Is your pre-teen at an age where they can be left home alone for short periods of time, and you are starting to question your home security? If so, there are a variety of ways you can improve the safety of your home to help you feel less stressed about leaving them alone.

You'll want to talk with a locksmith and make some changes so your teen can protect themselves and so your house isn't a target for a break-in. Here are a few things you'll want to consider.

New Door and Locks

Does your front door currently have a side panel of windows where someone can see inside the house, or where your teen has to move a curtain to see who is knocking at the door? If so, you want to replace the door with a larger one that goes the full width of the old frame including the space occupied by the windows so no one can see in the home. This also prevents someone from breaking the side window pane and opening the door.

The door should have a peep hole so your teen can see out without someone seeing that there is a teen at home alone, and it should have a steel kick plate and deadbolt. Deadbolts should also be added to all exterior doors on the property.

Home Security

Do you have a home security system? If not, it's time to install one. Your property is 300 percent more likely to have a break-in occur if you don't have one, and if you have one that was installed years ago it needs to be updated. With a system that has wireless and smartphone control, you can see when your teen gets home, what doors are opened, and when they go in and out of the home.

A locksmith can do a full scan of the property and give you a report that shows where your home is vulnerable for a break-in and what security risks you have that need to be taken care of. You may not realize that your second story windows, single layer glass basement windows, or sliding glass doors are targets for intruders that want in your home. If you want to make sure that your teen is as safe as possible while they are at home on their own waiting for you, you want to take the security measures that a locksmith, like VIP Locksmith Tampa, suggests.