You don’t need to drop big bucks to keep your family safe anymore. Read on to learn about the most affordable home security options available today.
You don’t have to sacrifice your family’s safety if you don’t have a big budget to secure your home. Thankfully these days there are plenty of affordable options available for you to create a home security system.
Keep reading to learn more about affordable home security options to help keep you and your family safe.
1. Fake Security Cameras
A huge deterrence to thieves is the appearance of security cameras monitoring your home. While this is a great way to protect your property, it can come at a bit of a price. However, you can still get the same results of deterring burglars by installing fake security cameras.
These are especially useful for protecting larger properties without having to invest a lot of money. You can create the appearance of having a locked-down compound by installing these in intervals around your grounds. While they are a great deterrent, fake cameras can only protect you so much. You should still consider having some alarm system installed, or use the fake cameras to offset the cost of having a number of real cameras.
2. Smart Bulbs
Most burglars will avoid a house if it is occupied. A big indication that someone is home is having the lights on inside your home. With smart bulbs installed in the kitchen, living room, or even the front porch or patio, you can schedule them to turn on and off at different times throughout the day. This gives the appearance of someone being home and can make your home less appealing to a potential crook.
These smart bulbs are also cost-effective. Most brands range between $8 and $30, which is about the same price as most LED lightbulbs. This security feature can be connected to your WiFi network and controlled through an app on your mobile phone.
Before heading out for the day, or on a week’s vacation, you can set up a schedule on your phone and enjoy your time away without worry.
3. ADT Pulse Doorbell Camera
The ADT Pulse Doorbell Camera is a high definition wireless doorbell camera that connects to your ADT Pulse Gateway security system. You can connect to the doorbell using your smartphone, computer, or tablet which allows you to see who is at your door, no matter where you are located.
This easy to install system replaces your existing doorbell and you can choose between digital or analog chimes. If you choose to not hardwire your Pulse Gateway doorbell camera you can install the ADT Pulse Chime, which runs roughly $60, so you can still hear the doorbell ringing from anywhere inside your home.
4. Amazon Echo Dot
Alexa Guard is a free security feature from Amazon that uses Alexa to listen for specific sound frequencies that are associated with a break-in, such as the sound of breaking glass or the sounds of people moving about your house. An Echo Dot is the cheapest option for having access to this system since it can cost as low as $25 each.
In order to activate the Alexa Guard feature, simply say “Alexa, I’m leaving” and it will begin to listen for any sounds that seem off. If anything does happen while you are away from home, you will receive an alert on your mobile phone.
5. Motion Detector Lighting
Motion detector lighting systems are a great addition to the exterior of your home. They can light up dark areas of your yard when there is motion making it difficult for a burglar to hide or sneak their way into your home without being seen. Most units are inexpensive and standard sets that are hard-wired cost about $15 each.
If you aren’t able to run a power supply to the lighting system, you can buy a system that runs on solar power. It might be a little more money upfront but will save you on your electric bill down the road. A bonus of a solar power motion detector is it will still operate even if your power is out.
6. Door Reinforcement Hardware
Your exterior doors are the most common point of entry for burglars. When determined to get into your home all they have to do is give it a good strong kick or slam their body into it letting the doorjamb split and then they can walk right in.
To avoid this, remove the deadbolt cylinder and the entry knob and install a wrap-around reinforcement plate kit with four long stainless steel wood screws. The screws should be at least 1 1/2 inches long so they are anchored strongly in the wood.
You should also replace the door lock strike plate with one made of heavy steel and stainless steel screws that are at least 3 inches long. If your deadbolt is less than ten years old then it is likely already reinforced.
7. Secure Patio and Sliding Doors
The locks on patio doors are some of the easiest locks to pick. You can install an auxiliary foot lock that attaches to the bottom of the sliding door and has a bolt that fits into the grommet secured to the door track. Installation is rather simple, you just fasten the lock to the door and then drill holes in the track and then insert the grommet for the pin.
If you’d rather avoid the trouble of installing the patio door lock, you can also install a bar that will keep the door from sliding open. There are metal burglar bars made specifically for this application. You can also create one on your own that may match your interior decor, such as using a wooded handrail with an easy to grab handle.
Learn More About Affordable Home Security Today!
These are some of the many affordable home security options that you can invest in for your own home. Don’t leave your family’s safety to chance and do what you can to protect you and your property.
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