Raise the drawbridge: Protecting your castle

A safe and secure home is a top priority for every homeowner. Increasing security concerns make it even more important to protect your home from external threats. Using a combination of physical, technological, and behavioral approaches, you can better fortify your home from being targeted. Let’s explore some home security methods to help protect your property, valuables, and loved ones.

Establish boundaries. Creating a strong physical barrier around your property is the most obvious start to home security, and this starts with installing sturdy fences or walls. Height of the barriers, and optional features like barbed wire and angled tops deter intruders, both human and animal. Additionally, consider adding motion-activated lighting to illuminate any activity that happens. Well-maintained landscaping can also act as a deterrent by eliminating potential hiding spots near windows and entrances.

Invest in a reliable security system to protect your home. Modern security systems provide a range of features including surveillance cameras, motion sensors, door/window sensors, and alarms. Ensure that your security system integrates with mobile devices, allowing you to monitor your home remotely. For this, you will want a system that connects to your home’s Wi-Fi or that is wired to a DVR that is hooked to a router. Many systems also offer monitoring services which dispatch authorities in case of emergencies. Remember to prominently display signs and stickers indicating that your home is protected by a security system, acting as a deterrent to potential intruders. Make sure to get one with night vision (infrared) capabilities.

The resolution of the cameras is critical to their success and eligibility for use as evidence in court. The numbers stand for pixels in the screen; the higher, the better. 1080P is the absolute minimum that want, but 4K (which means approximately 4000P) and higher is the best choice on the market. 4K systems are the upper end of resolution that are still relatively affordable. Many stores with electronics sections sell plug-and-play systems, including local box stores like Fred Meyer and Walmart. Another option is to contract a local contractor to install it for you, many of which can be found in phonebook, via a web search, or on social media. 720p and lower quality are fine for indoors but will not provide quality images or video for anything outside.

Doors and windows need to be secured to prevent unauthorized access. Reinforce doors with solid core materials, deadbolt locks, and strike plates. Consider installing a peephole or video doorbell to identify visitors before opening the door. Strengthen windows with laminated or tempered glass and install window locks or security films to deter forced entry. If you cannot afford to upgrade older windows with lockable ones, a simple bar of wood that can pin the window closed is adequate. Reinforce sliding doors with bars or dowels to prevent them from being forced open. Regularly inspect and maintain all entry points to ensure their effectiveness. Doorbell cameras are wonderful tools, especially if you have a wireless network that allows you to monitor them remotely. They can provide video and photos of suspicious acts and allow you to answer a person ringing the bell and provide the illusion of being home while politely declining the visit.

Smart home technology can significantly enhance home security, too. Google, Amazon, Apple, Nest, and many more companies provide “smart home” systems that allow you to control lights, appliances, and security systems remotely, giving the impression that someone is always home. You can set up schedules for lights and electronics, creating activity even when you're away. Remote monitoring sets you up to keep an eye on your property through surveillance cameras and receive real-time alerts on your smartphone. There are even smart locks that allow the convenience of remote access control if you want to unlock a door for a friend or loved one without having to leave the door unlocked in your absence.

Just as important as hardening your home is building community and fostering relationships with neighbors. Join or initiate neighborhood watch programs to keep each other informed about any suspicious activities. While the Alaska State Troopers cannot provide funding or training, they can help connect coordinators with information and help give your group credibility by attending meetings. Exchange contact information with trusted neighbors to notify each other of any unusual occurrences when someone is away. Set up text groups or social medic chat groups to give real-time updates to members. Encourage the reporting of suspicious activity to local law enforcement. Open curtains and trimmed vegetation also promote the idea that the neighborhood is alert and security-conscious, and makes the whole area less appealing to thieves and burglars.

An often-unknown service offered by the Mat-Su Borough is to remove your name from their MyProperty public-facing database. This means a person trying to locate your residence with your name will be unable to find it on the Borough’s website. There are other methods, but they require more extensive research or physical visits to the Mat-Su Borough. But a simple search on the Borough’s property listings from their website will not bring up your property. To remove your name from the public MyProperty, go to https://www.matsugov.us/document/assessmentforms and click on Opt Out Form.

Christian M. Hartley is a 40-year Alaskan resident with over 25 years of public safety experience and public service. He runs a freelance business, Big Lake Writer, from home in Big Lake that he shares with his wife of 19 years and their three teenage sons.