks (that’s two locks on one safe).</li><li>Select the right size safe for the valuables you want to protect.</li><li>Decide if you want a portable safe or one that’s anchored.</li></ul>
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<p class="has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size"><strong>Secure firearms in a gun safe</strong></p>
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<p class="has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size">Firearms are desirable items for a burglar. On average, around 230,000 guns are stolen during household burglaries every year. A gun safe keeps your weapons out of the hands of criminals and protects your family from the risk of a tragic accident.</p>
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<p class="has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size">10. Use home automation</p>
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<p class="has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size">If you’ve been tempted to turn your regular house into a smart home, security is one compelling reason to follow through. Home automation gives you remote (or scheduled) control of lights, door locks, security cameras, smoke alarms, and other safety devices. You can get real-time alerts about suspicious activity so you can respond quickly and thwart potential thieves.</p>
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<p class="has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size">Here are some of our favorite ways to use home automation to increase security:</p>
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<ul class="has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size"><li>Schedule lights (and your TV) to turn on and off when you’re on vacation.</li><li>Scare away porch pirates with two-way talk through a smart doorbell.</li><li>Get an instant video feed whenever someone walks up your driveway.</li><li>Check on a smoke or CO alarm and cancel false alarms from your smartphone.</li></ul>
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<p class="has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size">11. Prevent house fires</p>
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<p class="has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size">Do what you can to prevent a fire in your new home.</p>
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<ul class="has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size"><li>Inspect current fire alarms and CO detectors to make sure they're working.</li><li>Install new detectors where necessary.</li><li>Check the charge and expiration date on current fire extinguishers.</li><li>Buy new fire extinguishers if necessary.</li><li>Call a professional chimney inspector before using the fireplace. Here are some more fireplace safety tips.</li></ul>
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<p class="has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size">Don't forget to make a new fire exit plan based on your home's layout, complete with fire escape ladders for second-story bedrooms.</p>
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<h2 class="has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size">Final word</h2>
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<p class="has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size">Figuring out how to secure your home doesn’t have to be a chore. Use these tips to get started. And relax—you don’t have to do everything at once.</p>
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<p class="has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size">Identify which strategies are most important to you, and make a plan to add the rest later. Being aware of potential security risks and taking action early is the best way to keep your home and loved ones safe.</p>
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<p>To read the full article, <a href="https://www.safewise.com/blog/10-simple-ways-to-secure-your-new-home/">click here.</a></p>
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