The new year is a perfect time to take a critical look at your home to ensure it is providing a safe and secure environment for your family. Technology allows for so many improvements in safety and security, but it does require some regular maintenance, and new tools are constantly brought to market. Check out this simple list below to make sure your home has everything it needs as you start the new year. 

1. Replace Smoke Detector Batteries

 Smoke detectors are one of the most effective forms of insurance you can have for your home, and it is vital that they be working properly in the event that they are needed. Because a house fire can seem like such an unlikely occurrence maintaining smoke detectors can easily fall down the “To-Do” list, but those batteries are there for a reason. In the event of a power outage, which a fire could easily cause, it is vital that your insurance from fire be ready to work for you. If replacing those batteries isn’t something you can do on your own, consider allowing BRAVAS to do so as a part of a BRAVAS Support Plan, so you never have to think about it again.

2. Clean Surveillance Cameras

Surveillance cameras aren’t just great for security, they help keep you informed of what is happening around your home day and night. With a BRAVAS surveillance systems you can access your video from your phone, tablet, touchpanels, and even TVs. But having the cameras available to you isn’t nearly as useful if the image is bad. Over time camera lenses get dirty, get bumped or even have plants grow in front of them. A good yearly practice is to have your cameras cleaned, adjusted and re-aimed to ensure you are covering the parts of your home that bring you the most value.

3. Add leak detection

 While we don’t think of leaks as a safety concern, they are one of the largest drivers of home insurance claims, and even worse, out of pocket repair expenses. While most homeowner’s insurance policies cover water damage, the frustration and impact that a leak can cause can be avoided. BRAVAS can install simple sensors that detect the presence of water, and a shut-off valve that automatically cuts the flow of water to the home when a leak is detected. When combined with a smart home control system you may even be able to receive real-time notification in the event you are away from home when the leak occurs.

4. Night Lights

Night lights aren’t just for kids who are scared of the dark, but we admit that most traditional night lights are pretty tacky. However, a well-designed lighting system can provide the ability to move safely around your home in the dark, without requiring cheap plug-in night lights hanging from your outlets. If BRAVAS is working on a new home design we will incorporate lights just for night-lighting, but even with your existing lights there may be smart ways we can help you navigate your home safely, without blinding you in the event you need to move around your home at night.

5. Landscape Lighting

Landscape lighting is one of the best safety AND security features you can add to a home. A well lit home is a significant deterrent for criminals, as it makes it harder for them to work in secret. With good lighting we can ensure there is no good place to hide, and when we also design the surveillance system we can provide optimal coverage. Landscape lighting can also improve the safety of your home, by shining light on potential trip and fall hazards.

If you want to start your year by making your home a safer place for your family, we would love to talk to you. Some of these services are even included in our support plans, so contact us today to find out how we can make your life easier, and your home safer.