10 Unconventional Ways to Protect your Home

Home security is a concern for many homeowners and renters. While most people think of traditional methods such as installing a security system or locking the doors, there are other ways to protect your home that can be just as effective. Here are 10 unconventional ways to keep your home safe.

Stay in touch with your neighbors.

These days, many people avoid forging relationships with their neighbors, but a mutual familiarity with the people that live nearest you benefits all parties. Ask your neighbors to keep an eye out for suspicious activity when you aren’t around, and you’ll return the favor. They may prove to be the best alarm system there is.

Keep the plants and shrubs trimmed.

They can often provide cover while a thief works on getting through your door. Plus, shrubs generally look nicer when they’re trimmed!

Put large, reflective numbers on your mailbox and house.

This will make it easier for the police to find your house should you or a neighbor call them about a possible disturbance or robbery.

Shut your blinds at night

Lights on, dark outside? Keep your blinds shut. You’d be surprised by how many burglars (and, let’s face it, creeps) take advantage of that time of night when they can see straight into your home.

Don’t leave garage door openers in the car

Don’t leave your car in the driveway with the garage door opener inside. Cars are easy to break into. You put your home security at risk by leaving a key to your home in the vehicle.

Prepare for cyclones/ tornadoes

Preparing for disasters may seem a little paranoid, but it’s smart. Disasters can strike in an instant. Start by creating a tornado-safe room. This room should be windowless and stocked with emergency supplies like food, water, medication, and a radio.9. 

Make sure you have a working fire extinguisher.

 Or two. No better way to quickly put out a fire.

Create a Home Inventory

Make a home inventory, just in case the contents of your home ever need to be replaced by your insurance company. You can keep the finished list in your fireproof safe. It’s smart to also put a digital copy in the cloud, just in case.

Don’t multitask while cooking

You have fried chicken on the stove, laundry in the dryer, kids who need homework help, and urgent texts from your boss. This is a recipe for a fire-related disaster. Don’t leave food on the stovetop unattended. If you have to answer a text or sift through the mail, stay nearby. Keep pot and pan handles turned so kids can’t reach them, or—better yet—keep the kids out of the kitchen.

Sign up for Smart911

Smart911 is a free service used by select 911 agencies. With it, you can set up a family profile with pictures of each family member, their allergies, and their medical information. You can even add pet info. In an emergency, the data is shared with EMTs or other responders.

While we can’t promise that implementing all of these tips will keep your home safe from every possible danger, they should help you create a more secure environment and give you peace of mind. We hope you found this list helpful. What do you think about these unconventional ways to protect your home? Do you have any ideas to add?