Top 5 Security Features to Consider Before Buying a House


security features for homes

May 30, 2022

Your home is meant to be your safe space, a place where you can relax and de-stress. However, it is important to ensure that your home is secure from any outside intruders, and unforeseen accidents or natural disasters. One needs to remember that the threat might not always be a burglar. Rather, it could be a bunch of avoidable incidents such as a gas leak or a childproofing issue that can threaten your home’s safety. Often the best real estate builders will ensure that the basic security and surveillance essentials for a house are in place. That said, not all homes offer the essential security features that are required to allow you a good night’s sleep. Moreover, modern technology is constantly innovating enhanced security solutions that you may not always be aware of. If you are looking to buy a new house, it can help to scrutinise its available safety components and understand the scope of updating them. Here are some security features that you should consider having in place before moving in:

The Location of Your Home Matters

When you are on the hunt for a new house, you must look into your preferred locality’s crime statistics. You don’t want your home to be located in an area that has a history of frequent crime such as break-ins, thefts, or something worse. Apart from that, check the surroundings for well-paved roads, surveillance cameras, and sufficient street lighting. A locality on a busy street with plenty of natural surveillance, and perhaps a police station nearby can be an ideal fit for your house. Experts also recommend looking out for narrow streets and alleyways in the surrounding area that could encourage potential crime. That said, exclusive gated communities in Goa, such as those built by Rainforest Estates, are best in this regard as they offer all essential amenities within the safety of a surveilled locality and a handpicked community.

Installation of Surveillance 

Surveillance cameras go a long way in keeping crimes such as break-ins at bay while offering you and your family an assurance of safety. In case of unforeseen break-ins, the cameras will immediately help you identify the intruder. At the same time, burglars will likely not engage in theft in the first place out of fear of being detected. However, it is crucial to not leave any blind spots when you are installing cameras in your home. Ideally, placing them at all the potential entrances of the house is the best way to go about it. Surveillance cameras can be further upgraded with night vision, motion detection (camera records only when it detects motion), and even thermal screening (detects heat signals). What kind of camera you pick will ultimately depend on your budget and needs. Read about some mistakes when it comes to buying a new luxury home.

Functional Smoke Alarms and Gas Leak Detectors

Your home needs to be protected not just from external intrusions, but from internal accidents as well. A gas leak or a fire, for instance, can be just as destructive and damaging. If you are an urban family with strict schedules and not much time to spend at home, a gas leak could easily evade your notice. A smoke alarm or a gas leak detector can ensure that you are alerted of a fire or a gas leak within seconds of detection. This way you can prevent the threatening situation from escalating excessively. Apart from that, smoke alarms also come with water sprinklers or other methods of suppressing fires that can prevent them from spreading. 

Motion Sensor Technology and Alert Systems

Motion sensor technology beautifully complements your other surveillance systems to efficiently detect unauthorised intrusions into your home. For instance, motion-activated lights can work as effective deterrents to most burglars since they fear being detected by the owner or a neighbour. Another recommended installation would be the aforementioned motion sensor cameras. These work well in conjunction with other security components like alarms or alert systems. While alarms might be trickier to link with motion sensor components, emergency alerts work like a charm. These devices can send quick updates to you and your emergency contacts in case of a break-in, a gas leak, or even a fire. The system can be especially helpful when you are on vacation or away from your home for a long time. You can assign a backup contact who can ensure everything is in place even when you are not around.

Outdoor Security

Most times, homeowners tend to look past their home’s outdoor security features. Yes, a surveillance camera and sensory lights are crucial, but your home’s landscaping serves as an additional security barrier too. The first step would be to install a robust fence and locked gate to create a barrier with the outside and allow some privacy as well. Apart from that, you can also ensure that there is no dry vegetation around your home that could pose a fire risk. Furthermore, pests and other insects pose a safety risk to your home too. Fumigating your garden, weatherproofing your doors and windows, and keeping your garden in check is also important. Lastly, childproofing any risky elements within and without your homes, such as the pool or the garage can further help secure your living space.

Ensuring your locality is crime-free and your home’s surveillance systems are in order is just as important as keeping an eye for accidents and natural disasters. For instance, if you are in an earthquake-prone area, ask around for prevention measures and emergency solutions in case of a seismic event. Most Goan homes have sloping roofs and lightning detectors to tackle the heavy and aggressive monsoons. Your home’s security is in your hands and it is crucial to address and assess all and any concerns before you move into a new place with your loved ones.