7 Ways to Make Your Home More Secure

Most homeowners want to protect their home and property against intruders. This is especially true in the summer. Unfortunately even the most high-end security system won’t make a home 100 percent secure. Fortunately, there are several small things you can do to deter a would-be thief from gaining access to your home. From locking everything to getting replacement windows and doors in Portland, OR—here are just a few ideas you can implement to make your home more secure:  

1. Organize a Burglary

Ask a trusted neighbor to walk through your home and take as many small valuables as they can in three minutes. The imitation burglar shows you how easy it is to find valuables so you can hide them from real burglars. This might mean stashing things in unorthodox places or buying a small safe to bolt to the floor.    

2. LockUp the Ladder

Do you store a ladder outside or in the garage? An intruder can pose as a contractor or repairman and use your own ladder to gain access to your home from the second floor or a balcony.   

3. Add Foreboding Signs

Even if you don’t have a security system you can post signs or window stickers from a security company. You might have some on hand from a previous contract, or get some from a friend. Another option is to post “Beware of Dog” signs on the front gate or near the front of the home.   

4. Place Keys in a Smart Spot

You probably have a drop-zone for keys and garage door openers when you first walk in the door. While convenient, this can be risky if an intruder gains access to your home. Even if those are the only things they grab, they can make off with your car with little effort.   

5. Give a Key to a Trusted Neighbor

Speaking of keys, don’t hide a spare key outside. Under mats, under rocks, in potted plants—good burglars know the hiding places. Instead, give your spare key to a trusted neighbor.   

6. Lock Every Door and Window

A third of burglaries are considered “unlawful entry” instead of “forced entry,” because all the intruder had to do was open an unlocked window or door. So sit down with family members and put together a security plan. Make a habit of locking all the windows and doors when you leave and before bedtime. It is a routine that costs nothing extra, takes very little energy, and reduces the likelihood of someone getting in.   

7. Replace Windows and Doors

Assess your windows and doors. Are the locks operable? Are the materials sound? If your old windows are doors are not up to the task, it might be time for an upgrade. Replacement windows can offer stronger window locks and thicker, laminated glass that is more difficult to break. And modern doors come with more secure locks, frames, and materials too.   

Your security is important and you need quality products. For more information about replacement windows and doors in Portland, OR contact EnergyGaurd Windows and Doors. Call us at (503) 554-5500 or stop by 516 E. 2nd St., Newberg, OR 97132 to talk with one of our professionals today.