The Comprehensive Home Safety Checklist
By Home Safety Store|March 22, 2022
Statistics indicate that around 400,000 homes get robbed every year in Australia. This calculates to around 4.3% of all Aussie households, giving Australia the seventh-highest burglary rate in the world.
However, by taking steps to safeguard your home, you can reduce the likelihood of falling victim to a property crime. And robberies aren’t the only danger to consider—it is crucial to safeguard your family from house fires as well.
This post provides a quick checklist of the top ten things to ensure you have in place to secure your home.
1. Alarm System
A functional alarm system is a must-have to secure any home, causing an intruders to likely flee once triggered. Alarm systems let out an ear-piercing sound upon detecting an intruder, either through motion or a trigger connected to your doors and windows.
The wireless alarm system works best, which you can incorporate into an extensive home security setup.
2. Smoke Alarm
Having a smoke alarms in Australia is compulsory by law. So make sure you’ve got one for your own safety and to comply with Australian law.
But it is not enough to just have a smoke alarm—you need to be sure it actually works. Test your alarm frequently (once per month is ideal) and take note of when its functional lifespan is due to expire.
3. Security Camera
Security cameras are a super effective burglary deterrent. Virtually all would-be robbers will simply pick a softer target upon spotting one in your yard. The modern Wi-Fi security camera is easy to install and affordable enough for the average homeowner.
Position it in a conspicuous location and attach the associated warning stickers around your home.
4. Well Lit Exterior
Experiened and effective burglars tend to work under the cover of darkness. This reduces their risk of being seen and caught. One simple trick to deter midnight intruders is to purchase a powerful motion-sensor light.
Once installed, it won’t cost much to run as it only uses electricity when there is movement outside.
5. Trimmed Hedges
Plants and especially thick bushes and hedges can provide great areas of cover and hiding for an intruder. Keeping up to date with your landscaping will eliminate potential hidey-holes and discourage thieves from loitering on your lawn.
Be especially vigilant with overgrown shrubbery near your doors and windows.
6. A Close Relationship With Your Neighbours
One of the most underestimated security mechanisms to keep your home safe can simply be a close relationship with your neighbours. While you’re away—whether at work or on holidays—the people next door can keep a keen eye out for strangers, notifying you or the police if they spot someone suspicious.
Best of all: it’s free, although you will be expected to return the favour.
7. Valuables Not Visible From the Outside
It is common for robbers to window shop before committing their crime, checking out your home from the outside before determing if it’s worth breaking in. If you leave valuables in sight—laptops, cash, and jewellery are common favourites—then a fence-sitting burglar might decide it is worth the risk.
Keep your valuables hidden from view, preferably in a key-code safe. For large items, such as an oversized flat-screen TV, it is easier just to shut the curtains instead.
8. Secure Doors and Windows
It is not surprising that most break-ins occur through windows and doors. It is therefore worth investing in extra measures to keep these popular entry points secure.
Custom-built burglar-proof doors are your best deterrent, as these reinforced steel screens are sturdy enough to stop a robber ramming through. The top models feature heavy-duty locks for added protection.
If you’re worried about your windows, consider installing security film. A technician can put a thin but firm layer of transparent reinforced film over existing windows, making them nigh-on impossible to shatter.
9. Monitored Door Without Having To Answer It
A number of daring intruders may barge or run through your door upon it being open. It is therefore crucial you find a way to identify the person outside. While a stock-standard peephole works in a pinch, it is safer to buy a video intercom system.
These high-tech devices let you monitor and answer the door remotely from anywhere in the world, and most include a two-way audio function.
10. Carbon Monoxide Detector?
An unbeknownst and underrated threate to any home, carbon monoxide (CO) proliferates through poorly maintained cooking or heating appliances. It is known as the silent killer because this odourless and colourless gas is both undetectable and fatal.
As the human senses can’t perceive it, the best solution is to install a CO detector.
Get in Touch With Us Today
Looking for the best home security system in Australia or any of the security devices outlined in this article? At Home Safety Store, we have got an extensive catalogue of high-tech solutions to suit every need. Our expert customer service team will gladly guide you through the details to pinpoint the perfect product for you.
