This post was sponsored by the Builders Hardware Manufacturers Association as part of an Influencer Activation for Influence Central and all opinions expressed in my post are my own.
The process of becoming a new homeowner is stressful yet exciting.
Once in your new place, you want to make it feel like home as soon as possible. However, before you start making upgrades and picking out paint colors, it’s important to make sure that your new home is secure.
These tips will help you make sure that you feel secure in your new home.
Install BHMA Certified Secure Home label locks
Your doors are the gateway to your home.
Therefore, when moving into a new home, changing your locks should be one of the first things that you do.
Don’t just settle for any locks though.
I recommend only purchasing exterior locks that have the BHMA Certified Secure Home™ label.
This means that the locks have been rigorously tested in security (how well it withstands impact), durability (how long it lasts when used repeatedly), and finish (how it withstands environmental elements). It’ll have a C (good), B (better), or A (best) rating in each category so you can purchase a lock based on your needs.
Other locks can make these claims, but without the BHMA Certified Secure Home label, you cannot be too sure what to expect. You can visit securehome.org to learn more.
I decided to go with one of the smart BHMA Certified Secure Home label locks for my new home.
You’d be surprised at the selection of locks available that have this label, and you can have peace of mind knowing that your doors are secure.
I recommend smart locks for parents with younger kids at home because they come with the auto-lock feature, which gives you peace of mind knowing that your doors are locked. Plus, since they can be opened with a code or your phone, you eliminate the need to leave a spare key lying around somewhere.
Make sure you have quality windows
If you’ve purchased a home that has older windows, you’ll want to make sure that they are one of the first home upgrades that you make.
Older windows typically mean the latches don’t work properly or panels could be missing.
Add in security cameras or an alarm system
When it comes to security cameras and alarm systems you don’t have to spend a bunch of cash either. Affordable options make it so you always be in the loop of what’s going on inside and outside of your home when you’re not there.
Outside I recommend a doorbell cam so you can communicate with anyone who approaches your front door remotely and also a floodlight cam for the backyard. Indoors having a few cameras downstairs at entry points can also provide you with an extra sense of security.
If you have a garage, you may want to consider installing a camera in there as well.
Add a security sticker (even if you don’t have an alarm)
If you don’t want to commit to researching different security options at this time, even just adding a security sticker or yard sign can make your home more secure.
However, make sure that you go with a realistic-looking sign as fakes can be easily spotted.
Bonus Tip: You may also want to consider adding a ‘Beware of Dog’ sign to your fence.
Get a safe
Keep your valuables safe by investing in a safe.
In my opinion, a safe is always a great investment for everyone because if your house ever catches fire or floods you can make sure that important documents and valuables aren’t destroyed.
Add in some home automation features
If your home is often empty for scheduled periods of time each day adding in some home automation features can be helpful.
This way you can remotely control your lights, television, etc. at different times each day to make it appear that your home is occupied throughout the day.
However, I don’t recommend setting automatic timers that have the lights, etc. cut on at the same time each day.
Make sure that your new home is secure when you move in
Decorating your new home and making it feel more like home is always fun.
However, before you start on the fun homeownership tasks it’s important to make sure that your new home is as secure as possible (ideally before you move in).
These tips will help you do just that and then you’ll be able to get started with all of the fun stuff.
I am so agree that the security of our homes are the most important and we need to invest in them, before other paintings!
These are great tips and I’m taking note of the security alarm as a must.
These are great tips. I’ve been thinking about getting a home security camera. We’ll see.
these are really great ideas. Having security cameras and alarm is extremely important for me
Thanks for sharing these information for make home secure. I would love check it out lock.
Ｈｏｍｅ security is something I really give importance to. These are really great tips!
This is a really helpful guide. Alarms are always good to have at home.
I’m really particular when it comes to home security because we don’t know when something or someone bad will strike. It’s best to be always ready and protected.
These are such wonderful ideas. I think security is such an important topic when it comes to the home. My husband and I are buying security cameras soon too.
As a military spouse, I am always looking for ways to make my home and look more secure. Thank you, I am terrified of feeling unsafe.
Yeah I couldn’t agree more. I’ll keep this in mind in case I have to move to another place. Thanks.
I really enjoyed reading your post, your tips are really helpful.
These are some great tips – I have to admit I always forget to do things like change locks after all you don’t know who might have a key!
Changing the locks was the first thing we did when we moved in to our new home. A few weeks later we installed a security camera system. Home automation is in our list as well.
You have some great ideas here. I do a lot of these. I always worry about someone breaking in.