Keeping you and your loved ones safe with proactive security checks is imperative in this day and age. At DM Security and Tech, we recommend the following basic tips:

1) If you have an alarm system, do a thorough test of your sensors and panic buttons with your security company every few months.
2) If you do not have an alarm system, invest in a few wireless sensors that make noise around your house. Intruders do not like noise and anything that brings attention to them.
3) Have motion sensor spotlights around your house – ideally solar powered to ensure that even with no electricity, your lights work.
4) Make sure your keys are within easy reach should you need to escape your home quickly, but not close enough to doors and windows that an intruder could reach them from outside.
5) You now get motion sensor lights that come with built-in alarms. Install these on the interior of your boundary walls to alert you to any motion long before anyone reaches your door.

6) Make sure you have backup lighting in your home, in the form of battery-powered lights.
7) Make sure you have some form of self-defence weaponry in your home. This does not have to be lethal – batons, tasers and pepper spray will also help in the event of an attack.
8) Make sure a friend or family member nearby has a copy of your house keys for emergency (but do not label it as your in case they suffer a home invasion).
9) If you have dogs, allow them to sleep inside. Not only are they safer from intruders poisoning them, but a dog barking from within the house is a big deterrent. Dogs can safely sleep in the bathroom or kitchen if you do not want them in the bedroom or living areas.
10) Keep fire extinguishers or a few bottles of water around your home in the event of a fire.

11) If feasible, keep a secondary, basic second phone around the house, ideally not a smart phone and ideally on a different cellphone network. This is in the event your regular provider’s network goes down, as well as in case your smart phone gets stolen out your home (an old phone is less attractive to steal).
12) If it’s feasible, turn the burglar bars of one window of your bedroom into a hinged gate for an additional emergency exit.
13) Many security companies have response options even if you don’t have an alarm system (in the event you cannot afford a full alarm system and full response) – check to see if security company in your area offers such a package.