Safe & Sound: Home Security Must-Haves for Your New Home

Quality glass

While double glazing is best known for its energy-saving benefits, did you know that it can boost your home security too? Double-glazed windows are constructed of two pieces of glass, each one is four to five millimetres thick, making them extremely difficult for an intruder to break. If security is a priority, double-glazed windows are an upgrade that is well worth considering

Locks and hardware

As part of your home security strategy, specify locks to all your external doors, including keyed locks in the handles of swing doors, and deadlocks to your front door and garage door. Consider adding internal locks to your sliding glass doors in place of standard snib locks.

For added peace of mind, you may want to upgrade from single-cylinder deadlocks, which require a key to unlock from the outside but can be opened with a snib from the inside, to a double-cylinder deadlock, which requires a key to open from both outside and inside. A double-cylinder deadlock will also prevent your front door from being opened via a broken sidelight. Note that it’s important to disengage the deadlocks when you are at home for an easy exit in the event of a fire.

Once you’ve got the fundamentals in check during the building stage, there are some additional measures you can take to optimise your home security. When it comes to front door hardware, you may consider installing a keyless lock, which allows you to open the door via a code, fingerprint, or voice command rather than a key – a smart option if you worry about your front door key getting lost or stolen.

Another smart option is a video intercom, which lets you see and speak to whoever is on your doorstep, without having to open your front door.

Security systems

An electronic alarm system that calls for help when it’s triggered is likely to strike fear in the heart of any intruder, making it an important part of any home security plan. There are a variety of different security systems to choose from, ranging from simple to highly sophisticated.

A basic alarm system comprises motion detectors, a control pad, a siren and a strobe light. When the system is activated, any activity inside your house will cause the alarm to sound. The system can be local, you can have it set up to send an alert to your mobile phone, or it can go through to a monitoring company who then respond by sending out a patrol.

For more enhanced security and convenience, you can opt for a security system that incorporates CCTV cameras that you can monitor from your mobile phone, and arm or disarm remotely. Some systems also feature a Digital Video Recorder, which can be helpful if you want to see if anyone has approached your property while you’re away from home, as well as giving you the opportunity to see whether deliveries have arrived.

Sensor lighting

One of the easiest ways to deter a burglar – and to know instantly if someone is approaching your home – is to install motion sensor lights. They provide added convenience too, lighting up your driveway, front path and entry when visitors approach, without you having to get up and turn on the lights. In addition, they can give you peace of mind when you’re on holiday as illuminating your exterior makes it appear as though someone is home.

Choose from single and double floodlights on motion sensors attached to your external walls, which will illuminate when someone walks by your home; or opt for specific sensor lights – for example, to your front door or path – that only come on when someone walks towards them.

An internal fuse box

If an appliance or light in your home suddenly goes out, you may not feel comfortable walking outside to check the fuse box to investigate. Installing your fuse box indoors means that you check the box and reset the circuit breakers in a safe and secure environment.

Surge protection

Intruders aren’t the only threat to your possessions; if you are looking to protect valuables such as computers, televisions and kitchen appliances in the event of an electric storm, consider installing a surge protection switch in your meter box in your new Carlisle home.

You can read more home-security tips here. Or be sure to have a chat with our colour consultants during your Spectra visit about the various security options available with your new home. If you’d like to speak to one of our friendly staff call 1300 535 416.