You should always feel concerned about your home’s security! You never know when someone is going to try and break in to steal your things and potentially try to do you harm. Read this article so you can get ideas on making your house more secure.
When you buy a new home, be sure to have the locks changed. You cannot be sure of the number of key copies that the former owner gave out. Get a locksmith in right away. You should also do this if your keys ever get lost.
Be sure that your home appears to always be occupied. You could purchase timers and have your TVs, TVs, radios and other types of electronics to go on at various times. This makes it appear that someone is at your house at all times. This is great for avoiding burglary and keeping a home safer from burglaries.
If someone comes to clean your home, only give them a key if they’re trustworthy. If they will be there over an hour and you are thinking of giving them your home key, be certain they are honest, reputable and hard-working. Check references thoroughly. If you hire a cleaner who works for a company, speak with your local BBB about the company’s reliability.
Does your canine stay outside while you go out? Your dog is an excellent place for your extra key. Put it on the dog’s collar.This works especially useful if the dog does not take kindly to strangers.
Buy a safe to keep all of your valuables in one place at home. If a burglar enters your home, he or she will have a hard time making off with your possessions. Keep the safe hidden somewhere remote.
Don’t post information about your vacations on the web. While these platforms are there for sharing, you’re letting everyone know that your home will be vacant and easy to rob.
Make sure to use caution when deciding if and where to hide an extra key outside of your home. Intruders will more than likely check under your doormat or above your door frame. Try hiding your key on a lawn statue or in a potted plant.
Ask friends for any advice before choosing home security system or service. Your loved ones likely have gone through both bad and good experiences and they will be able to share them with you. Ask around to get lots of advice as you need in order to make a sound decision.
Turn the ringer off on your telephone if you are going to be away. Intruders might be attracted by a phone that rings constantly without anyone picking up.
Turn the ringer off on your phones if you are going to be away. A constantly ringing phone which rings forever is a sign to burglars that you are not home and could increase the chances of you getting robbed.
Be sure to secure your attached garage. Intruders could easily break into your garage and access your home. Use a C-clamp to secure the door if it’s off track.
Regardless of the quality of your home security system, be sure to have regular inspections and maintenance performed. Get a professional in to check it. You may not know there’s an issue by yourself.
Avoid being shy. Talk to the people who live in your neighborhood. Keep on eye on their home and ask neighbors to return the favor. Also consider listening in on some of the neighborhood gossip. It is often a good way to find out about security issues, such as strangers in the neighborhood.
Walls can be a great for hiding items. You should think about hiding certain small valuables in your walls. You can use phone jacks or other device that is not being used.You can easily install a fake unused plates.
Go with your gut when you invite a home security company representative into your house. If the installers give you the heebie-jeebies, it’s not a good sign. You don’t want to refrain from choosing a different company or technician. You want your new system to protect you, not be the way the thief gets into your home.
Do not hide your spare key under your mat or in a nearby planter. These seem like great places criminals will look when you misplace your home. Thieves are aware of all these hiding spots.
If you do not reside in a big city, you may not worry as much about home burglaries. Some people think that country folk are mainly targeted since they don’t have nearby neighbors. Other people believe rural areas are less likely to be targeted by burglars.
Make sure that your valuables cannot be seen from outside the outside. While it may be nice to look out, it also gives potential thieves a good look in your own home.
Keep valuables out of sight of windows. It is wise to invest in coverings for large windows that can give criminals a large view of your home. If you’ve got street facing windows, be sure and keep them covered.
Having these boxes nearby can tell robbers what kind of merchandise you’ve got in your home.
When in the process of selecting an alarm system, you should select a system that protects more than simply the doors of your home. Your windows are easy entry points for crooks too. Get an alarm that will trigger if either the doors or windows are opened. This is great for keeping the family secure.
It is easy for thieves to present themselves as representatives of a company reps in order to get into your home. This proves rather dangerous for both your family and your possessions. Be careful to avoid danger.
Think about your personal security needs before you purchase a home security system. You might find that an alarm isn’t necessary at all. You could, for instance, invest in an alarm system, some outside lights, adopt a dog or take some self-defense classes. Know what you want and make your decisions based on that.
Ask about the history of any home security company how long they have been in business before you are considering. A company that’s been around for a while has proven that their service to people. Knowing you are dealing with a shady company gives you calm when making this important decision.
