8 home security New Year’s resolutions

First Posted: January 1st 2023

Last Updated: 20th December 2024

8 home security New Year’s resolutions

We’re all familiar with the classic New Year’s resolutions, from giving up chocolate to improving your finances, but have you ever thought of adding home security resolutions to your list? 

Home security should already be a priority, but there’s no better time than the new year to take some time to review your current protective methods and consider how you can optimise these. This way, you can ensure a safer year for you, your family and your home.

Not sure where to start? Here are our top 8 home security New Year's resolutions we think you should add to your list this December 31st.  

What is a New Year’s resolution? 

Before we jump straight into our home security resolution recommendations, let’s first double-check that you know what a New Year’s resolution is. 

A New Year's resolution is a personal goal or commitment made at the start of a new year to improve your life in some way. Often, people set resolutions like adopting healthier habits, improving relationships, managing finances better, or learning new skills, though a New Year’s resolution can be anything that you feel you need to get better at and want to make a conscious effort to do so - including your attitudes and routine when it comes to home security.

1. Invest in a home security system 

If you want to improve your home’s security in an instant this new year, then investing in a home security system is the way to go - unless you’ve already been gifted one of our shiny gadgets for Christmas, of course. 

The key is to opt for an all-encompassing, high-quality, and long-lasting system that removes any security risks. This will not only ensure that your valuables are protected, but that you can go into the new year knowing that your home and loved ones are safe and secure all year round. Our various home security packages can be customised to your heart’s content, and remote operation enables you to control your system around the clock - regardless of where you are. 

Install indoor and outdoor security cameras

To avoid missing any blindspots, it’s best to install both outdoor security cameras and indoor security cameras, which will keep a constant eye on your property when you can’t be there to. The high-definition footage can be viewed from the comfort of your mobile phone, via our SimpliSafe app, and you’ll receive a notification if any movement is detected. 

Add additional alarm sensors 

From entry sensors to motion sensors, our range has everything you need to guarantee your home’s protection all year round. Every entrance and exit, from top to bottom, can be covered - including your doors and windows. 

Opt for professional monitoring 

For extra peace of mind this new year, why not add a 24/7 professional monitoring service to your home security system? No matter where you are or what you’re doing, should your system be triggered, you can rest assured that the monitoring team will keep a close watch on your home - and request police presence should a threat be verified. 

2. Keep all entrances to your home locked

This new year, each time you leave the house, and even when you’re inside the home, make sure that all possible entrances are securely locked. 

Burglars have many techniques that don’t always mean breaking in through the front door - in many instances, they’ll slip through an open window instead. However, the front door is usually one of the most common break-in points. Get into the habit of double, if not triple, checking that you’re not unintentionally inviting intruders into your home. 

3. Opt for motion-activated lights

Another way to improve your home’s security in the new year is to install motion-activated lights - especially porch light security. These are the type of outdoor lights that will come on automatically when movement is detected outside your home. 

Not only will this make it easier, and safer, for you when coming home on a dark night, but it’ll also act as a burglar deterrent, too. It’s no surprise that burglars prefer dark settings where they can go about their crimes unseen, which is why it’s important to enhance lighting and remove blind spots wherever possible. 

4. Hide your valuables 

After the festive season, you may have one or two new valuables inside your home - and burglars may be counting on it. From shiny new jewellery to brand new flat screen tvs, it’s important to hide your valuables out of sight from prying eyes. 

Keep your valuables away from windows and doors, and dispose of any packaging appropriately - either in your bin on collection day or taking them straight to a recycling centre. You may also want to use this time to add on your new valuables to your home insurance, to ensure they’re protected should the worst happen. 

5. Shred important documents

We’re all guilty of keeping important documents hanging around the house or casually throwing them away, such as bank statements, old IDs, and anything else that may have your personal or financial details on them. However, should these fall into the wrong hands, you could be at risk of identity or financial fraud. 

This new year, invest in a paper shredder to shred all important documents that you do not need anymore. Once shredded, you should dispose of these correctly - either in the bin on collection day or taking them directly to a recycling centre. Whilst shredded documents could be put back together, burglars probably won’t want to be rummaging through your bins trying to find all the puzzle pieces to your personal data. 

6. Prepare an emergency security plan

Your family’s safety is not simply reliant on your knowledge, but on their own, too. When they’re old enough, teach your children about the importance of home security, and inform them of what to do in an emergency. Depending on age, this could be done through simple talk or educational home activities around home security - and the Christmas and New Year break may be the perfect time to do so. 

Once you’ve had those conversations, prepare an emergency security plan and share it with all those in the home. This should tell them where to go, what to do, and who to call. It’s vital to act quickly in these scenarios. Even if you’re doubtful that they’ll actually happen, keeping everyone in the loop is another way to ensure everyone’s safety. 

As part of your emergency security plan, your family may feel more secure by keeping a panic button inside the home. This can be used in emergencies to alert your professional monitoring services, and ultimately the emergency services, that your family needs immediate help. 

7. Tidy up your home’s exterior 

Boosting your home’s aesthetic may already be a New Year’s resolution on your list, but did you know that doing this can also benefit your home security? 

As mentioned earlier, burglars would rather operate in dimly lit, shielded areas that prevent the possibility of them being seen. So, tidying up your home’s exterior - whether that’s trimming back bushes or clearing away garden furniture - will help to reduce the number of hiding places burglars could use. Our guide to garden security will give you a list of everything to sort.

8. Set up a neighbourhood watch group

Burglaries will often occur in heavily populated areas, making it beneficial for neighbours to join forces and involve themselves in a neighbourhood watch group. 

Whether this is setting up a group Facebook page or WhatsApp group for local residents, if you don’t have a neighbourhood watch group already, why not create one yourself this new year? This way, you can share news of any recent break-ins, or if a burglar has targeted multiple homes, you can develop a case with numerous pieces of evidence. 

Alternatively, if there’s already one set up in your area, why not join your local Neighbourhood Watch scheme - a community-based program where neighbours work together to enhance the security of their area. Members keep an eye out for suspicious activities, share safety tips, and often partner with local law enforcement to prevent crime. It’s a collaborative approach that aims to make communities safer by fostering awareness, communication, and mutual support among residents.

Make home security your resolution for the new year with the help of SimpliSafe. Find out more about our home security systems today by contacting a member of our helpful team today, or explore more resources on our blog.