Your 10-Step Home Security Audit Plan
Cool gusts of air, wind picking up, leaves fluttering to the ground...seasons of change are upon us! And, when seasons begin to change that is the perfect time to give your home a security and safety tune-up. Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to get your home in tip-top security shape with these 10 action steps from Alarm.com: Step 1: Create an emergency action plan for your family (you can also use this one) for fire safety and escape routes.
Your plan should include the following:
Where to meet in an emergency, and how to get there.
Roles and responsibilities. For example, who dials for help?
How to navigate specific hazards, such as smoke.
Emergency contacts: who else will you alert?
Create, then practice different versions of your plan for a fire, a break-in and an extreme weather event. The Red Cross recommends that you practice twice a year. In fact, visit our blog post about fire emergency planning with a printable fire drill guide!
If you're an Alarm.com user, it's easy to add a family member to your alerts as an emergency contact. And with professional monitoring, you won't need to worry about dialing 911.
2: Prioritize yard tasks with security benefits
Take advantage of the beginning slight coolness in the air to inspect your hedges, bushes and trees for security hazards. You're looking for potential hiding spots that give intruders a place to lurk. Trim these areas until you have a direct line of sight to the street. Ideally, anyone in your front yard should be visible to you, your neighbors, and passers-by.
3: Connect with your neighbors on security
Home security extends beyond your home. Teaming up with neighbors is one of America's top home security measures, and it's easy to connect with neighbors digitally when you can't meet in person. Your neighbors can keep you informed about suspicious activity in the neighborhood and watch your home when you're away.
In addition, check out the apps for Nextdoor and Neighbors. With Nextdoor you'll have a forum for neighbors to communicate, and with Neighbors you'll see alerts from people in your area about crime and other suspicious activity to be aware of.
4: Get your security technology up to date
Is your current security system out of date and difficult to use? Are you still using cameras that stream to your TV on a chosen channel, and you have to turn the TV on to see it, but not to your phone? Spend some time researching smart home security; it's the easiest way to protect your home. Not only will monitoring your security be much easier and faster, but a good modern security system will include:
A mobile app to control everything, see what's going on, and stay connected to home.
Professional monitoring for emergencies.
The ability to add security devices like outdoor cameras, doorbell cameras, and smart locks.
Alarm.com-powered security systems include all of the above and more, with expert support at every step. At GenX Security we can deliver a system that suits your family's needs perfectly.
5: Show intruders they're not welcome - signs work!
Already have an Alarm.com-powered security system? Excellent work. But will an intruder know? Burglars tend to take the path of least resistance and typically avoid homes with security systems. The more visible your system is, the more you'll benefit. This means making sure that your yard signs are front and center. Adding an outdoor security camera helps too. Don't have a yard or window sign for your GenX Security system? Contact us! We will get you one pronto!
6: Get your lighting in shape for daylight savings
You won't always be at home—but you'll always want potential intruders to think that you are. That's why smart lights are an outdoor security essential. At GenX Security, we can equip you with motion-triggered and automated lights. They're easy to add to your security system, and ensure that intruders won't be able to hide in the dark. For extra deterrence, ask us about Alarm.com's video analytics. This technology allows your security cameras to distinguish people from animals and vehicles, and trigger your outdoor lights accordingly. We use it and we love it!
7: Educate your kids on safety at home
We teach our kids to stay safe in the outside world. You should also teach safety at home—especially to older kids who want to stay home alone when you're out. Your kids should know:
Never to post on social media that they're home alone
Never to answer the door to strangers
How to lock up and arm the security system
What to do if they smell smoke or discover an emergency
8: Set up new alerts for home safety
Alarm.com's smartphone alerts help you stay one step ahead of danger. To enhance your safety at home, set up the following:
Geo-Services reminders: When you don't leave home as often, it's easy to make home security mistakes like forgetting to lock the door when you do. Geo-Services reminders use your location to alert you if you leave home with your security system disarmed or your door unlocked, so that you can secure the house remotely.
Contact sensor alerts: If your kids are exploring the house more than usual, setting up alerts for doors and windows will let you know if they're go places they aren't supposed to, or leave entry points to your home unsecured.
Unexpected Activity: these alerts look out for your family by letting you know when something happens that doesn't match your home's everyday activity patterns. Find out more here.
9: Inspect your security and safety devices
Did you test your smoke detectors when the clocks changed this spring? If not, now is a great time with fall daylight savings. Giving your home security and safety devices a quick inspection every few months helps to ensure that they'll always be ready when you need them. Test your smoke detectors and clean your security cameras, using your mobile app's live feeds to make sure their angles are correct. For additional peace of mind, set up a low battery alert for your Alarm.com-powered smoke detectors. Next time you need to change your batteries, you'll know in advance.
And, remember: test your system monthly!
10: Give your Alarm.com account a security audit
When you use smart technology to keep your home secure, it's extra-important to prevent unauthorized access to your account and mobile app. When you're done tuning up your physical security, take a few minutes to double-check your digital home security too.
Need a smarter home security system?
Protecting your home with Alarm.com and GenX Security is easy. We are your local smart home security experts. We'll help you figure out what you need, and we'll support you all the way.
Learn more at www.genxsecurity.com or give us a call at 866-598-4369. Our quotes are always free!
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