Worried about keeping your family safe at home?
You are not alone. Residential break-ins occur more frequently than you may think. The unfortunate reality is that most homes have vulnerabilities you may not know about.
The good news?
You don’t have to break the bank to keep your house safe. Simple trades around the house can make you feel like a million bucks.
And the best part is…
Most of these improvements can be made instantly. They don’t need a contractor, a huge budget or weeks of inconvenience.
This blog covers easy safety swaps that will help turn your family home into a safer place. Read on…
Here’s what’s coming up:
- Why Home Safety Swaps Matter
- The Easy Door & Window Upgrades
- Smart Lighting Swaps
- Safety Habits Worth Building
- Small Changes With Big Impact
Why Home Safety Swaps Matter
Home safety doesn’t always mean installing high tech gadgets. There are little things that you can do each day that all add up.
Let’s get real:
New ABS statistics revealed 1.8% of Australians had their house broken into in 2024-25. That means almost 200,000 households were burglarised last year.
And it gets worse…
Most of these break-ins occur in under five minutes. Five minutes isn’t long enough to boil water for tea.
However, there is a silver lining. Burglars are far more likely to skip houses that appear securely locked down. That’s where security doors come in. They’re one of the best investments you can make for your family home. Security doors make both the front and back entrances of your property tougher to penetrate. That alone can deter the majority of opportunistic break-ins.
Other benefits of making safety swaps include:
- Lower insurance premiums
- Better peace of mind
- Higher resale value
- Less worry when you’re away from home
It really is a win-win.
The Easy Door & Window Upgrades
Doors and windows are how people enter your home. Therefore most of your security upgrades should begin here.
Because 34% of burglars enter through the front door. Yep. Front door. Not a back window. Not the skylight on your roof.
Want to lock things down? Here are the swaps to focus on:
Swap Old Locks For Deadbolts
Standard locks are easy to pick. Deadbolts are not.
Installing a heavy duty deadbolt prevents burglars from easily breaking into your door. Ensure that your deadbolt includes a strike plate with extended screws as well. This prevents someone from kicking the door in with one forceful kick.
Add Window Locks
Most windows only have simple latches that can easily be sprung open. Installing proper window locks is an inexpensive solution that only takes a few minutes.
Pay attention to ground-floor windows first. They’re the most accessible to anyone who wants to break in.
Reinforce Sliding Doors
Sliding doors are a weak point. A bar in the track keeps them from being forced open.
It’s available at any hardware store for less than $20. (You’ll regret not doing this sooner.)
Smart Lighting Swaps
Burglars hate two things… Being seen and being heard.
Bright lights take care of number one. Bright homes are far less attractive since there is no darkness burglars like to hide behind.
Here are the lighting swaps every family home could benefit from:
- Motion sensor lights at the front door, back door and side gates
- Timer plugs for indoor lamps when you’re away on holiday
- Smart bulbs you can control from your phone
- Path lighting so dark corners disappear at night
Lights deter burglars… They also prevent falls. Good for your children and your grandparents.
Safety Habits Worth Building
Even the safest substitutions are useless if you don’t remember to use them. Developing proper habits is equally important.
Here are a few simple ones to start.
Lock Up Every Time
Sounds obvious, right?
However, many burglaries occur with an unlocked door. Develop a household habit of verifying locks before bedtime and exiting.
Don’t Post Your Holidays Online
Posting holiday pictures as they happen is essentially yelling, “come over!” Post them when you get home.
Keep Valuables Out Of Sight
Automobiles, laptops and bicycles visible through a window invite trouble. Hide them away or draw the blinds when you leave.
Get To Know Your Neighbours
Your neighbour watching your property when you’re on holiday is one of the easiest (and free) safety upgrades you can do. A friendly conversation across the fence can mean everything.
Small Changes With Big Impact
Now for a few small changes that will have a big impact. They don’t cost much but improve your home safety greatly.
Smoke alarms in every bedroom. Having one in the hallway isn’t enough. Smoke alarms in every bedroom allow your family extra time to escape if a fire occurs during the night.
Non-slip mats for the bathroom. Falls in the bathroom are one of the most common household accidents, particularly among elderly relatives and young children. Buy non-slip mats. They’re a little investment that can make a big difference.
Locks for medicine cabinet. Medicines, cleaners, knives should be secured away if you have small children. Simple plastic cabinet locks work great.
A mini fire extinguisher for the kitchen. The kitchen is where most house fires begin. Having a small fire extinguisher close by can put out a small flame before it becomes a larger tragedy.
A basic first aid kit. Include bandages, antibiotic ointment, pain relievers and tweezers. Replace anything used or expired every six months.
Each of these on their own seems pretty small. But together?
They make your home one of the safest on the street.
Bringing It All Together
Home safety doesn’t have to be difficult or expensive. Simple solutions are often the best:
- Upgrade your doors and windows
- Add better lighting around the property
- Build smart safety habits
- Make small daily changes that add up over time
You don’t have to swap everything today. Make one swap this weekend… Then another next month.
Cumulatively, these small things add up to a home that is much safer, more secure and far less attractive to those with malicious intent. Protecting your family is time well spent.
Choose a plan and enroll today for the convenience and peace of mind that comes with knowing you have the right coverage for your home.