5 Home Security Essentials for Peace of Mind

 

Consider these security features for added safety in your new home.

Your home is your sanctuary, and having the peace of mind that comes with added safety features is an absolute must in order to feel comfortable and secure in your space. 

“Safety is on a buyer's mind and crime can happen anywhere,” says Joe Maxwell, a designated broker with Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Pacific Commons. “People want more secure homes.”

Luckily, smart home features and new technologies make it easier than ever to protect

your home and your valuables. This article will take a look at a few key categories of safety features you might want to consider for your added sense of security. 

1. Security Cameras and Video Doorbells

Security cameras and video doorbells are all the rage these days, and Maxwell said they are increasingly popular among homeowners. 

Security cameras record activity around your home and send you notifications when motion is detected or people are present. Video doorbells go one step further and allow you to communicate with anyone who comes calling, without answering the door. 

“You can see who's at your door and even talk to people,” Maxwell says. “They won’t know if you’re in the house or somewhere else when you use the device for two-way communication.” 

But security cameras don’t just need to be used for security. They’re also an easy way to keep an eye out for packages, see when family members come and go from your home, and even show you the daily activities of your pets or wildlife.

2. Motion Sensors

Motion sensors are a key feature of security cameras, but they can also work as standalone devices. Motion sensors can be installed in your yard and on doors and windows, telling you when your home is left open or unlocked, and letting you know if someone has entered. “Some people even put glass-shatter sensors in their house, which will trigger an alarm if a window is broken,” You can also attach motion sensors to lighting around your home, acting as a deterrent for bad actors while also providing light for Fido’s late-night potty break. 

Motion sensor lights can be both an added security feature and a convenient feature in the evening hours. "It gives homeowners a sense of security and comfort.

3. Smart Plugs

Smart plugs are an easy way to keep your lights on, power certain home devices at specific times throughout the day, or power other security features. “They’re easy to install and very inexpensive,” says Lundt.

They’re also great for countertop kitchen appliances, heat styling tools for your hair, and portable heaters. Having these devices hooked up to a smart plug means you can control when they are turned on or off, and you can even do it remotely through an app on your smartphone. 

Having the ability to turn these devices on and off with the touch of a button can provide peace of mind and protect against potential fire hazards. 

4. Keypad Locks

Instead of worrying about losing a physical key, many homeowners are turning to keypad entries for their homes. “It’s becoming very popular now to install these combination or thumbprint front door keypads.

These keypads allow a homeowner to punch in a combination to open the door. The number can be changed at any time, and you can often buy models that allow for each person in a household to have their own combination number. 

These are especially useful if you have a house cleaner or pet sitter who needs to have access to your home because they don’t require that you hand your key out to everyone. 

"You can put in multiple entry numbers, so if you're going to do an Airbnb you have one code with your Airbnb and track that code, but you also have a code for your repairman or maid service and be able to manage those separately.

5. Leak Detection

You might not think of water as posing a major threat to your peace of mind, but after experiencing a major leak or flood, you know that this danger should be top of mind for every homeowner. 

Luckily, there are new technologies aimed at detecting leaks in your home’s HVAC systems, kitchens, and bathrooms.  

These smart sensors can be placed in strategic locations where a leak might occur—near water heaters, washing machines, sinks, toilets, and in basements—and will send you real-time alerts if water or moisture is detected where it shouldn’t be, giving you plenty of time to address the issue before major damage occurs. 

-BHG