Your home is your sanctuary. It’s where you share life with the ones you love and create priceless memories. It’s only natural to want to make your special place and those that reside in it safe and secure.

While Pahlisch communities are designed with the utmost safety in mind, investing in home security is still vital. That’s why every Pahlisch home comes standard with a few key products that help enhance security. Because we know that every house we build is someone’s home, their sanctuary— and we want to help protect that.

So here’s a look at some of the products we use to secure every Pahlisch home, as well as a few tips you can use to keep your home safe.

Milgard Windows

Since 1958, Milgard has been producing precision-built and energy-efficient vinyl, aluminum, and fiberglass windows and patio doors. In some of our Pahlisch homes, we love using windows from Milgard’s V250 Style Line® series.

One great feature these windows offer is their Positive Action™ Lock (PAL). According to Milgard, the PAL “makes it easy to close and lock a window securely in one action, eliminating any guess work. The PAL lock meets California forced entry code, one of the toughest residential forced entry codes in the nation, making these windows both beautiful and secure.”

Windows can be a particularly vulnerable part of your home, especially if they aren’t fitted properly or don’t lock well. That’s why we always use reputable suppliers like Milgard. Whether asleep at home or away on vacation, you can rest confidently knowing your windows won’t budge should someone try to get in.

Kwikset Locks

Take a closer look at the lock on the front door the next time you walk into a friend’s house, and you’ll likely find the Kwikset logo. As a leading residential lock manufacturer, Kwikset has developed patented SmartKey deadbolts and other keyless entry locks.

One product we use in Pahlisch homes is their 270 SmartCode Contemporary Electronic Deadbolt. Its SmartKey Security™ “protects against advanced break-in techniques and allows you to re-key your lock yourself in seconds.” It also has multiple pre-defined auto-lock settings and comes in either a sleek satin nickel or smooth matte black. With a combination of looks and features, this lock checks a lot of boxes.

Whether your Pahlisch home comes with the 270 SmartCode or a similar lock, you can feel secure knowing your front door is outfitted with some of the best deadbolt technology available.

Smart Doorbells

Smart doorbells have exploded in popularity in recent years, and for good reason. With high-resolution cameras, motion alerts, and the ability to check in on things when you’re not at home, smart doorbells can be a great addition to your home security system.

Right now, smart doorbells and smart garage door openers are optional for all Pahlisch homes. They’re available as upgrades, or customers can choose to install their own after closing. Either way, they’re definitely worth considering.

Not sure where to start? Check out this article from Wirecutter, the product review site from The New York Times. They break down the pros and cons of some of the best smart doorbells on the market and give their top picks and recommendations.

5 Ways You Can Secure Your Home Right Now

If you’re not a Pahlisch homeowner but looking for ways to give your home a security boost, here are a few steps you can take right now to make your home safer.

Check all the door and window locks in your house.

Before you dive deep into researching high-end home security systems, let’s start with the basics. Do a sweep of your house and check that every door and window lock is in good working order. If you notice any issues, look into replacing those locks right away. For quick added security on a budget, consider using dowel rods in all windows and sliding doors. These are easily purchased at your local hardware store and can keep intruders from entering even if a lock is busted. Not a fan of the dowel rod? Another great alternative is purchasing a set of affordable window locks.

Install exterior surveillance cameras.

According to a study from UNC Charlotte that surveyed over 400 convicted offenders, the majority of burglars said that evidence of increased security — including the presence of exterior cameras — would deter them from choosing that house as a target. With the boom in home security tech in the last few years, installing cameras outside your home is easier than ever. Take a look at these cameras from top brands like Google, Ring, and Arlo. And managing your own home surveillance is super simple thanks to app-based home security systems. Each of the products linked above allow you to view camera footage and manage everything right from your phone.

Install outdoor motion sensor lights.

While they may not provide the same level of security as a video camera, motion sensor lights are still a cost-effective way to deter burglars and alert you or neighbors to suspicious activity outside your home. They’re fairly easy to install and can cost as little as $20 at the hardware store. Here are some options from Best Buy, Home Depot, and Amazon.

Move your spare key to a lockbox.

That hide-a-key rock isn’t fooling anyone, especially not burglars. For as little as $15, you can buy and install a wall-mounted key safe that will allow you to get inside your home if you’re locked out — without giving burglars the same opportunity. Check out these products from Master Lock and Kingsley.

Take steps to protect all of your smart home devices.

Doorbell cameras, security systems, and other connected devices can go a long way toward keeping your home safe. But they can also be vulnerable to hackers if not properly managed and secured. We recommend this article from PC Magazine that shares some helpful tips about protecting your smart home from hackers — including securing your Wi-Fi network and ensuring each device uses a strong and unique password.

Learn More About Pahlisch Safety Standards

From protecting your valuables to keeping your family safe, there are so many reasons to invest in the security of your home. The peace of mind you get is more than worth the cost of a few cameras and quality locks.

If you’re interested in purchasing a Pahlisch home and want to know more about our safety standards, please reach out to one of our New Home Specialists. They can answer any of your questions and help you find the perfect Pahlisch home.

And don’t forget to follow us on social media for more updates, insights, and homebuyer tips.