There is no doubt that your home is your largest asset. And in Southern California where home prices are some of the highest in the nation, you want to be sure you are doing everything possible to protect that asset. Here are 8 simple tips that can easily increase the safety of your house, adding value to your home and security for your family.
1. Home Insurance Is a Must
Most mortgage companies will not approve your loan unless you can prove that you will carry home insurance. Having insurance indicates you will have a means to make repairs in the event of a disaster, which demonstrates to lenders that you are a better candidate for a loan. Home insurance covers problems homeowners commonly face, from fires to natural disasters, and home burglary to dog bites. When you have home insurance, you can rest easy knowing that even in the worst case scenario, you will not be left to fend for yourself.
2. Get a Monitored Home Security System
Home security systems have increased in popularity with the introduction of smart home technology, which allows you to access your security system, door locks, and even lights remotely with the use of an app on your phone. These systems are excellent to use as an alert when someone has broken into your home, and can also give you peace of mind knowing that police can be contacted immediately in the event of an emergency. With smart home technology, you have control over your home’s security system, no matter how far away you are.
3. Put Up Home Security Stickers
Even if purchasing a home security system is outside of your budget, you can do is get ahold of some stickers advertising a home security system and place them on your doors and windows. Although this method cannot offer the same protection and notification in the event of a break-in, a criminal looking for an easy target is less likely to risk breaking into a house that might have an alarm.
4. Fence Off Water Features
Backyard drownings occur far too often, especially in the summertime, and many of these drownings are preventable. If you have a pool or spa in your backyard, make sure it is fenced in so an unsupervised child cannot get to it. Teach your children water safety, and make sure no child is ever left alone near a body of water—drowning is a possibility regardless of how little water is present.
5. Install Smoke Detectors
Smoke detectors are an important feature to have in any home. These alarms notify you when smoke is present within your home, and can potentially save your life, especially if a fire starts while you are sleeping. If you do choose to purchase a home security system, these companies often offer smoke detector monitoring, and will alert the fire department if your alarm is triggered.
6. Buy a Carbon Monoxide Detector
Carbon monoxide is an odorless gas that can easily be present within your home, and can lead to sickness and even death if left undetected. Carbon monoxide detectors can be purchased from local stores or online, and are an inexpensive way to protect your home and family.
7. Invest in a Fire Extinguisher
There’s more to preventing a house fire than making sure the stove isn’t left on. Every kitchen needs is a fire extinguisher. Having a fire extinguisher on hand in your pantry or under the sink can make all the difference when a fire does start, providing you a way to smother it before it spreads and causes serious damage to your home.
8. Keep the Boxes of Big Ticket Items Hidden
One important thing you can do to make your home less appealing to intruders is to break down boxes that televisions, computers, game systems, and anything else of value are sold in, and shove them to the bottom of your garbage or recycling bin. This is especially important after Christmas and other gift-giving holidays when garbage cans are overflowing, and a visible box acts as an advertisement to a burglar.
Contact Insurance Center Associates Today
While some things are unavoidable, there are preventative measures you can take in and around your home to make it safer.
The 8 tips above are only the beginning—contact Insurance Center Associates today to learn more about home insurance in San Pedro, home insurance in Torrance, and all other coverage options we provide in the area to help keep your home and family safe.