However, by taking steps to safeguard your home, you can reduce the likelihood of falling victim to a property crime. And robberies aren’t the only danger to consider—it is crucial to safeguard your family from house fires as well.
This post provides a quick checklist of the top ten things to ensure you have in place to secure your home.
1. Alarm System
A functional alarm system is a must-have to secure any home, causing an intruders to likely flee once triggered. Alarm systems let out an ear-piercing sound upon detecting an intruder, either through motion or a trigger connected to your doors and windows.
The wireless alarm system works best, which you can incorporate into an extensive home security setup.
2. Smoke Alarm
Having a smoke alarms in Australia is compulsory by law. So make sure you’ve got one for your own safety and to comply with Australian law.
But it is not enough to just have a smoke alarm—you need to be sure it actually works. Test your alarm frequently (once per month is ideal) and take note of when its functional lifespan is due to expire.
3. Security Camera
Security cameras are a super effective burglary deterrent. Virtually all would-be robbers will simply pick a softer target upon spotting one in your yard. The modern Wi-Fi security camera is easy to install and affordable enough for the average homeowner.
Position it in a conspicuous location and attach the associated warning stickers around your home.
4. Well Lit Exterior
Experiened and effective burglars tend to work under the cover of darkness. This reduces their risk of being seen and caught. One simple trick to deter midnight intruders is to purchase a powerful motion-sensor light.
Once installed, it won’t cost much to run as it only uses electricity when there is movement outside.
5. Trimmed Hedges
Plants and especially thick bushes and hedges can provide great areas of cover and hiding for an intruder. Keeping up to date with your landscaping will eliminate potential hidey-holes and discourage thieves from loitering on your lawn.
Be especially vigilant with overgrown shrubbery near your doors and windows.
6. A Close Relationship With Your Neighbours
One of the most underestimated security mechanisms to keep your home safe can simply be a close relationship with your neighbours. While you’re away—whether at work or on holidays—the people next door can keep a keen eye out for strangers, notifying you or the police if they spot someone suspicious.
Best of all: it’s free, although you will be expected to return the favour.
7. Valuables Not Visible From the Outside
It is common for robbers to window shop before committing their crime, checking out your home from the outside before determing if it’s worth breaking in. If you leave valuables in sight—laptops, cash, and jewellery are common favourites—then a fence-sitting burglar might decide it is worth the risk.
Keep your valuables hidden from view, preferably in a key-code safe. For large items, such as an oversized flat-screen TV, it is easier just to shut the curtains instead.
8. Secure Doors and Windows
It is not surprising that most break-ins occur through windows and doors. It is therefore worth investing in extra measures to keep these popular entry points secure.
Custom-built burglar-proof doors are your best deterrent, as these reinforced steel screens are sturdy enough to stop a robber ramming through. The top models feature heavy-duty locks for added protection.
If you’re worried about your windows, consider installing security film. A technician can put a thin but firm layer of transparent reinforced film over existing windows, making them nigh-on impossible to shatter.
9. Monitored Door Without Having To Answer It
A number of daring intruders may barge or run through your door upon it being open. It is therefore crucial you find a way to identify the person outside. While a stock-standard peephole works in a pinch, it is safer to buy a video intercom system.
These high-tech devices let you monitor and answer the door remotely from anywhere in the world, and most include a two-way audio function.
10. Carbon Monoxide Detector?
An unbeknownst and underrated threate to any home, carbon monoxide (CO) proliferates through poorly maintained cooking or heating appliances. It is known as the silent killer because this odourless and colourless gas is both undetectable and fatal.
As the human senses can’t perceive it, the best solution is to install a CO detector.
Get in Touch With Us Today
Looking for the best home security system in Australia or any of the security devices outlined in this article? At Home Safety Store, we have got an extensive catalogue of high-tech solutions to suit every need. Our expert customer service team will gladly guide you through the details to pinpoint the perfect product for you.
