Our homes are meant to be places of sanctuary for ourselves and our families. Indeed, alongside the practical aspects of affordability and space, one of our key priorities, when we’re looking to buy or rent a home, is generally whether it is in a safe and secure neighborhood. We can’t create a happy home environment if we’re always wondering when something is going to go wrong.
Unfortunately, home invasions and burglaries are a reality of the world we live in today. A recent Pew Research study found that burglary was the 2nd most common type of property crime in the U.S. in 2019, with 340.5 cases per 100,000 people. However, we shouldn’t treat these facts as reasons to be afraid in our own homes or to panic. Rather, this information helps us to understand what the risks are so that we can calmly and effectively improve our ability to keep our households safe.
So, where should we be focusing our security efforts? What methods, tools, and strategies can we put in place to minimize the potential risks to our secure and happy home life?
Technology
The way we live our lives today is enhanced by technology. Our homes are quickly becoming filled with assortments of computer equipment, smart devices on the Internet of Things (IoT), and smartphones. While these can represent tools to make our lives more efficient and enjoyable, there are risks involved. Our ownership of pricey equipment can make our homes attractive prospects for burglars. Not to mention that constantly sharing data across networks can make our private information vulnerable to cybercriminals.
That said, the technology evident in the IoT can also serve to improve the security and safety of our homes. Doorbell cameras have become one of the most prevalent tools at our disposal. These allow us to screen visitors to our homes and view security footage remotely via smartphone apps. There are also full smart security packages that provide indoor and outdoor cameras around all potential entry points. Recordings are usually triggered by motion sensors built into the devices, so even if burglars bypass ringing the doorbell, we can see who is trying to gain access to our homes, and alert the authorities accordingly.
When it comes to keeping your family’s private information safe from those who use less physical methods of intrusion, it’s important to be as vigilant with your devices as you would with your home. Firstly, ensure that firewalls and virus detection software are present and up to date on all computers and tablets, and run regular scans. However, the most important step is a robust password protocol. Where possible, use a password management app like LastPass or Keeper
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