Use a wireless security system. While wireless systems are often cheap, the cost of installation can be sky high. Wireless systems are easier to install and maintain, and they do not rely on the power in your home to work correctly.
Although these systems can protect you and your family, they’re not necessarily the cost-effective solution for every home. In some neighborhoods, a class on self defense or a guard dog might be more suitable, while in others, an advanced home security system will fit the bill. Know the risks so that you want and make a better decision.
If you plan to be away and you have another person collecting your mail, have them double check your front door for fliers. This is a way people who are casing out your house can tell whether you are home or not. A flier that hangs around for days on end lets burglars know that there’s no one in the home.
Consider a wireless security system for your home. While wired systems may seem cheaper, you have to rewire your home and worry about power outages.
If you live with children or others whom who don’t want entering some parts of the house, keys and lock sets aren’t the only option. It is possible to have locks that require just codes, not keys. Many home security companies will install these, and there are also do it yourself kits available.
Thieves can often be found looking through garbage cans to be a gold mine of pertinent information about potential victims. You can tear papers with personal information into small bits before you discard them.
Inquire as to the different lengths of contracts offered by your security company. These lengths can be both good and bad. Longer contracts can lower your monthly bill; however, you may have to continue paying the bill even if you move or discontinue with their services. With a shorter contract, you will have a greater level of flexibility. The downside is you will also have larger monthly bills.
The best way to keep a thief from going into the garage is to ensure no one can see inside. Don’t leave your front door unlocked or standing open for long lengths of time when working in the garage or yard.
Think about getting a hard-wired home security system if maintenance costs are an issue for you. Wireless systems, while convenient, will require much more maintenance. If the batteries are not changed, the system might not work at all. Buying new batteries to replace the old ones can get expensive.
Can you see the number of your house number if you are standing on the street? If you have an emergency, the police can’t get to the home as quick if your numbers are obscured in any way or are too small.
Store those items you can’t bear to lose in a very secure area. Items such as family photos, passports, legal documents, expensive jewelry and financial records need to be placed at a secure location. You may want to invest in a floor safe for these. Safety deposit boxes are another great idea.
Do not buy spring latches. These type of locks are easy to break into since they may be opened by using a credit card. Intruders just have to slide a card in between the latch and the door. Add a deadbolt to existing spring latch locks.
Take to your security company, and find out if they have motion activated lights. Most companies will provide customers with this luxury. When anyone gets too close to the entry way, the lights turn on. This will make you more safe as you walk up to your house, and it can keep intruders away.
Ask whether companies offer options to lease and sale. Buying outright costs a lot more in the beginning, but it’s a single cost versus a monthly cost. Leasing is a good way to avoid the initial expense, it does mean higher monthly bills and a contract. Look at both choices to know which one is better for your personal circumstances.
Avoid purchasing a security system from a third party. Instead, buy directly from the manufacturer. Middlemen tack on extra charges and offer very little in the way of guarantees. Whenever you buy straight from the company, you are assured you are paying the right price and that the equipment will cater to your needs.
Sliding glass doorways can pose security problem in many homes. They can be easily if you shake and shakes the door frame. This will ensure the door a lot harder to force open.
Make sure you always replace locks when purchasing a home, whether the people you purchased from were lovely or not. This is especially true if you rent or you buy homes, so be sure to ask the landlord to have the lock switched or you can hire a locksmith if you can do so.
The best locks you can get are deadbolts that include captive keylock. These devices include a thumb latch so that no one can reach around and opening the lock through a broken window nearby. When you are home, leave the key in the lock so that you can get out in case of a fire.
Try not to make your rooms visible to the outside world. If you are able to see your expensive stuff from your front lawn, so are thieves. Consider installing drapes so that people aren’t able to see inside your home. Otherwise, put your valuable items out of sight.
Search for a company that offers more than a simple security system. Great companies are willing to come assess the house and make some recommendations that can keep your family much safer. This could include additional locks, trimming back some bushes or installing windows that are more secure.You want to make sure your company truly cares about your security, and you will be able to see that through such a consultation.
Clean your home’s carbonic monoxide detectors and smoke detectors regularly. The sensors will stop working if dirty. This can leave you in trouble down the road.
Instead of hoping that nothing bad will happen to you or your family, view the world in a more realistic way. At any time, you can be a victim of a burglary. Keep these tips in mind in order to keep your home safe.
Keep in mind that you can legally have a gun in your home. If you own a gun, you should get professional training on its use. You may feel better once there is a gun around.
About The Author
