Once you finally recover from the time change, and as soon as Mother Nature decides to bring on the warmer weather, you’ll want to take advantage of all that spring has to offer. The increased daylight and beautiful weather means more time spent at the park, or at outdoor concerts, or dining al fresco at our great St. Louis restaurants. Before you start spending more time out of the house be sure to follow these tips for getting your home safe and secure in spring:
- Increase lighting: Make use of the spring sunlight by placing solar lights along walkways and around landscaping features to accentuate your yard and keep things well lit. Install motion detection lights in areas of the yard that may be dark—above the garage and behind storage sheds are places to consider. Turn on a few indoor lights when you go out to keep the inside of your home illuminated—you can set a timer so they turn on automatically, or turn them on remotely with your security system.
- Check your smoke alarm: The first day of each new season is a great time check your smoke alarm. If your carbon monoxide detector is a separate unit, check that system, too. Make sure the alarm is functioning correctly by using the text button. If the alarm doesn’t work, or the volume is faint, change the batteries and retest. Remember to set your smartphone security system to receive texts or calls in case your smoke alarm is triggered.
Inspect your windows: The winter elements like ice, rain, and wind can cause window glass to contract. When the weather gets warmer, the glass can expand and crack. Check each window in your home to be sure that it is not damaged. Windows may need caulking and weather stripping after a cold winter—keep your windows closing properly to make it more difficult for robbers to pry them open.
- Tend to your plants: The plants in your yard will be in full spring bloom in no time. Hire a tree trimming service to cut trees back from the house—you don’t want burglars to use them like ladders. Plant shrubs below ground-floor windows. The bushes will make it more difficult for thieves to break in through the windows. Keep your lawn mowed and well maintained so that people casing your neighborhood know you’re home. A lawn in disrepair can be a signal that the homeowner is out of town or on vacation. For more ways you can use your lawn to increase security, check out our blog on Using Your Yard to Deter Burglars.
- Spring clean: Use tax season as an excuse to go through your files. Take the time to shred paperwork that contains personal information. Transfer other important documents to a fireproof safe.
- Enjoy Spring Break and weekend getaways: Get out of your house and enjoy yourself. Being cooped up all winter long is no fun. When you go out of town, don’t leave valuables out or visible through windows. Close any curtains you have. Don’t announce that you’re gone on your social media pages. Do ask a trusted neighbor or friend to keep an eye out for anything suspicious. And for total peace of mind while you’re soaking in the spring, install a security system.
Contact the security system experts at Butler Durrell to find out more about how we can help you protect your home this spring.
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