6 New Year Resolutions to Bolster Your Home’s Security

December 21, 2023 by Anas Mustafa

Former First Lady of the United States, Rosalynn Carter, once said, “There is nothing more secure than a good, safe home”–that could not be more true today. Speaking of safety, the New Year is a great time to upgrade, install, and invest in a new system to help give you that protection. Many resolutions are easily made and broken, but your home security is one to keep and can be easy to carry out.

However, it's not just about upgrades and new technology. There are things you can do that complement your home security and provide crucial assistance in an emergency. In this guide, we will be sharing some tips and tricks that will keep your home safe and sound.

1. Emergency Plans

Your home security system works hard to offer protection 24/7. Yet, what happens if there is a fire in the middle of the night when everyone is sleeping?

The sensors will alert the alarm, waking you up and alerting the emergency response team. Help is on the way. But can you get out safely? Do you know the quickest route to escape the burning building? If the fire is small enough, can you tackle it?

Knowing what to do in an emergency and getting everyone in the home outside to safety is critical. Planning out escape routes and ensuring everyone knows them or knowing the location of fire extinguishers will help keep your family safe.

Where does your family go to take shelter in case of a natural disaster, such as a hurricane? The alarm system can still alert the authorities, and someone is calling to check on you, but where do you go?

While these plans don’t have to be displayed in the home as they are in an office setting, everyone needs to know what to do should the need arise.

Some key things to consider when making the plan are:

Don’t go back for personal belongings
Keep doors closed
Get out as quickly as possible
Keep low to the ground to reduce smoke inhalation

2. Keep Go Bags and Emergency Kits

In an emergency evacuation, returning and grabbing personal items is tempting. These things hold sentimental value or are essential in one's daily life.

However, doing that can be extremely dangerous and life-threatening and is therefore inadvisable.

One solution is to keep a go bag close to you in either a bedroom closet or the coat cupboard by the front door. This bag would contain essential items such as a couple of days' worth of clothes, basic toiletries, a phone charger, a list of significant phone numbers, and copies of essential documents.

An emergency kit is recommended if you live in an area with a high risk of flooding or hurricanes. It should include food rations, bottled water, batteries, flashlights, candles with matches, and blankets.

Depending on your situation, having both available will make an emergency easier to deal with when you are overwhelmed by sirens, flashing lights, and whatever caused you to leave your home.

3. Sensitive Sensors

Many home alarm systems include sensors and detectors for fire, smoke, and flooding. You can install additional sensors on windows and doors to alert you if they are opened or left open. While sturdy and hard-working, these sensors require occasional maintenance to function as designed.

Wiping them down with a soft cloth and checking for damage to the casing or connector surfaces helps keep them in good working order. This procedure is easy to incorporate into your cleaning routine and requires no special equipment.

For the sensors located higher up, like fire and smoke, replacing the batteries and performing a test will help ensure they won't fail when needed.

4. Lights, Cameras, Action

When you come home from work, glance up at your outdoor lights. Did they come on? Are they bright or damaged in any way?

Check your cameras. Are they still aimed the way you initially set them up, or have they shifted position? If they run on external battery power, ensure they are in good condition and fully charged.

Lights and cameras offer additional eyes around your property and should be maintained. Environmental factors affect their efficacy, so review them, particularly after bad weather.

Once you have checked them outside, review your security footage to ensure the recordings are clear and unobstructed.

5. Keep Your Alarm Codes Up To Date

One option that modern systems come with now is that of personalized alarm codes. These allow you to see who comes and goes from the home when you are not there.

If there have been any changes to the dynamic in the home, then removing codes that are no longer being used or are no longer authorized helps to keep everything and everyone safe.

The introduction of smart locks will also help to increase security, and again, the ability to assign codes to individuals allows you to track who comes and goes.

Carrying out regular updates on the system overall helps to defend against cyber attacks and strengthens the system.

6. It Pays To Upgrade

There have been a lot of revolutionary advances in home security features. Upgrading elements or the system as a whole will not only boost the protection provided but can also help reduce utility costs and your environmental impact.

Start The New Year Off Right

Your home alarm system, combined with a bit of extra TLC, will provide longer protection and give you peace of mind, knowing that in an emergency, you can let the alarm system do its job while you can get your family to safety.

When it comes to ensuring your system is right for you, reach out to Canadian Security Professionals who are trusted by thousands of Canadians and have been serving and protecting for many years.

Call 1-877-494-9911 and speak to our professional team, or to request a quote, contact us here and let’s get you starting the new year off right.

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