Moving to a new home can be exciting, but in order to make your new home feel safe, there are a few precautionary steps you should take when you move. The following ideas can help you prevent break-ins and secure your property.
Lock Rekeying
Your first step before moving into your new home should be to have all of the locks rekeyed. The previous owner or occupant of the home could have passed out several copies of keys to your home, which means there may be potential wrongdoers out there with full and unfettered access to your house. Having all of the door locks and deadbolts rekeyed will prevent anyone with a spare set of keys from simply opening your door and walking into your home.
Reposition Security Cameras
While you don't want to get rid of security cameras completely, slightly repositioning the existing camera system ensures that no one knows the exact angle and location of your camera system. By changing the angle and location slightly, you still cover some of the same key areas of your home, but potential thieves familiar with your home's camera setup won't know how to stay out of each camera's view.
Install Motion Lights
If your home does not already have a set of motion lights, be sure to add them to your home's exterior. These lights illuminate your garage, driveway and doors when they detect movement, which can deter potential thieves from targeting your home. If you have a garage that faces an alley, be sure to put lights on the car door side as well as the side that faces your yard for added security.
Replace Window Locks
Your window locks may not seem like the biggest priority, but they can represent a weak spot in your home's security setup. Traditional locks may not offer the security you need, but you can add locks that require a key to open for added peace of mind. Talk to your locksmith about different options for securing your windows. Any windows on the basement or first floor should have new locks installed to prevent thieves from entering your home. Windows on the upper floors should have locks positioned out of your children's reach to prevent accidents from happening.
As you prepare to move into your new home, take a few hours to really inspect all of the home's entry points, its security system and its camera setup. Make a list of all the areas you think may need to be reinforced, and talk to your locksmith, like one from Carlsbad Village Lock & Key, about different options for beefing up your home security system.
