Minimalism, eco-friendliness, efficiency, and affordability are some of the tiny home lifestyle’s biggest selling points. As a result, these small, utopian dwellings have cropped up everywhere in the U.S., proving their popularity and cementing their existence in the nation’s housing market.
While the perks are as clear as day, living the downsized life isn’t without its predicaments. One obvious challenge is home security. How can a tiny property be secure and safe from trespassers, natural calamities, and more?
For a little help, below are five easy ways to keep your tiny abode safe, giving you peace of mind.
Tiny House Insurance
Insuring your tiny house is probably the best way to protect your investment by providing the much-needed money to rebuild or repair the home if it’s damaged by a tornado, storm, fire, or some other covered event. Not having home insurance could likely result in financial hardship.
The good news is that insuring a non-standard home type isn’t as challenging as it once was because more and more insurance companies have included tiny home insurance in different policies.
The type of tiny house insurance you’ll need will depend on what kind of tiny home you own. For example, there’s insurance for a tiny mobile house and a stationary one. Moreover, your insurance premium is determined based on a few factors such as tiny home type, location, construction type, value, and size.
Make sure you speak with several insurers in your area to get the right coverage for your tiny abode.
Get A Hitch Lock
If your tiny home has wheels and can be moved from here to there, then it’s the most apparent weak spot for your home. Wheels generally mean that your property can be effortlessly transported, making it vulnerable to theft.
Getting a hitch lock is one of the simplest things you can do to safeguard your tiny home from burglary and theft. As the name implies, this device obscures the hitch to stop criminals from hooking your tiny home to their vehicle so they can drive off with it.
Additionally, it acts as a visible and blatant deterrent that discourages criminals from trying to steal your tiny house. Find the hitch lock that fits your mobile home because the better the fit, the more difficult it’ll be to break.
The good news is that hitch locks are very affordable, costing at least $100. So, there’s no reason not to invest in a good hitch lock.
Install A Security Alarm
If you’re worried about your tiny dwelling when you’re not around, a security alarm can help you get the peace of mind you need. For example, if a thief breaks into your home and triggers the alarm, it’ll instantly call you or the police.
Modern alarm systems offer smart functionality wherein you can track or monitor what’s happening in your home via your mobile device. Also, if the alarm has gone off by accident, you can deactivate it remotely.
Lock The Wheels
Wheel locks can help keep your tiny abode from getting stolen. All you need to do is to install them where the lug nuts go. And once they’re on, criminals will have difficulty removing them unless they have the right key.
They’re affordable and easy to install. Think of it as cheap insurance that will help protect your tiny house from theft. While a wheel lock can’t defeat a determined thief, a good set will increase security in your home.
Invest In Quality Door And Window Locks
Doors and windows are the most vulnerable or exposed elements of a home. They can be quickly forced or pried open, allowing burglars to enter your tiny home. The good news is that you can significantly improve your doors’ and windows’ strength with a few locks in no time.
Take note that different styles of doors and windows open and close differently. Hence, the style of the lock you will need depends on your door type and windows. For doors, there are traditional keyed locks and smart keyless locks.
On the other hand, for windows, there are latches, folding locks, pin locks, wedges, keyed locks, and sliding locks. Find the best quality locks for your doors and windows to prevent criminals from entering your home.
Final Thoughts
A tiny home doesn’t mean a tiny investment. While you may spend less than on a standard-size home, it doesn’t mean it has no value and requires no protection. The truth is, a tiny house should be treated the same way as a residential home. The possibility of losing it is a devastating scenario. As such, tiny house owners should do all their best to keep their property safe and secure. Follow the tips outlined in this post to get started.