Smart and Secure: Investing in Home Security in This Pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic has dramatically affected the dynamics of most households; most parents have now shifted to the work-from-home setup. Kids have now resorted to online learning. With the family stuck inside the house 24/7 comes the greater need to ensure that the household is safe from hazards and crimes.

Home Burglaries: More Common Than You Think

Recent studies show that, on average, over one million burglaries are recorded in the United States every year. Most of these incidents happened between 10 a.m to 3 p.m, with the burglars probably assuming that most families were out during the day. A study also shows that 75% of households don't have a home security system, increasing the risks of home break-ins.

This year, home burglaries dropped to 24%, with more people staying at home. However, just because more people are at home doesn't mean it's safe. Burglars even choose crowded and less suspicious areas as their targets. No one knows when burglars would attack.

If you live in a fast-growing state such as Utah, it is essential to keep your house secured. You can do this by investing in home security. Inspect your house and see what areas need to be repaired or new features to be installed.

Be sure to keep the following in your Home Security Checklist:

1. Security Doors

Steel security doors are proven to be more robust than wooden and plastic doors, which are more prone to moisture and corrosion. Equip this with a multi-point locking system with anti-bump and anti-drill features for better protection.

You may also opt to install digital locks, which are time-sensitive. It will not only prevent you from losing your keys. It will also allow you to set PIN codes that are valid only within a specific period. Depending on the lock features, steel doors with multiple lock systems cost about $1000 to $1500.

If you are on a tight budget, you may want to upgrade your garage doors instead of a complete installation. Check for faulty rollers, defective gears, crooked doors, and damaged panels. Panel replacement is usually less expensive than replacing the entire garage door. Replacing garage door panels usually costs $100 to $1000, depending on the repair.

2. Smart Doorbells

You may also want to install an intelligent doorbell at your front door. This does not only alert you when a person is at your door. Equipped with a camera, it also allows you to communicate with people clearly before allowing them to enter. This also comes with motion sensors to monitor proximity. This intelligent doorbell comes in handy, especially now that deliveries are typical in this pandemic.

Smart doorbells range from $100 to $300, depending on the features.

3. Security Cameras

Installing home security cameras is becoming common in households. It will not only keep you from burglars but will also detect smoke, fire, and other potential risks to your home. Self-monitoring technology such as security cameras is convenient. With just a few clicks from your smartphone, you can monitor all corners of your home. 

With the advancement of technology, some high-end security cameras now produce images in 1080p and 4k Ultra HD resolution. This allows for sharper and clearer images that will be crucial in solving burglar incidents. These cameras also offer more storage to accommodate high-resolution photos. Some home security systems have live monitoring security guards that will talk to and warn perpetrators. 

There are also service providers that offer professional monitoring. In case of emergency, the monitoring center will advise emergency services and other vital agencies should you be away or asleep.

However, not all security systems operate should the electricity go down. You may want to check systems that have an extra battery. Some providers also offer cellular radios for communication purposes so that you wouldn't have to depend on a Wi-Fi connection.

The base price of security systems is $300 to $500. Monthly fees could go from $10 to $50, depending on the features and services availed.

4. Smart Lights

Smart lights will keep potential blind spots at your home well-lit without the need to manually turn them on or off. They are equipped with motion sensors and can be controlled through a mobile app and voice command. Smart lights are less expensive, with a single bulb usually priced at $30 to $50.

No Time to Be Complacent

Investing in home security may be a bit costly for most households. But it is a crucial need, especially these days when the rest of the family is at home day and night. Our home is our safest haven during this pandemic. We should not only make sure our families are protected from the virus. We should also make sure they are protected from harm.