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Five Things to Consider in Protecting Your Home

Things to Consider in Protecting Your Home
Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay

Five Things to Consider in Protecting Your Home

When you invest a great deal in making your home your palace, it’s understandable to want to protect what you’ve built. After all, the assets we accumulate over time can quickly add up to real value. From 4K flat-screen TVs to tablets to jewelry and beyond, we spend a lot on the items we surround ourselves with.  Lets explore five things to consider in protecting your home

All of that can be gone in the blink of an eye. From Mother Nature to the discerning thief, what seems like a haven is not necessarily safe just because you locked the door when you left. If you’re looking to improve the protection of your home and possessions, there are a few things to consider.

Things to Consider in Protecting Your Home
Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay

1  Make sure you’re insured.

Most homeowners know to have their house insured, but it’s worth your time to take a close look at your policy to understand the full extent of your coverage. Riders can be  added for valuables like jewelry which are not covered under the base plan, but these are often options that get skipped over by consumers looking to lock in a low rate at first. As you invest in luxury items for your home, it can be worth it to look more closely at when and how you’re covered. For instance, your policy might cover the damage your roof sustains during a storm, but will it cover the TV that got taken out when it collapses? 

Just because you’re in a rental property doesn’t mean you should skimp on such protections. Odds are your landlord has insurance to cover structural issues, but that doesn’t mean you’re covered if your home is robbed while you’re out of town or if a fire destroys your laptop. Renters insurance can be relatively inexpensive but can pay significant dividends when you need coverage the most.

2 Know your worth in assets.

Most people accumulate their things over time. While the price tag of a brand new sound system might be fresh in your mind after its purchase, those memories can fade over time. Keep a running list of your valuables, their price, Picture, serial umber, and their location for those “just in case” moments. 

Keep in mind that appraisals aren’t just for jewelry. If you’re not entirely sure of the value of the assets you’ve built up over time, consider having someone come to the house to help you take stock of what you have. Formal paperwork can prove helpful should you ever need to tango with the insurance company.  

3 Security cameras are worth your time.

According to a 2016 study from UNC Charlotte, in 80% of burglaries, no one was home at the time of the crime. While most think of home intrusion as something that happens at night, the study found that the vast majority occurred between the hours of 12:00 PM and 4:00 PM when people are most often at work. Without witnesses, it can be hard to track down the people who’ve stolen your possessions and get justice. That’s where cameras come in handy.

Security cameras
Photo by Sebastian Scholz (Nuki) on Unsplash

There are a wide variety of camera systems you can consider. Doorbell cameras can give you peace of mind before you move to answer the door and provide a record of who came to your home and when. Outdoor security cameras can help you catch prowlers who may be scouting your home to find the best way in. Should someone break in, strategically placed interior cameras can be invaluable. While a burglar might think to shield their face near obviously placed cameras, they may be less likely to notice small cameras in the home. All of these devices create a record that can be useful when trying to assess what was taken and who might be responsible.

4 System security should be a priority.

Most home security systems today operate off of wifi connections. This can make it easier to operate with more convenient functionality, but it also makes your system susceptible to hacking. For this reason, you should be both careful about who you select for home security installation and the protections offered for your system. Find a reputable company that you maintain control of access to the system. You’ll want to make sure there are multiple layers of security built into the system to ensure no one can make important changes except you.

5  For high-value items, consider asset security devices.

Theft doesn’t always look like a dramatic break-in with masks and armed robbers. In some cases, it might be a guest swiping an item while you’re not looking or a service provider taking advantage of access to your home to grab something of value. While thinking of such violations of trust might not be comfortable, asset security can provide peace of mind.

Think of these devices as mini-security systems that are specific to a given value. If the item or space is tampered with, you’ll be notified. From jewelry boxes to wine collections, spaces with a condensed amount of valuables can be easily protected. These devices are typically pretty flexible and can be moved at will, making them a convenient way to keep tabs on specific parts of your home. For instance, if you’re going to have repairs done at your house but won’t be able to directly supervise those doing the work, they might be situated in parts of the home where the service providers have no business entering. This can give you more confidence in the safety of your belongings. Think of these things to consider in protecting your home when your walking around your home taking stock of whats valuable to you.