How to Protect Your Home as a Survivor of Domestic Violence
Being a survivor of domestic violence can leave your world turned upside down. It can make you feeling vulnerable and anxious and impact the quality of your life. Modifying your home to improve its security is one way that you can reclaim your sense of safety. Here are some tips on protecting your home.
Reinforce Entrances
Your windows and doors are a good place to start when protecting your home. Assessing your home for vulnerabilities can be unsettling, but it's essential. Knowing that you've identified and are addressing issues with your home can give much-needed peace of mind. It's also one of the cheapest ways to modify your home's security.
First of all, add extra locks, especially deadbolts, to exterior doors. Take note that locks offer various levels of protection, with those classified Grade 1 the most secure. It may be prudent to also strengthen your door against forced entry by installing reinforcing hardware, such as a heavy-duty strike plate and foot locks for patio doors. Additionally, if you have wooden doors, then replace them with steel or metal alternatives. Finally, consider adding peep holes, like a wide-angle door viewer, to put you in complete control of your home's entrances. For your windows, add strengthened locks and give thought to security bars. There are alternatives to bars if you do not like the appearance, such as laminated glass and shatter-resistant film for interior use.
Install Surveillance Cameras
When we think of CCTV and other surveillance equipment, we often think of clunky devices that offer blurry, choppy recordings. According to Angie’s List, “Today’s home security systems are far more advanced, and homeowners can now choose from a wide range of security options, such as around-the-clock monitoring and video surveillance.” They can also be budget-friendly and be accessible via a computer or smartphone. Installing cameras can act as a tangible deterrent, even when placed discretely around your house. Home security systems can be either wired or wireless. It's important to take certain precautions for either system. If you opt for a wired camera, be sure that their cords aren't accessible as they could be tampered with. Wireless systems, meanwhile, need be assigned to a private network. This will provide security against unwanted digital intrusion. Surveillance systems can be a great investment and can even be used as evidence of forced entry.
Use Alarm Systems
Behind every secure home is a comprehensive system of alarms. Small wireless devices can be placed throughout your home on doors and windows and can generate a tremendous amount of noise when triggered. The majority of such systems utilize motion detection and can be continuously monitored. Alarm systems are an essential addition to your home's defenses and can automatically alert emergency services in the event of an intrusion being detected. Consider opting for a purely wireless system to ensure that it continues to be functional even if your phone or internet is cut.
Increase Lighting
Making your home well lit is one of the best things you can do to give yourself an extra sense of security. Light also happens to be comforting, and a lit home can be a compelling deterrent. Regularly check bulbs to ensure they're properly working. Some lights have motion sensors, and it would be prudent to invest in these and place them at all your home's entrances. Their effectiveness cannot be understated, and some have the advantage of being solar powered. Timed lighting, both indoor and outdoor, is another form of security that can be very effective in putting you in control of your environment, whether you're at home or not.
Finding and reinforcing areas of potential weaknesses will not be easy, but you deserve an environment where you can live without fear. Enhancing your home's security doesn't have to be expensive, and it can be as simple as adding locks and alarms. In the process, you will hopefully turn your home into a refuge that can be the foundation for a fresh beginning.
