Purchasing a new home can be a lot of fun. You get to decorate new spaces and explore a new neighborhood. However, there are a few not-so-fun tasks that you need to take care of as well.

Southbank Locksmith Services

Our Southbank Locksmith service, based in the City of Port Phillip in the Southbank area assists customers with locksmith services for apartment blocks and also help property managers with their Southbank properties.

We are often called out to properties located near the Crown Casino and businesses located on the banks of the Yarra in this popular inner city Melbourne location.  lockouts and also with general locksmith services.    Whether you’ve parked by the royal botanical gardens (“the tan”) or are visiting The Arts Centre, we have locksmiths ready to visit the southbank area to help.

10 Tips for securing your home

Along with unpacking your possessions and decorating, you should ensure that your new home is secure. Here are ten effective tips for improving the security of your home.

  1. Check the Security of the Windows

Windows provide a convenient entry point for potential burglars. An unlocked window is almost an open invitation to your home. If you want to start increasing the security of your property, begin with the windows.

Check the condition of every window, including the window latches. If you want to improve the security of the windows, consider installing sensors. Motion sensors or glass break sensors can be used independently or with a home security alarm system.

A low-cost option for increasing the security of the windows is to add window bars. The bar is cut to size and placed in the path of the panel, preventing it from opening.

  1. Double Check the Locks on Your Doors

When moving into a new home, you may spend a lot of time going in and out of the house. Between carrying packages and possessions in from the car, it is easy to forget to lock the doors. However, over a third of burglars enter through the front door.

Double check the locks on your doors and ensure that every exterior door has a deadbolt. If any of the locks appear loose, worn, or damaged, consider hiring a professional Southbank Locksmith to replace the locks.

In fact, some homeowners choose to replace or rekey the locks on all the exterior doors. With rekeying, the locksmith alters the lock to accept a new key, avoiding the need to install a new lock. However, this is not always an option, depending on the condition and type of lock.

You may also want to take advantage of the latest technology. You can now install video doorbells that provide a live video feed from your front door. These smart doorbells can even send an alert to your phone when motion is detected.

  1. Improve the Security of Your Garage

After checking the windows and doors, you may still have one more entry point to deal with. If you have a garage, keep the doors and windows secure, especially if the garage offers access to the rest of your house.

If you still have a manual garage door, consider upgrading to an electric door opener or install extra locks. You may also want to add shades or blinds to the garage windows and use tinted windows on the garage door. Shades, blinds, and tinted windows help keep prying eyes away.

  1. Keep Your Yard Fully Illuminated

Outdoor lighting is another essential home security solution. By keeping your yard illuminated or installing motion-activated lights, you can deter criminals from attempting to break into your home.

Motion-activated lights are especially distracting for would-be burglars. When installing these lights, try to cover the corners of your house along with exterior doors.

Along with porch lights, you can install lights in other areas of your yard. Placing lights to illuminate the driveway, porches, and patios helps create a safer barrier around your home.

  1. Get Rid of Any Hiding Spots

Placing shrubs and other plants near porches and exterior doors adds to the curb appeal of your landscape. However, these plants may also provide hiding spots for burglars.

For example, if you have shrubs next to your front windows, they may help hide the burglar while he or she tampers with your window. These hiding spots may also provide the perfect vantage point for a surprise attack when you approach the porch to unlock the front door.

Get rid of the hiding spots by keeping plants trimmed away from your house. You should avoid leaving items in the yard that may be used for entry in your home. For example, stools, ladders, and outdoor furniture may be used to climb to an upper-floor window.

  1. Install a Safe to Protect Valuables

Besides securing the exterior of your property, there are additional steps that you can take indoors, or that our Southbank Locksmith team can help with. With a safe, you can protect valuables in case a burglar does manage to get inside your home.

There are many types of safes available in a variety of sizes and designs. You can get floor safes, wall safes, and closet safes. There are also compact safes that are used for smaller items such as jewelry or important documents.

  1. Install a Home Security System

The next step is to secure your home with a complete security system. The most basic options include door sensors and a few window sensors. It is recommended that you add a window sensor to every ground-floor window and exterior door.

These systems typically require a monthly service fee. However, they also provide 24/7 monitoring. If your alarm goes off, the security service can immediately contact local emergency services.

  1. Install Security Cameras

The door and window sensors can provide moderate protection. If you want to boost the security system, you can add security cameras.  Our Southbank Locksmith team are ready to assist with these services if you need them.  These cameras may be available when you install your security system or you can install your own cameras.

There are many compact security cameras that include their own mobile applications for monitoring your video feed in real time. With the latest smart cameras, you can see what is happening at your home from any location. You can check up on your house while you are work or on vacation.

  1. Set up a Home Automation System

If you plan to install cameras, sensors, outdoor lighting, and a security system, you should think about setting up a home automation system.

These systems can be used to control and monitor all these security solutions and a growing list of other smart devices. There are even smart door locks, allowing you to check whether your doors are locked. You may even use two-way communication through a video doorbell to scare burglars away.

  1. Change Your WiFi Password

The smart solutions that you install, such as smart locks, sensors, and cameras, are less effective if your home WiFi network is not secure. Most of these devices connect to the home automation system or the mobile app through your local WiFi network.

When you first move into a home and set up your Internet services, your router or modem will likely have a default password. Always change the password to secure your network and your home.

If you need a Southbank Locksmith, don’t hesitate to contact us for regular or emergency 24/7 call outs.

What are best tips for securing your home?

1 – Checking your windows are locked
2 – Double check the locks on your doors
3 – Improve the security of your garage
4 – Illuminate your yard
5 – Remove hiding spots
6 – Install a safe
7 – Install a home security system
8 – Install security cameras
9 – Set up a Home Automation System
10 – Change your WiFi password