You’ve poured your heart, soul and a little money into customizing a house into your dream home. You’ve redone your kitchen tile, upgraded your carpets, added luscious backyard landscaping and your curb appeal is on point. It’s a pretty impressive home. So impressive that you may be afraid it will attract attention from the bad guys. There is no time like now to get up to date on home protection – the holidays are here with hopefully some awesome presents all wrapped up, and you may be headed out of town to celebrate. Let us provide a few pointers and tools to help protect your priceless possessions and your dream home.

1. Self-monitored security cameras

Security cameras can be a great deterrent to criminals and this is something you can now do on your own! Most self-monitoring security systems are a fairly cost-effective way to monitor your home and you typically don’t need a monthly contract with a security company. These systems allow you to set up multiple wireless cameras, both inside and outside of your house. Getting real-time updates or checking-in any time, any place through a mobile app should give you some peace of mind. With so many new options, make sure to do your research, price check and determine which self-monitored system may be best for you.

2. Front door monitoring

Piggybacking off #1, front door monitoring with another self-setup. These products can be combined with or without the security camera system. They offer real-time alerts when someone approaches your home whether that’s a potential threat, or a delivery person dropping off holiday packages. This smart home security product will notify you right away, and then you can decide if you want to speak with the person on the other side of the door. Notifications, live camera feed, speaker capabilities, self-install…we are a fan of these!

3. Motion sensor floodlights

This is an oldie, but a goodie. Installing a spotlight (a.k.a. floodlighting) could help lower the risk of potential home break-ins. Although this is a very cost-effective option, you may need to hire a licensed electrician to properly install the fixture. Even when you’re not home, these lights will hopefully put a possible intruder on blast.

4. Replace batteries in smoke alarms

We can’t stress this one enough! Homeowners: please replace the batteries in your smoke alarms at least once a year! If you just moved in, test every smoke detector in the home to ensure it’s working properly. If your home was built within the last 10 years, your smoke alarms may be wired together to intercommunicate. If this is the case, start your testing in the master bedroom as if they’re wired together and the master will be able to help monitor the rest of the home. Not sure what this means? Basically, if any other bedroom smoke detector goes off, the master bedroom detector should too.

Pro Tip: Install a carbon monoxide detector if your home doesn’t have one. These can be built into a smoke detector or a product on their own. The device is designed to detect the presence of carbon monoxide gas and loudly alarm those inside a home. Carbon monoxide is colorless, odorless, tasteless and doesn’t have any physical irritating compounds and it’s deadly to humans. Keep yourself out of harm’s way by buying and installing at least one carbon monoxide detector in your home.”

5. The best family gift ever – a puppy!

This is one of our favorite security options! Your new furry best friend can also be your first notification that something may be wrong. Dogs have a keen sense of fear and danger. Having a dog can not only fend away potential burglars, but studies have shown that animals can increase life expectancy and overall quality of life for both adults and children.

When you decide to sell your home and move into a new one, not only can you use Offerpad, but you can bring your dog to the new house and that barking security system with you. Don’t forget to add a window and yard “Beware of Dog” sign.

Image Credits:
Self-monitored security cameras: https://www.qeisecurity.com/
Smoke alarm: https://www.nest.com/
Front door security camera: https://www.amazon.com/