5 Home Security Tips for New Homeowners

By Aimee Adams

As a new homeowner, home security is essential. Many areas in Kansas City have low-crime rates, but regardless of where your home is located, crime can happen. Fortunately, you can take appropriate steps to deter burglars from targeting your home.

Here are five ways to help protect your house, belongings and most importantly, your family.

1. Change the Locks

Before moving into your new home, change all the locks. You never know who has a key. The prior owner might’ve given one to a friend or relative and forgot all about it. That person could have handed the key to someone else who doesn’t have the best intentions. So, invest in good door locks immediately after taking possession of your new home.

2. Check All Entryways

Even with new locks on all the doors, you still want to make sure there aren’t any weak areas that would make it easy for an intruder to get inside. If you purchase an older house, check that all the window locks are in proper working condition. Also of importance are any windows low to the ground. Remember, entryways include the garage doors and the door leading from the garage into the house.

3. Install a Home Security System

One of the best things you can do to beef up protection is to install a home security system in your home. You have three primary options:

• Hire a security company to assess your house and install a professional system that you either lease or buy. In most cases, the company you select can customize the home security for your property based on your wants and needs. Included with this is 24/7 monitoring, which adds yet another layer of protection.

• Get a home security system for your residence from a professional company but install it yourself. With various options, you shouldn’t have any problem finding a system that provides what you want at an affordable price. Of course, you can also get a DIY security system online or by visiting a local home improvement store. These come in both wired and wireless installations.

• Install the system yourself but use the monitoring services of a home security company. In this case, you wouldn’t spend much to have an extra set of eyes watching out for you, your home and your family.

4. Get to Know Your Neighbors

When the time is right, introduce yourself to your new neighbors if they haven’t already introduced themselves to you. Developing relationships with your neighbors can mean knowing someone has your back if there is an emergency. You don’t have to become best friends with individuals who live next door, but it certainly helps to know who they are and vice versa. At a minimum, you could exchange phone numbers and if you have a Ring system, add them to your list of people with the same device who live nearby. As you get to know your neighbors better, you might discuss starting a neighborhood watch program.

5. Enhance Outdoor Lighting

If your new house doesn’t have adequate outdoor lighting, install something with motion sensors. With many different designs available, new light fixtures would not only increase the safety of your home, but also add to its curb appeal. In particular, make sure the lights illuminate dark areas for when you come home but also locations where a criminal might try to hide or gain access to your house.