Budget-Friendly Hacks for a Smarter, Safer Home

We’ve worked hard for our homes and everything inside of them, so they’re more than just four walls; they’re something to be proud of and a place we can raise a family or work on our dreams. That’s why it’s so important to keep our homes and the possessions within them as safe and secure as possible. Thieves are becoming ever more sophisticated and cunning, but the good news is that we can use technology in the fight against them. It can cost less than you think, so here are four ways to get a smarter, safer home without breaking the bank.

Install High Visibility Burglar Alarms

Burglar alarms may not be the newest technology when it comes to home security, with early mechanical alarm systems dating back to the start of the eighteenth century, but they can still be supremely effective. Burglars like an easy life, so if they have reason to believe that your home may be hard to break into, they will go in search of an easier target. For that reason, it makes sense to have burglar alarms that are as visible as possible, so select ones that are brightly colored and easily seen by people who pass by your property.

Doorbell Security Solutions

Doorbells are another piece of home equipment that has a long history, but in recent years they’ve been transformed by technology into one of the smartest home security solutions of them all. That’s why when people choose a door chime today, they increasingly buy a wireless one that will alert the owner of the property when somebody rings it, wherever they are in the house, but which can also detect when anyone enters a door or window and sends an alarm. Some systems include sophisticated motion sensors, while others also record visual images which the owner of the property can see. Expert suppliers such as 1800 Doorbell also provide doorbells complete with a strobing visual alarm, which is great for domestic, retail or commercial premises.

Ultraviolet Ink

If you are unlucky enough to have possessions stolen, retrieving it can be difficult, and that can bring emotional as well as financial loss. Using ultraviolet ink, however, can make it much easier to identify stolen property as yours, and it can be very cheap to use. Ultraviolet markers are now readily available, and you can simply use them to write your name and zip code onto vulnerable or valuable items. It won’t show up under normal light, but will reveal its hidden message under UV light. If police recover stolen items, this is one of the first things they’ll check, so it could be a quick way to getting your items back.

Be Social Media Aware

We all love social media, and studies show that nearly 170 million people in the United States used Facebook last year. It’s a great place to post photographs and updates about our lives, fun and serious, but it’s important to be aware of what you’re posting, and who could be watching. Posting information about when you’re going on holiday, for example, or when you’re going to be out of the house for the day could be a green light to any potential burglars who may be monitoring your property. Check your security settings so that posts such as these are only visible to your friends, or don’t post them at all until you’re safely back home.

Being more aware of your Facebook posts is free, and installing burglar alarms and wireless door chimes, as well as using ultraviolet markers, can all be inexpensive additions to your home security. They could, however, save you lots of money by deterring burglars, and they can also give you that priceless commodity: peace of mind.