How to Make Your Home More Secure for Your Family

You need to feel safe inside your home. Increase home security to ward off or deter anyone or anything from harming your family with a few practical ways.

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Your home has a chance of being targeted by criminals at any given moment wherever you live in the US. According to the FBI, a burglary happens once every 26 seconds, which accumulates to over 3,300 burglaries every day. And if burglars aren’t your cause for worry, there are also trespassers, people who simply destroy property for the thrill of it, and other types of criminals that could harm you and your family in the comfort of your home.

When you’re at home with your family, you don’t want to worry about these threats every moment. But you might not be able to relax, bond with your partner and binge-watch Disney princess movies in order with your daughters or sons when you’re thinking about your home security every waking moment. In this case, it’s best to follow at least one of these three ways to beef up your home security for some peace of mind.

Invest in Strong Door Locks

The first line of defense for nearly all houses are the locks on your doors. Your front door is the easiest point of entry, so intruders will first try to see how easy it is to break in through the front door. If you move into a home that was previously occupied, replace the locks as soon as possible. Not only is it a risk that they could still have a key to your home, but the door and window locks may be old and worn.

Your deadbolt should be your first line of defense when guarding your door, according to security professionals. Do not buy cheap or discounted deadbolts, and instead choose heavy-duty locks that will make it difficult for intruders to kick in. If your door has glass panels around it, do not use a single-cylinder deadbolt as burglars can easily break the glass and reach the deadbolt latch. Instead, use a double-cylinder deadbolt as it will require a key. If possible, use at least 3-inch screws to install the strike plates as it can make your door more difficult to kick down.

Use Motion-Sensing Outdoor Lights

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Whether you buy a home in Tucson or any city in Arizona, night time will always be a vulnerable time for your home. Plenty of intruders will try to use the cover of darkness to their advantage to scope your property, watch your movement, and break in. Your porch or backyard light can protect your doors. But your windows and the other outdoor parts of your home can be prone to intruders.

Motion-sensing outdoor lights offer a layer of security. Rather than having lights around your house open the entire night, motion sensor lights will only light up when something big enough (like a person) triggers the sensors. This can catch your attention or the attention of neighbors who may spot the intruder and contact authorities for you. 

Always Look Like There’s an Adult Home

Never give the appearance that no one’s home. Those looking to enter and take your property will use this to their advantage. You can do this in many ways: for starters, always park your car inside your garage as the presence (or absence) of your car on the street or driveway is a dead giveaway that someone’s home. Always leave at least one indoor light on and an outdoor light if no one will be present overnight. If possible, install smart tech in your home that can allow you to toggle the lights even from far away.

And no matter how responsible your younger children may be, never make it clear that they’re alone at home. Some children can be taught not to let strangers inside your home, but many children may not know what to do when intruders try the brute force method.

You may not need a high-end security system to protect your property and family. For most situations, an affordable and practical system works, giving you and your loved ones some peace of mind.

5 Tips for Designing Your Dream Kitchen

If you're a fan of cooking shows like "Hell's Kitchen," "Chopped," or "Top Chef," you may find yourself dreaming of the day when you can renovate your kitchen. Designing a new kitchen comes with a lot of decisions to be made since at every step of the process you'll need to weigh the cost of each choice against aesthetics and functionality. These five tips will help you make the most of your budget and renovation, offering you the kitchen you've always wanted at a price you can afford.

Make sure you're ready—financially, that is


Before committing to any major home project, it's important to take a look at your finances to be certain that you have enough money to perform the work yourself or pay a contractor. Regardless of who's going to be performing the work, you'll want to make sure you've accounted for any potential surprises—if you've seen those reality shows where people flip houses only to discover mold, termites, or dry rot, you'll definitely know why. A good rule of thumb for budgeting for contract work is to add about 10 percent to their initial estimate, while a cushion of 20 or even 30 percent may be necessary if you're taking a DIY approach.

Once you've determined how much you'll need for your project, it's time to fill out your home loan application in order to refinance and tap into existing equity in your home. The application process will require you to provide proof of income as well as an overview of your existing loans and expenses. In order for your refinance loan to be approved as quickly as possible, be sure to stay current on all other credit card payments and other bills to illustrate your trustworthiness to your new lender.

Wow your visitors with perfect cabinetry


Perhaps the most important choice you'll make when designing your ideal kitchen comes down to the cabinet style you choose. Beyond storing dishware, glasses, and food, your kitchen cabinets have a vital role to play in the overall direction the design of your kitchen takes, too. From wall cabinets to cabinets underneath your countertop, the wood grain and finish of your cabinetry is similar to paint color in another room, as it takes up the most visual space in any kitchen.

Once you've settled on a finish and style of cabinet, you'll want to think about the different kinds of customizations that will really make using your kitchen each day a dream. For example, if you hate the sound of noisy cabinet doors shutting, soft-close hinges for doors and under-mount glides for drawers are definitely worth investing in. Another helpful feature is opting for an easy-to-clean material for the interior of your cabinets such as melamine. If you're worried about getting lost in the details, a company like Polaris Home Design can assist you in choosing the best features for your needs and budget.

Pick countertops for durability before looks


While everyone thinks that marble makes the best countertop style, it's always a good idea to look at other options, too. For example, quartz provides an equally-durable option and looks just as elegant, as do granite and travertine. If you're looking for an accent material for a wet bar or island that won't be used as often as other parts of your kitchen, onyx can provide a striking statement to any kitchen. Although it isn't as durable as some of your other options, for renovators who love a bit of flair it's a beautiful choice.

Invest in appliances that'll last


When upgrading items like your refrigerator, oven, or microwave, durability and style are both two important facets to consider. The last thing you want to have to do is repair or replace an oven every few years because you've chosen a bad brand. Some of the top brands to consider include LG, Whirlpool, Sub-Zero, Philips, and Samsung, among others. Marketwatch has broken down a variety of brands' strengths and weaknesses so that it's easy to do your own research based on what features and functionality you're looking at.

Don't forget your backsplash!


While your countertops, tile, and cabinetry provide the most color in any kitchen, that isn't to say you can't add a pop of color with a backsplash, too. Often, a backsplash can become another focal point in your kitchen, perhaps in a color that ties in with your colorful Le Creuset pots or pans or Fiestaware dishes. Beyond adding to your kitchen's style, a backsplash also protects your wall near the sink and oven, where water and other liquids may otherwise damage or stain the material.