8 Budget-Friendly Home Safety Upgrades for New Homeowners
Purchasing your home took time and money. The last thing you need after a big move is an emergency resulting in property damage or costly repairs. If you’re on a budget and can’t install a security camera system, don’t worry. You can always try these budget-friendly home safety upgrades to protect your loved ones, property and belongings.
1. Install Deadbolt Locks
Research shows burglaries occur every 25.7 seconds in the U.S. Although thieves can break into homes in numerous ways, they may attempt to kick in a door if you don’t have a deadbolt. The simple lock in the main handle won’t resist a hard kick, but a deadbolt has a strong steel bar that’s much stronger.
Find a deadbolt that matches your door handles and a hole saw. Follow the directions on your deadbolt packaging to install it in minutes. Thieves are less likely to break in successfully if every exterior door on your home has this kind of security.
2. Invest in Window Sensors
Security cameras provide a sense of safety, but they’re also costly. Sensors are an alternative option for just a few dollars each. When you place them on your windows, a magnetic circuit keeps both sensor halves attached to your window frame. When someone opens the window, the magnets separate. It stops the electric flow inside the sensor’s circuit, triggering a loud alarm.
This home safety upgrade won’t necessarily keep people out of your home, but it might scare off intruders. You’ll also get an immediate alert if someone’s breaking in while you’re sleeping or across the house.
3. Schedule Property Walks
Walking around your property is a budget-friendly home safety tip many homeowners overlook. The simple activity is a chance to look for leaning trees, dead branches above your home or overflowing gutters. Costly home damage occurs when these things linger.
Looking at your roof from all angles could also save significant amounts of money down the road. Keep an eye out for dark splotches and damaged roof shingles. This simple, free act will help you spot potential damage annually and after storms, which minimizes repair fees. You can also schedule professional roof inspections if your roof is older or your home is too tall to inspect from the ground.
4. Use Anti-Slip Rug Pads
Rugs are a common decor item in homes with bare floors. If you have tons of them around your house, consider putting anti-slip pads beneath them. Anyone running through the house or walking quickly becomes automatically safer. The rugs will stay in place, so fall risks aren’t an issue. It’s an especially crucial idea if you live with older family members who could get more drastically hurt if they fall.
5. Place Mesh Nets in Your Air Vents
Bugs aren’t just an issue when you’re outside. Although you can make organic bug sprays that deter pests without chemicals, using pest products around your windows and doors may not be enough to keep your home safe.
Spiders, crickets and other small insects can crawl into your HVAC unit and through your ductwork. Your floor vents are open doorways for them to enjoy your heating, air conditioning and any crumbs left around your kitchen. Measure your vents and place mesh nets inside them. They’ll fit just beneath the vent grate to keep curious bugs out of your home and prevent costly infestations. Calling a pest exterminator to help you set up preventative barriers ensures that all potential access points are properly secured. Their expertise can also identify less obvious entryways that homeowners might miss on their own.
6. Place Felt Pads on Chairs
When someone pulls a chair away from your kitchen or dining room table, the legs can scratch your floors. Retain the quality of your new floors for only a few dollars by sticking felt pads on them. The pads slide across bare floors more easily so you don’t have to worry about scratching. The extra protection is even helpful when dragging a chair across the room to hang seasonal or birthday decorations.
7. Start Using Surge Protectors
Power strips are standard items in households. They maximize your electrical outlets with additional plugs for your TV, gaming and lighting needs. However, they don’t guard against power surges, which are more common than people realize.
When a surge happens, an increased voltage runs through every outlet in your home. The shock can damage your electrical devices and even start a fire by frying your home’s internal wiring. The National Electrical Manufacturers Association found that 60%-80% of surges start within homes or businesses, but a surge protector reduces the risk of that happening in your home.
These protectors look identical to power strips. You’ll gain all the extra outlets you need, but the packaging will indicate the product’s surge shielding abilities. When you have more financial resources in the future, you can also consider hiring an electrician to install a whole-home protector between your electrical meter and panel.
8. Consider Using a Package Box
Ordering products to your front door is easier to do than ever. Before purchasing something else on your favorite apps, consider putting a package box on your front porch or next to your mailbox to help stop porch pirates. Delivery crews will place your orders inside them instead of leaving them exposed by your front door. The box automatically locks when closed. Porch pirates won’t be able see what you’ve ordered or if there is anything inside the package box, decreasing the chance of anyone stealing your deliveries.
Consider These Budget-Friendly Home Safety Upgrades
You don’t need to afford costly security cameras to protect your home. Use these home safety upgrade ideas to make budget-friendly changes to your new house. You’ll save your loved ones and belongings without breaking the bank, giving you the peace of mind you deserve.
