Lock Down Home Security This Summer

Summertime is here and many homeowners are making plans to hit the road for a summer trip. Whether it’s a weekend at the cottage or an overseas jaunt, it means leaving your home unattended. Making sure it is secure while you are gone is the best way to enjoy a worry-free vacation.

  • If you have moved recently and have not yet done so, have the locks rekeyed or replaced immediately.
  • Install deadbolt locks on basement and garage doors, as well as entrance doors. The deadbolt should be at least an inch long and the strike plate should be secured in the door framing stud. If the locks are vintage, now is the time to upgrade.
  • Check that exterior doors are properly hung, with the hinge pins located on the inside: otherwise the door can be simply lifted off its hinges with a screwdriver.
  • Sliding glass doors are a common entry point for thieves. Secure them by installing anti-slide and anti-lift bars.
  • Have a monitored home security system installed for total peace of mind. Many insurance companies offer up to a 15% discount on policies for homes equipped with alarm systems. Alarm systems are now available to suit all budgets. Elliot Gordon is now offering one year FREE monitoring with Think Protection (www.ThinkProtection.com) when you buy a home from him in 2016. That’s a low price for a lot of peace of mind!
  • Keep garages and garden sheds locked and store ladders out of sight.

By taking a few simple steps before you leave on vacation, you’ll ensure your home is not easy pickings for thieves while you are away.

Source: Homeservice Club