How to build a safer home

Are you building a home? Or thinking of building one in the future? Well, if you answered yes then you have the rare opportunity to combine high-level security into the overall design right from the beginning. Here are some of the security measures you can build into your dream home, starting from the outside in.

1. Guard the Exterior

There are certain parts of a home’s exterior that are more vulnerable to burglary. You should always plan the outside of your home first to deter intruders…

- Create a Barrier: A fence or a gate is a great way to create a physical barrier for potential intruders. When you pick out fencing, keep in mind that height plays a big role in the level of security offered. If you get a high fence, remember that it will actually shield the intruder as they approach your home. A shorter fence will create a barrier while keeping the visibility.
- Optimize Landscaping: An intruder’s main goal is to look for a home with easy access points. It is a good idea to place pot plants and shrubs strategically to deter criminals and add an extra layer of defense. Thorn bushes can actually act as nature’s barbed wire!
- Shed Some Light: A burglar wants to get in and out quickly without being seen, so when you are planning your new home, be sure to include outdoor lighting. Always make sure to have timed and manual lights, and consider security lights that activate on motion. They will often scare criminals away.

2. Secure Potential Entryways

Most doorways are based on style, curb appeal and efficiency, but another feature you should look for is durability. All doors should be thick and resilient to prevent someone from entering. Some other common entry points are your windows, basements, garage and crawl spaces. To protect yourself and your family, install burglar bars and invest in keyed locks.

3. Plan your Home’s Interior

When you are designing your floor plan, keep safety in mind. It is best to have concealed storage places for expensive items, gadgets and money. TV armoires may not be your style, but they do a great job at keeping your expensive items neatly out of sight. Finally, install a video surveillance solution and have complete peace of mind that your home is safe even when you are not there.

Have you thought about optimizing your new home for security? 

Contact SIS - Security & Investigation Services today! they can provide you with a variety of home security and business services. 

Written By: Christine Romans

Are you getting enough from your home security?

Do you need a new home security solution or is the one you have working for you? This is a question many families across the country ask themselves; and it can sometimes be difficult to determine whether you need upgrades or not.

On the outside, your home security may appear to be just fine. After all, all your equipment is working just fine, right? What many folks don’t know are that there may be some underlying vulnerabilities that aren't noticeable.

Here’s how to tell if your home security solutions need an upgrade…

For all your home security needs, contact SIS - Security & Investigation Services. They can offer you a wide variety of services, from general guarding and farm protection to CCTV off site and alarm monitoring.


Written By: Christine Romans

Four routines for a safe home

Do you ever rush to make it to work on time and forget to lock your back door? Have you ever had that sinking feeling that you may have left your garage door open all day? We make home security mistakes all the time, but it does not need to be that way. If you just take 5 minutes of your time, you’ll be able to secure your home properly. Here is a quick guide.

     1.       Now that the weather is really hot, go from room to room and give your windows a quick check. Make sure that windows are locked and do not appear to be tampered with. Be sure to lock windows on second floors as well; burglars have been known to use ladders in order to access second story windows.

     2.       Be sure that outside items are picked up and put away. It may be ridiculous, but some of the most common items stolen from a home are children’s outside toys and lawn furniture left outside for extended periods. Criminals who are looking to make a quick score will grab high dollar bicycles, squirt guns, braai grills, pool equipment and so much more. These items are then sold for money, it’s not exactly the crime of the century, but some criminal’s specifically look for these items as they know the police are not going to put much effort into finding the culprit.

     3.       Make sure security cameras, fire alarms, carbon monoxide detectors and gas detectors are working, if you’re not sure how get a professional from a home security company like SIS – Safety& Investigation Services to check for you. You’re probably wondering how this relates to your home getting broken into. These items relate directly to the safety and security of your home and family, we’re not suggesting you check these items every time you leave, but you should check them throughout the year.

     4.       Last, but not least, make sure you turn off your oven and the iron! Seriously, leaving these two items on has become quite a cliché. However you might be shocked to learn of the high number of home fires which occur each year due to the unsafe use of these items and others like them.

Some of the items do not have to be performed before you leave your home every day, but you should always keep them in mind and try and fit them into your routine. Pick and choose what works best for you and your living situation.

Written By: Christine Romans