Keep Homes Safe With Callen

Paulette Sodemann, senior Sales Design Consultant with Callen, provides homeowners with advice on how to keep their dwelling safe while they’re away.

“You don’t have to turn your home into Fort Knox to keep you and your family safe, just take these simple precautions to ensure your safety,” said Paulette.

The simple addition of timed lighting throughout the home can help keep your home safe from burglars. “Automatic light timers that turn on and off will simulate your normal patterns and appear as though you’re home,” Paulette said. “This will make a burglar less likely to attempt to enter your house.” She also recommends adding motion sensor and timed lighting to the outside of your home to keep up the illusion that you’re home.

The next step is to make sure your home is secure. “Every home should have a strong door with a durable lock and deadbolt to make it difficult for intruders to break in,” said Paulette. Even though it may be convenient, don’t hide a key to your home outside where it can be easily found.

“Another home security measure is to reinforce windows with an invisible security film, especially those windows that are on the ground floor and close to doors,” Paulette said. Windows should also remain locked at all times your family is gone. “Don’t forget to secure window air conditioning units with brackets and locks,” she said. “For sliding windows and doors, place a metal or wooden rod in the track to prevent them from sliding open.”

Make sure to secure the garage, especially if it’s connected to your home. “Don’t rely on the automatic door to keep intruders out,” Paulette said. “If you go on vacation, disconnect your automatic garage door opener and lock the external and internal doors as well.” Double check to make sure garage windows are properly locked and secured, too.

“To put your mind at ease while you’re away, get to know your neighbors and ask them to help out,” said Paulette. “Make it a point to get to know your neighbors and ask them to keep an eye out while you’re gone. It also helps to have a neighbor bring in your mail to make it appear as though you’re home.”

For more information or to arrange an initial Design Center consultation, call Callen at 414-529-5509.