Our homes are our sanctuaries. They are where we go to end long days and begin each new one. They house our most prized possessions and memories. The last thing anyone wants to feel is uncomfortable or at risk while in their own home. These days, it doesn't seem to matter where you live. Crime just happens. Even if it is only a one-time occurrence at the house down the street, the psychological damage break-ins have on a neighborhood can be huge. There is always the option of installing an alarm but what else can you do? Here are three tips to help you secure your home: Living In the Carolinas:  If you have a custom home and you live in the Carolina's the risk for you runs pretty low on getting broken into your new home if you follow the tips below!  I would do these as a checklist so that you can secure your new place of residence or as I would call it a sanctuary!

Know Your Neighbor – For my grandparents' generation, this would be an unnecessary bullet point. For the internet generation, it's a great thing to keep in mind. In the Carolina's many people are friendly so this shouldn't be a problem. When you have a good relationship with your neighbor, they're more likely to look out for your property and call the police if needed. Return the favor by being a good neighbor. It doesn't cost anything and the pay off can be huge.

Indoor/Outdoor Lights  - Installing motion detecting lights on the outside of your home is a great idea. Criminals don't want to be seen and this will certainly take care of that. Now go a step further. If you travel a lot, install timers on your indoor lights to give the impression someone is always home. A security camera is a great option as well if it's in the budget. Sometimes just giving the impression of having a camera is enough.

Consider a Pet – Animals, especially dogs, can be great theft deterrents. Of course, you probably just pictured a huge angry dog ready to attack anyone that dares to step on your property. No doubt a large territorial dog will do the trick but don't sell the little guys short. Even smaller breeds will generally bark and let you know something out the ordinary is going on. Sometimes a heads up is the difference between a break in and an attempted break in. In North Carolina homes are filled with pets and this will help also connect with your neighbors and establish a strong and safe community.

At Sedgewick Homes, our mission is to delight our customers while creating a positive environment that allows our employees and associates to prosper. If you're in the market to build a home, we are happy to help construct your vision, one board at a time. For more information, please visit our website: www.sedgewickhomes.com.