How To Improve Your Home’s Security On A Budget

Even though securing a home should be a priority for every homeowner, many shy away from making improvements, fearing the costs.  However, improving your home’s security doesn’t have to cost a fortune unless you consider installing the most sophisticated state-of-the-art security systems.

This article will highlight some of the options you can explore when improving your home’s security on a budget, including some ideas that will cost you nothing.

Free and Cheap Ways of Making Your Home More Secure

Sometimes it doesn’t have to cost you anything to improve the security of your home.  At other times the cost can be very insignificant. But the results can make significant differences. Here are several cheap and free ideas on improving your home’s security on a budget.

Keep Your Doors and Windows Locked

Home burglary statistics suggest that most burglars look for easy targets. In most instances, burglars use the front door or the first-floor window to access homes. Ensuring that you secure your doors and windows by locking them can significantly reduce an opportunistic intruder’s chances of gaining access.

Reinforce Your Doors, Windows and Locks

Having rock-solid locks with weak door and window frames or vice versa can give intruders effortless access to your house. Vulnerable doors and windows can allow intruders access to your home with a well-placed slam or kick on your door or window. If your doors, windows, and locks show signs of weakness, it is time to replace or reinforce them. AR Iron custom made security doors can be a suitable replacement when considering making door replacements.

Avoid Putting Your Spare Key in An Obvious Place

Most homeowners make the common mistake of placing the extra key in obvious places, for example, under the doormat or inside a flower pot near the door. Opportunistic burglars know this and will always check for keys in those areas. Avoid making it too easy for them by getting a trusted person to keep the extra key for you.

Install A Home Security Sign

Putting a home under surveillance or security sign can help in keeping intruders away. Most intruders do not want to gamble with getting caught and will most likely opt for another house to break in rather than risk it.

Install Motion Sensor Lights

Criminals don’t enjoy being in the limelight or getting noticed. By installing motion sensor lights indoors and outdoors, you can significantly reduce the chances of a break-in. You can find motion sensor security lights for as low as $15 to $20 online.

Cost Friendly Home Security Systems

Technology has allowed the production of high-quality yet low-cost gadgets that can go a long way in enhancing your home’s security. Here is a list of some.

Ring Alarm

Ring Alarm works by sending you a notification whenever the alarm system is triggered. Starting at only $10 per month, you can get professional monitoring or opt for self-monitoring for $3 per month.

Simply Safe

From as low as $14.99 per month, you can have a Simply Safe system running at your home. It is a professionally monitored system where the monitoring service agents can dispatch emergency services in case of a break-in. For a few additional bucks, you could get to control and view your system remotely.

Abode

If you aim to take advantage of intelligent home automation, Abode is your choice. Compared to the previous options, the cost of Abode equipment is relatively higher but worth it. Once installed, you can choose between its three plans that range from free to $20 per month or $200 per year.

Cove

If all you need is a basic level security system, Cove is for you. It is professionally monitored and allows monitoring personnel to contact you through its control panel when it is triggered. Starting at $14.99 per month for the basic plan without mobile control and $24.99 for Cove plus plan with mobile control, you can significantly improve your home’s security at a fair cost.

Apps for Home Safety

The covid-19 pandemic has limited travelling. However, with the rollout of covid19 mass vaccination, it could be possible to venture far and wide soon. When outside the home, home security apps can be beneficial in monitoring your home. Here are a few cheap but effective options.

AtHome Camera

AtHome camera by Ichano is a remote camera that allows for live video surveillance. It features two-way talk, motion detector, night vision and is Wi-Fi enabled. It is controlled via a downloadable app through which you can log in remotely and control your system.

Vivint Smart Home

If you are looking for complete suite home security solutions, Vivint smart home is your best option. It features intelligent indoor and outdoor installations like intelligent door locks, doorbell cameras, remotely controlled thermostats and home control. Besides detecting danger, it actively prevents intrusion through light and sound and has 24-hour professional monitoring. With the running cost starting at $29.99 per month, it can be an excellent addition to boosting your home’s security.

Presence

Presence is a free app that uses any smart device’s camera.  You do not have to go for expensive fancy security cameras. The camera on your old phone will do just fine with Presence. It can also connect to other sensors in your home, like door and window sensor. Additionally, you can receive detailed reporting on your home’s in and out traffic at no fee. It is easy to install the app and requires no monthly subscriptions.

TinyCam Monitor

The TinyCam app is free to download and can be used to surveil your home remotely. It can control up to 16 cameras with four running simultaneously at any given point.  The system works perfectly with private and public internet networks, IP cameras, video encoders and DVRs.

The options listed in this post offer cheap, effective ways of keeping intruders at bay. However, you are not limited by these options. You can explore other options, but you could use this list as your starting point when considering how to improve your home security on a budget.

Fences and Gates Work Too

Physical barriers work and are one of the best ways to protect your home. Custom iron fencing and gates do more than create a barrier to keep away criminals; they also provide privacy from intrusive salespeople and keep your kids and pets safe from invasion by wild animals like coyotes.

If you live in Las Vegas, Nevada and its surrounding and are considering installing an iron fence, gateway entry or security door, AR Iron is your best choice. Our custom-made iron gates, fences, entryways and security doors are made from superior quality material than the regular door you can find at your local store, making them more effective at blocking intruders.

Please contact us today to be on your way to having your iron gate, fence, entryway, and security doors custom made to meet your expectations fully. No matter the size or the desired result, we make it happen.