How Can I Make My Home Safer On A Budget?

Your home is your safe space. It's where you come to relax, unwind, and make memories with the kids. But keeping your home safe and secure using high-tech security systems can be expensive.

With the average home containing 300,000 items in it, you want to make sure that your valuables are kept safe. The good news is there are a few ways you can make your home a safer place without spending a small fortune on home security and updated systems throughout the house. Here are a few tips you can use to make your home safe on a budget.

Update your locks

Despite what movies would have you believe, most burglars aren't super-intelligent villains who can break into and out of your home without leaving a trace. Burglars are often average people who are looking for homes that are easy to break into because getting caught has major consequences. For instance, in the state of Michigan, home invasions have a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison.

You can reduce your risk of a home invasion by keeping your doors and windows locked and by updating your locks. Make sure your entrances can't be easy to pick, jimmy, or bump open. You want locks that are tamper-proof such as deadbolt locks.

Keep your home in good shape

It's all too easy to let small problems go undetected around your house. Up to 23% of homeowners say they never inspect their roof unless there's a problem and 10% of U.S. households have some type of plumbing leak.

These small maintenance problems can build up over time until your home isn't safe anymore. Roofing problems can put your home at risk for ice dams in the winter, and plumbing leaks can put your home at risk for burst pipes. When different areas of your house get wet, it only takes 48 hours for mold to set in. The longer that things stay moist, the more likely they are to become permanently damaged as well. On top of these, the HVAC system of your house can greatly affect your health. Every day contaminants and pollutants are pulled in and re-circulated five to seven times per day. Over time, these build up and, if not taking care of, can be dangerous. By taking care of these household issues while they're still small problems, you can avoid major disasters that can be incredibly expensive and threatening to your health.

Set up a fence

Your home's door and window locks are considered your first line of defense against burglars and other dangers. But you can add additional security features to the exterior of your home to give yourself more defensive barriers.

One actual barrier you can put up is a fence. You don't need a permit to set up a fence that's lower than seven feet unless it's a swimming pool barrier. And you can choose from a wide variety of fencing materials for optimal privacy.

Another line of defense you can install outside your home if a fence isn't in your budget is exterior lighting. Burglars like to get in and out of a house quickly, which means they're not likely to try and break-in if they can be easily spotted by neighbors or if it's difficult to get into your home. Exterior lighting, especially motion-sensor lighting, is a great way to cheaply make your home more secure.

When it comes to home security and safety, your first thought may be to install a high-tech security system. But you may not be able to afford an expensive security system to keep burglars and other dangers at bay. By following the tips above, you can reduce your risk of home invasions and make your home a safer place from the inside out.