The one place you always expect to be safe from the dangers of the world is your home, and most of the time this is completely true. However, did you know that a burglary occurs every 40 seconds in the UK and that over 5 million people in the UK are victims of cyberbullying and at risk of a physical threat? With staggering numbers like that, safety is more important than ever and today, we’re going to look at ways you can stay safe, even in the comfort of your own home.
Consider a security system
Security systems that include motion sensors, alarms, cameras, and smart locks are a surefire way of adding an extra few layers of security to your home. Smart doorbells like Ring are a cheap and convenient way of protecting your home and most importantly, you and your family. If you’re on a smaller budget, consider installing locks on your gates and installing motion-sensing lights so that if someone does enter your property, you’ll know about it before any harm is caused.
Don’t let just anyone in
Not too far into the past, you didn’t have to worry about who knocked on your door, as it was very likely that you knew everyone that knew where you lived. However, these days, people are in danger of harm from the people that knock on their door. It’s common sense to not let every Tom, Dick, and Harry into your home, but in situations where you need to such as a boiler repair, make sure you verify a persona identification card carefully so that you can be sure it’s not someone trying to get into your home for other reasons like theft and bodily harm. Again, using a smart doorbell will allow you to see who is knocking on your door without the need to answer it.
Know how to be safe online, and teach your children too
One of the scariest places in this day and age is the internet, and it might seem pretty impossible to be harmed by something that’s on a computer or tablet screen. However, there are many organizations that will ‘hack’ your computer. This can be done in many ways such as corrupt downloaded files from unknown websites and insecure websites being watched by keyloggers. It’s a shocking but true fact that it’s very easy to obtain someone’s personal information and use it against them.
Learning how to be safe when using the internet is imperative for both your financial status and your well-being. Teaching your children how to be safe online will protect them from the risk of being groomed or cyberbullying.
Know who your trusted neighbors are
You don’t necessarily have to be best friends with your neighbors to know who you can trust, and it’s not unusual to have neighbors that you feel you cannot trust. Use your allies to build a neighborhood watch system and help protect each other from harm or theft.
Having a trusted neighbor can also come in handy if you’re away from your home for long periods of time or on vacation as they can watch your home while you’re away and report back to you if there are any troubles. Sometimes having that peace of mind can help you feel safe when you’re so far away from your home.
Consider a personal alarm
Finally, a great way of adding a blanket of security on you at all times (other than having your phone) is by wearing a personal alarm. These alarms make very loud and shrill noises when activated, and can really help in situations such as walking home alone and could come in handy when at home too. Vulnerable people such as the elderly and disabled often carry personal alarms for medical situations, and they work in the same way. They’re fairly inexpensive to buy and could potentially save your life.
As you can see, staying safe at home requires more than making sure your windows and doors are locked. Remember that safety in your home should be a number one priority and if you ever feel unsafe or compromised, you should always ring the emergency services as soon as possible.
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