For many people, their home is the largest investment they will ever make. Given that you will probably be living there for a while, it is important that you ensure its safety. This helps to protect your investment as well as ensure that your loved ones are safe and sound.

Let’s face it though, there’s no foolproof plan that will help keep burglars and accidents at bay. However, there are a couple of things that you can do to make your home a safer place. Keep in mind that making your home safer does not necessarily mean being able to keep intruders away. It also entails identifying safety hazards in the home and ensuring that you are all well-protected.

Here are some of the things you can do to ensure that your home is safer this year.

Home maintenance

When it comes to burglars, a little home maintenance can ensure that you do not make it easy for them. Many homeowners hardly take a look around their property. With time, the doors and windows may become an easy ticket for intruders into your house. Clear unnecessary bushes around the house that could serve as a hiding spot for them. Thick bushes also provide shelter for snakes and other dangerous animals depending on what region you live in. Replacing and installing the locks on back doors and any other access doors also goes a long way in making your home safer.

Install a home security system

With time, we become used to simple security measures such as locking our doors and windows. However, a determined intruder will simply pick the lock on a door or smash a window to get into your home. An alarm system, in this case, would be a great addition to your home. Thanks to technology, you can now have a smart home security system installed. The system allows you to control who gets access to your home even when you are away through an app on your smartphone. The app will also notify you if anyone tries to break into your home and with some security alarms, you can get to see the person as well.

Install some smoke detectors

Fire is a big threat to your home that could leave you with hardly any possessions. Having smoke detectors installed on every floor of your home can turn out to be life-saving should anything happen. Because the detectors’ batteries may fail, you can also consider having them hardwired into the electrical system. In addition, have some fire ducts installed in the kitchen to help remove the smoke and smell whenever you are cooking in there. This will help not to trigger the smoke detectors unnecessarily. It is important to also have carbon monoxide detectors in case there is a leak from the HVAC system.

Get to know your neighbors

Perhaps you are always busy and leave your home early in the morning only to come back late. This is understandable. However, you need to make a point of getting to know our neighbors. Neighbors, especially those who spend their days at home, may turn out to be the best security for you when you are away. Being friendly with the people who live around you gives them a sense of social responsibility for your home. They will be on the lookout for any strange people in and around your home and may even confront them or call the police before they are able to get into your home. 

Install motion sensitive lighting

Curb appeal will also determine whether or not intruders will make your home a target. Homes that tend to have exterior lighting, as well as doors and windows that face the street, are less likely to have a break-in. Have some motion sensitive lighting installed all around the perimeter of your home. Also, ensure that there are no hiding spots for burglars within your property.

Check the dryer vent

According to some research, many laundry rooms are the cause of water and fire damage in homes. This usually happens when the dryer vent is clogged, blocking the air from getting out. Regularly check the dryer vent and ensure that it is clean to avoid any incidents.

HVAC maintenance

Your home’s HVAC could also be another disaster waiting to happen. When it comes to HVAC maintenance, there are quite a number of things that you need to do to ensure your home’s safety. Regularly clean and check the system to ensure that it is working well. Have a professional maintenance check at least once a year to determine what parts need replacement or repair before they break down and cause some damage to your home. If you have family members with allergies, asthma or any other breathing complications, be sure to include an air quality monitor in your home’s HVAC system as well.

Making your home a safer place should be one of your priorities this year. While you cannot eliminate the threat of break-ins, fires or any other threat to your home, it is possible to reduce and manage these threats. With the simple tips above, you should be able to make your home safer in 2019 and keep all your loved ones and your property safe from burglars and other threats.