Home Security Guide

A Higher Standard of Home Security

Foundations of a Secure Home Your home should be a place where you feel safe and in control. But modern home security isn’t just about locks and alarms — it’s about making smart choices, knowing what to look out for, and using tools that give you peace of mind.

This guide shares essential, often-overlooked tips that will help you secure your home, property, and loved ones. Along the way, we’ll introduce some innovative solutions from Ring that can make home security simpler and more effective.

Engel & Völkers maintains a professional relationship with Ring. Home sellers who choose to work with an Engel & Völkers affiliated advisor may receive access to exclusive merchandise offers.

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Secure Every Entry Point When was the last time you walked the perimeter of your home? Take a moment to check for any weak spots — like low windows, side gates, or areas hidden from view. Don’t leave ladders, tools, or patio furniture near windows or fences, as these can be used for access.

Secure all basement windows and pet doors. And don’t forget to lock secondary entrances like side doors and sunrooms.

Smart Solution Installing a Ring Smart Lighting and Outdoor Cam is a great way to illuminate and monitor less visible areas.

Protect Your Garage and Vehicles Garages often provide easy access to both your home and your car. Always keep garage doors closed, lock interior connecting doors, and make sure your garage has a secondary lock. Vehicles should be kept locked — even inside the garage. Never leave the garage door

Did You Know?

opener inside a vehicle parked outside. Protect your

Ring offers a Floodlight Camera for above the garage and Spotlight Cameras inside the garage for motion activated lighting.

identity and accounts by removing purses and wallets from your vehicle. Store car keys in a secure place, never on hooks near the door where they can be easily snatched during a break-in.

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Keep Outdoor Areas Neat and Well-Lit Overgrown hedges, tall fences, and dark corners can create opportunities for intruders to approach unnoticed. Trim shrubs, maintain open sightlines, and use lighting strategically to eliminate shadows. Avoid overly tall privacy fences — they can block the view from neighbors and give intruders more cover.

Smart Solution Ring’s outdoor lighting options combine elegant design with motionactivated security.

Update Your Locks and Hardware High-quality locks and hardware make a significant difference in security. Consider upgrading to deadbolts with reinforced strike plates and long screws. Check window hardware and sliding door locks regularly. Even small upgrades can make it much harder for someone to force entry.

Smart Solution The Ring Alarm Security Kit offers contact sensors for windows and doors that work with smart locks from Schlage, Kwikset, Yale and others to help protect overlooked spots.

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Conceal Valuables Avoid storing valuables in obvious places like dresser

Create a detailed inventory of valuables, including

drawers, closets, or jewelry boxes. Consider using

photocopies, receipts, serial numbers, and descriptions,

discreet storage solutions, such as containers designed

to simplify recovery in case of theft and provide

to blend in with household items. If you choose to

documentation for insurance purposes.

use a safe, avoid placing it in the primary bedroom — one of the first areas a burglar might check. Instead, choose a concealed location and bolt the safe to the floor from the inside.

Smart Solution Add a Ring Indoor Cam with a built in privacy shudder that you can open when you leave and close when you’re home.

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Smart Solution

Stay Informed About Local Activity

The Neighbors App by Ring lets you see and share safety updates in your area while maintaining privacy.

The more you know about your neighborhood, the better prepared you’ll be. Get to know your neighbors, stay connected through community groups, and use local alert systems to stay aware of nearby incidents.

Prioritize Digital Security Your smart home depends on a secure digital foundation. Use strong, unique passwords, enable two-factor authentication, and keep device firmware updated. Avoid connecting smart devices to public networks and use a guest network for visitors.

Smart Solution Ring devices are designed with built-in privacy features and customizable settings.

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Maintain a Lived-In Look Homes that appear vacant are easy targets. Use smart

For extended trips, pause mail and newspaper deliveries

lighting and remote controls to create the impression

to prevent a buildup that signals no one is home. Contact

that someone is home, even when you’re away. Vary your

your local police department to see if they offer a service

light schedules, leave a TV or radio on a timer, and ensure

to check on your property.

that packages aren’t left unattended for long periods.

Smart Solution The Ring App allows you to control lights and cameras from anywhere.

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Exclusive for Engel & Völkers Clients As part of our commitment to helping you live securely and confidently, Engel & Völkers clients enjoy exclusive pricing on select Ring products. Speak with your affiliated Engel & Völkers real estate advisor to learn more about these exclusive offers.

Peace of Mind, Designed for Modern Living A secure home is about more than technology — it’s about thoughtful preparation, proactive choices, and tools that work together to create a safe, welcoming environment. With these insights and solutions, you can enjoy the luxury of security every day.

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