Here’s How to Make Your Home Safer

A good security system is essential to keeping your home safe, but there are other perils to consider too. Water, fire, and fumes are all potential hazards. From deadbolts and security cameras to smoke alarms and child safety gates, here’s how to protect your home and help keep your family and property safe.

Home Locksets

Exterior door locks are important facets of any home security system. There are various types of locksets available, choosing one that helps you feel safe is key.

Cylinder Deadbolts vs. Mortise Locksets

Cylindrical deadbolts have a round body that inserts into a large hole in the door's face. Mortise door locks have a rectangular body that slides into a rectangular pocket in the door's edge. Cylindrical-style locks slide only into the doorframe. Mortise boxes slide into the door itself for superior protection. Cylinder deadbolts are typically easier to install and more affordable than mortise locksets with their separate deadbolts and latches. Both are reliable options for home safety.

Keyed Locksets vs. Keyless Locksets

Keyed entry locksets include a doorknob handle along with a lock and key for security. Keyless locksets are opened by means of a combination or smart technology instead of a key. Both offer good security, though keyless options let you give family members and guests access without having to print and keep track of additional keys.

Smart Security Lighting

Smart security lighting offers a simple but innovative way to enhance your home security by making it look like you're home when you aren't. Unlike leaving a light on while you're away, scheduled smart lighting can mimic a lived-in look by changing colour, adjusting brightness, turning lights on and off in different rooms, and triggering internal lights via external motion sensors. You can even access your smart lighting remotely to make changes whenever you like.

Motion Sensor Lighting

Exterior lighting with motion sensors can help deter would-be burglars and vandals while also providing hands-free lighting solutions for enhanced home safety. A simple and cost-effective addition to your home security system, motion sensor lighting offers many benefits:

• Easy-to-install, low-maintenance security enhancement 

• Lights your way when you arrive home after dark Instantly alerts you to activity outside your home 

• Keeps key points of your home visible to neighbours when you are away 

• Helps deter criminal activity in and around your home 

• Saves energy over traditional lighting as it only operates when motion is detected

Alarms & Detectors

Alarms and detectors provide advanced warnings to help keep your home and family safe in an emergency. Every home should be equipped with the following:

Smoke Alarms & Fire Extinguishers

Smoke alarms are essential home safety tools that protect your family and property with an early warning in case of fire. Photoelectric smoke alarms detect slow smouldering fires, while ionizing smoke detectors excel at detecting fast flaming fires. Some alarms offer a combination of both technologies along with a carbon monoxide sensor. Fire extinguishers are essential for containing or putting out small fires in your kitchen, garage, or other areas around your home.

Carbon Monoxide Detectors

Carbon monoxide (CO) is a deadly gas with no smell, taste, or colour. A carbon monoxide detector will alert you to its presence and help prevent carbon monoxide poisoning. Because CO rises, detectors should be positioned approximately five feet from the floor or on a ceiling, ideally on each level of your home and in sleeping areas. A combo carbon monoxide and smoke alarm provides double the protection from the unexpected.

Water Leak Detectors

Protect your home from leaks caused by faulty roofing, basements, plumbing, or appliances with smart leak sensors that alert you to an issue before too much damage is done. To ensure early detection place sensors close to a leak-prone areas, including pipes, plumbing fixtures, and your sump pump.

Home Security Systems

A unified home security system helps you maintain control over your home safety. A wireless system provides easy onsite or remote access without the need for major installation efforts. Here are some useful components to consider: 

• A base station, which acts as a hub to connect all your smart home devices 

• Motion sensors to alert you to movement in areas in and around your home 

• Security cameras so you can see around your home and can record potential criminal activity 

• A doorbell camera so you can see who is at your door before answering 

• Contact sensors to alert you when doors or windows are opened or closed 

• Security alarms to scare off potential intruders and alert authorities

Child Safety

There are a number of child safety devices available to help minimize hazards and protect the youngest members of your household. Safety latches and safety locks on cabinets and drawers can prevent access to dangerous cleaners and sharp objects, while doorknob covers can help keep entire rooms off limits. Outlet safety plugs are inexpensive, easy to install, and can help prevent curious children from inserting fingers or sharp objects into electrical outlets. Safety gates are a great option for preventing access to doorways or stairways and can work for pets as well as babies and toddlers.

A safe home helps ensure a happy home for the whole family. Many safety and security devices are inexpensive, and remember, you don’t have to purchase everything all at once. If you’re just starting out, consider smart devices. It’s easier to build a smart home security system from scratch vs. converting existing items down the road.