Home security is a conversation everyone should have. Whether you’ve recently moved into a new space or you’ve lived there for years, it pays to think about your safety. Is your home as safe and secure as you think it is? Most likely, there are steps you can take to improve your own home security that you haven’t considered. Here are 5 tips to make sure your home is safe.

1. Get an Alarm System

One of the first and most vital steps to protecting your home is by investing in an alarm system. If you’re not sure where to begin your search, you can purchase from Alarm Grid today. Having an alarm system on its own is likely enough to deter would-be criminals. In addition, you’ll have the peace of mind of knowing the authorities will be alerted if something does happen.

An alarm system helps to keep your home safe even when you can’t be there. Unfortunately, most home break-ins happen when the owner is at work or school. This means there’s no one who can have eyes on your property. Your alarm system does this for you so you can live confidently knowing your home is protected.

2. Beware of Home Intruder Scams

There are a lot of ways home intruders gain entry into your home. Believe it or not, they often come right through the front door—sometimes with your own consent. Oftentimes criminals will pose themselves as utility workers offering to do work for free or for the city on your property. These criminals will keep the homeowner busy while an accomplice steals valuables.

When in doubt, never let a stranger into your home if you haven’t personally contracted them through a reputable business. If someone is a “service” utility worker, don’t be afraid to second-guess these credentials and call the city utility service yourself to confirm.

3. Lock Your Windows and Doors

While it might sound like common sense, it’s easy to accidentally leave a door or window unlocked. Remember, you should lock all entry points even when you’re at home. The same goes for garage doors. Criminals are always on the lookout for easy points of entry. Easy access invites criminals by showing you don’t take your security seriously.

4. Keep Your Home Clean

While you don’t have to clean the inside of your home, make sure the outside of your home is well-kept. A well-kept home is one that takes security seriously, and it eliminates a lot of common criminal hiding spots. When your yard looks used and lived in, criminals don’t think it makes an easy target and they’ll move on.

5. Watch What You Throw Away

Finally, always be careful with what you throw away. Your trash might actually make you a target for burglars. Throwing out that box for your new TV might seem harmless, but it’s like putting a flag outside your home letting criminals know your home has something worth taking.

Always throw away boxes and valuables discreetly. If you bought anything expensive, destroy the box before you trash it so it’s inconspicuous. Never advertise your major purchases.

Whether you live in a small Columbus apartment or a suburban home, you need to be sure that your place of living is protected. These 5 tips above guarantee to make your home a safer place. You might not even realize ways in which your home is a target for criminals. It’s time to be smarter with your own security.