Gone are the days when homeowners would go to sleep at night with their doors unlocked, and windows opened. In today’s world, we have to be more cautious and careful with our home safety. We also have to be on guard for fires, floods, or other disasters. Here are five things you can do to keep your home safe in Claremore.
#1. Install An Alarm Or Security System
Your first line of defense against intruders is to lock your doors and windows when you’re not home or are asleep. You can also install deadbolts and place wooden rods in the tracks of sliding glass doors for extra protection. Alarm systems and doorbell cameras are getting more and more affordable, and many can be operated with your smartphone. A doorbell ring system with additional exterior cameras could deter thieves and also catch those bold enough to try on camera. “The Ring” doorbell system also lets you communicate with your neighbors through the app to share information about suspicious activities and break-ins.
#2. Keep Up Home Maintenance
Keeping exterior doors and windows well-maintained can also help decrease break-ins. Make sure broken windows are fixed immediately. Also, cleaning out gutters can prevent flooding in basements. There are many ways routine maintenance can keep your home from being a fire-trap, preventing water damage, or keep it secure from forced entry.
#3. Update Your Smoke Detectors
Fire safety is very important. Make sure to update and check batteries for smoke detectors and to have plenty of them throughout the home. There should also be a fire extinguisher on every floor of the home. Carbon monoxide is a silent and odorless killer; make sure to get a detector for that as well.
#4. Turn On Some Lights
Burglars hate the light; it makes their job more difficult. So keep outside lights on at night. If you’re going to be away, keep some inside lights on or keep them on a timer to give the appearance that people are home. If you think you’ll forget to turn outside lights off and on, you can put them on a timer as well.
#5. Make Things More Difficult To Steal
Many thieves break in just to do quick grabs. Often they are looking for purses or car keys that are hanging out just past the front door. Put purses and car keys deeper inside the house and out of plain sight. You can also keep other valuables like cash and jewelry in lockboxes and put them in hard to see areas as well. Some people hide valuables in plain sight with deceptive containers. The point is, the thief won’t spend a lot of time searching for things. They are often in and out within minutes.
If you need homeowners insurance or personal property insurance, contact our team of dedicated insurance agents in Claremore, Oklahoma today at (918) 341-2056