It’s only after break-ins that many people think about their lack of security and reaching out to locksmiths to reinforce their homes. To protect your space, being proactive is the best approach. Implementing the below safety measures will make your property less appealing to intruders in the first place.    

How to Enhance Your Home Security

1. Keep Hedges & Shrubs Trimmed Low

If there are tall hedges and shrubs in the yard or property perimeter, take a few inches or feet off the top. It’s easy for intruders to hide behind tall vegetation and wait until the timing is right. Keeping vegetation low will take away potential hiding places. Also, plant roses, Japanese barberry, hardy orange, or other thorny bushes and shrubs right below windowsills. Intruders will think twice about tampering with the fixtures for fear of getting caught in the thorns. 

2. Be Mindful of Where You Place Valuables

When lights are on in the house at night, passersby can get a view of the interior. They could spot mounted flat-screen TVs, stereo equipment, artwork, and other valuables positioned near windows. To avoid putting your property on display, place expensive items out of view from the windows. Also, draw curtains or shutters after the sun sets to completely obscure views into the home. To make it harder for intruders to gain entry, store keys and access control systems out of view of the windows, too.

3. Upgrade Your Home Locks

If you bought the home with its current locks, there’s no telling who might still have keys to the property. A locksmith will provide rekeying, which involves replacing pins and springs in the lock cylinder so old keys no longer work. As an added measure of protection, a locksmith could replace the old equipment entirely.

A deadbolt is the best option for exterior doors. Instead of opening with a spring mechanism, a key must be placed in the cylinder to slide the bolt out of the door frame. Also, by installing electronic locks, you can type in a code to gain entry. This eliminates the risk of keys ending up in the wrong hands.

Whether you want to get the locks changed or need repair and key replacement services, the locksmiths at Cohen's Key Shop in New Haven County, CT, are available to help. These locksmiths have provided prompt service since 1897. For door lock repair, installations, and additional services, call (203) 397-3528. Learn more online, and follow them on Facebook for updates.