Your residence is your castle, but you are not the only one who wants in. Burglars are always looking for easy targets, and if you are not careful your property could be the next victim. Keeping your residence safe does not have to be complicated or expensive. In fact, some of the most effective home security tactics are also the simplest and least expensive.

The good news is that burglars and other criminals tend to be lazy, gravitating to the easiest targets and steering clear of homes that appear to be well guarded. If you want to make your castle a less tantalizing target for marauders, you do not have to spend a fortune to do it. Here are some residential security tips that will make your home, and your family safer and more secure.

Start by Conducting a Residential Security Audit

If you want to know where you stand, start with a home security audit, a simple assessment that will point out the weak spots in your defenses. The results of the initial home security audit will give you a list of action items that should be addressed, all while serving as a baseline for further evaluations down the line.

Many local police departments offer these kinds of home security audits, as do private companies and some non-profit organizations. You may even be able to schedule such an audit through the company that underwrites your homeowners insurance. You may even be in line for an attractive discount if the results of that audit are positive, or if you make the recommended security upgrades.

Deny Burglars the Hiding Spots They Crave

Burglars are always looking for hiding places, and they will take advantage of them wherever they exist. You may not know it, but the landscaping elements you love so much may actually be providing would-be criminals with the hiding spots they need.

There are a number of ways to deny burglars those hiding spots, from trimming tall and overgrown bushes to adding accent lighting that reveals those hidden shadows. If you want to know where to start, just take a look at your outdoor landscape through the eyes of a burglar, then get out your trimmers, your in-ground lighting kits, or a combination of the two.

Install a Residential Security System

One of the best and most effective ways to reduce your chances of being victimized is to install a residential security system. The mere presence of a sign indicating the home is protected can be enough to deter a would-be burglar, and having a fully armed system in place will only strengthen that deterrent factor.

Whether you choose a traditional wired system or one of the new wireless options, home security is an excellent deterrent to burglaries and all kinds of property crime. The falling prices of home monitoring and home security have made this protective step more accessible than ever before, so there is no reason not to do it.

Upgrade Your Exterior Lighting

No burglar wants to find themselves in the spotlight, and upgrading exterior lighting is a great way to keep them at bay. The possibilities for upgraded exterior lighting are nearly endless, from wireless solar arrays that come on at dusk and stay on until the sun comes up to wired spotlights that are bright enough to chase away even the most persistent would-be thief.

If you do choose to go solar, make sure the collection panels are sufficiently large to soak up all the daytime sunlight. You do not want your solar lights to stop working in the wee hours of the morning, giving burglars the time they need to enter your temporarily unlit home.

Enhance Your Security with Motion Sensors

Installing motion sensors in addition to the newly bright lighting around your home can ramp up the security even further. You can combine the security of the upgraded lighting with motion sensor technology by installing units that sense movement and shine a spotlight on its source.

You can also install standalone motion sensors, complete with audible alarms and other deterrents. No matter which option you choose, this type of technology can be an excellent crime deterrent, and an inexpensive one.

Upgrade Your Window and Door Locks

Home security begins with a solid lock, so consider upgrading the ones on your doors and windows. Conduct a security check before you turn in for the night – checking the locks on the doors and windows one final time and making sure the alarm system is set is a smart practice and a great way to improve your residential security.

Even if you have a home security system in place, it is still important to have solid locks on all your windows, doors, and other entry points. No entry point is too small or too remote to ignore, so check out your home and start installing those upgraded locks.

Whether your residence is a literal castle, a humble cabin, or somewhere in between, the security of your family cannot wait. If you want to keep the bad guys (and girls) at bay, you need to take a proactive approach to residential security, and the tips listed above can help you get started.

JC Protection LLC is ready to assist with our Residential Security services. Please contact us today.