It is up to you to keep your home secure. You might think that getting an alarm is enough; however, but there are many other things you can do.Continue to read to learn more about how you have to boost your home’s security.
Make sure you have a safe to keep valuable items in one place. If a burglar enters your home, he or she will have a hard time making off with your possessions. This safe should be hidden in a location where burglars won’t find it, such as a hole in the wall, the attic, or a basement closet.
Your faithful dog can safeguard an extra key. This really only works if you’ve got an outdoor dog is outdoors most of the time or if you’ve got a pet door. You can purchase a special collar that will hold your spare key, so it is always handy.
Social networking sites are great for keeping in touch, but post information sparingly. For example, you might avoid broadcasting when you are going out of town, especially if your friends list contains casual acquaintances. If you do, burglars will know you’re not home and strike.
Always change the locks changed when you buy a new home. You simply do not know how many copies of the keys the former owner. Do the same thing if you misplace a key.
Seek recommendations from friends and family when choosing a security company or system. They have likely had interactions with home security providers that they can tell you about, saving you time and stress. Keep asking to get the advice that will help you make the right choice.
Above doors or under doormats are not smart ideas. One idea is to hide your key is in the collar of a dog that does not take kindly to strangers.
See if your local police department offers any home inspection or other protection programs. Home inspections or engraving identifiers can help protect you. Contact the police department to see if they have something similar.
Ask friends for any advice before choosing home security companies and systems. You can benefit from people who have gone before you by paying attention to their recommendations and warnings. Ask around so you’ll have as much advice for making a sound decision.
There’s no security system so durable that it can go without regular maintenance and inspections. Have yours checked out once a year. Ask someone from your security company to come over and have a look. A number of things may cause your alarm system to have problems, including mother nature and wild animals. Sometimes, you may need a professional to locate the problem.
Never allow any strangers into your house.Even if they tell you a sob story about needing help, do not let them in. This person might just be casing the joint to see if there is home secure.
Go with your gut when you invite a home security company representative into your house. This is especially true if you are uneasy with those who are installing the actual system. Ask for someone else to come out or switch companies. Ultimately, the whole point is for you to have peace of mind.
Check with your town for home protection plans. They may offer things such as home inspections, engraving tool loans, engraving tools for marking code numbers onto items so that they will be easily identified if stolen. Contact your local police department to see if they offer this type of program.
Be sure your expensive belongings are not visible from the home’s exterior. If you have big windows near your big entertainment system, it can seem like an invitation to thieves. Be sure to put curtains on your front-facing windows so people can’t see your valuable belongings.
It is important that you check your home security system periodically, you should have an annual test. Get someone from the security comapny tech to check it. You might not know there’s an issue if they aren’t easily sighted.
Lock up your house every time you leave. Many burglaries happen because the intruders can just walk right inside. It does not take long for thieves to steal a lot from your home.
Walls can serve as a handy hiding spot for your valuables. You can hide small valuables within your walls.You can use the opening provided by an electrical switch plate or electric outlets as hiding spots. You can easily install a fake one.
When moving into a house, ensure that each lock has been replaced. Even though the person who sold your home to you may seem honest, you simply can’t know for certain. Don’t forget that there were likely other owners and residents in the house before the last set.
Having these boxes around will give people an idea of what is inside your house.
Your flashlights should always be equipped with good, working batteries. Having a well-charged flashlight on hand is very beneficial in case of emergency. Make sure your whole family knows where to find them and how to operate them.
Replace all locks in your newly purchased home. The previous owner may be perfectly respectable, but you don’t know everything about them.
If you want to make your house even more secure, a cheap way to do that is to buy outside lights with motion detectors. Nighttime security lights are affordable and effective in terms of security and handy in terms of visibility and safety. If they are positioned correctly outside of your home, your motion detectors can make it impossible for strangers to sneak around.
Flashlights are essential since they allow you to move around if an emergency should arise. Make sure your family knows where the flashlights are and how to operate them.
Keeping your home very bright during the night hours is an excellent way to prevent thieves. They don’t want anyone to see them. A well-lit home is like a red flag to a burglar. Have lights that come on when they detect movement for best results.
It is easy for potential thieves to present themselves as representatives of a company in order to get into your home. This can be extremely dangerous to your family and possessions. Be careful if you want to avoid any potential dangers.
Maintain the exterior areas in your house so they are well lit. Burglars like using darkness to hide. Light up the dark spots around your home. Some examples include first story windows, garages, doorways and porches.
Motion Detectors
Could burglars see inside your garage? Make sure that they can’t! Go to a hardware store and buy some frosting so you can cover your windows. Also keep your garage door closed whenever possible, especially if you will be stepping away from it for an extended period of time.
A simple way to achieve extra security is to install exterior lighting equipped with motion detectors. If placed strategically around the house, your motion detectors can make it impossible for strangers to sneak around.
Ask about different contract lengths that your home security company may offer. Each will have its own pros and some cons, too. 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. Shorter contracts may offer greater freedom at a higher cost.
Ask the home security company how long they’ve been running prior to signing up. A company that’s been around for a long history has proved they can survive and provide great service to people. Knowing that you are dealing with a fly by night company gives you extra peace of mind when making this crucial decision.
Do not hide your key in obvious places. Fake rocks are particularly simple to spot. Hiding a key under the doormat is even worse; this cliched tactic will fool no one. A better plan is to ask someone you trust to keep your extra key in case you need it. If that option isn’t available to you, be creative with your hiding spots.
A wireless security system could be just the option you are looking for.Wired systems may be cheaper, but they often involve intrusive rewiring of your home, and can become faulty during a power outage.
Consult with your home security provider on whether they can supply lighting that is motion sensitive. Lots of companies have this, which triggers your exterior lights whenever something or someone moves near a doorway. Motion sensitive lighting can scare off an intruder and allow you to safely enter your home.
Consider installing a surveillance system for your home and property. You can have great home security by putting in cameras whether they’re concealed or out in the open. Visible cameras are a deterrent to most intruders, and if they are disabled, a camera that is hidden will keep capturing footage. Some security systems can be accessed with cell phones, which lets you look in on your house when away.
Your alarm will only work if the police are notified. The best strategy is to buy a centrally monitored alarm so that the police always show up if it is triggered. It is not safe to assume the neighbors will call the police.
Do not buy spring latches. These locks are very easy to pick with a credit card. Intruders just have to slide a card in between the latch and door for the door. Add a deadbolt to existing spring latch locks.
Women are often the target of a home break-in, especially if it is apparent they live alone or with children. Make it seem as if there is a man living in your home by putting large mud boots on your porch and a man’s hat in your car. This is sure to scare criminals off from your house.
Keep your curtains closed when you aren’t at home.Intruders can look into your home if they are left up. You should have them down when you are sleeping.
Obviously, owning a big dog that has a frightening bark has its benefits. A barking dog will keep most intruders away. Therefore, consider owning a large dog so your home can be protected from burglaries. Just make sure this dog won’t attack your family!
Monthly Fees
Put away any outdoor toys your children have when they are not playing with them. Toys are like beacons to burglars letting them know a woman may be home alone. Burglars may target homes where women live. Why? Women, in general, have more expensive jewelry.
Ask whether companies offer systems for lease or buy your security equipment. Buying it may cost more, but one time costs might lower or eliminate some monthly fees that add up over time. Leasing is cheaper, but it may involve contracts and higher monthly fees. Look at both of these to see what works for your personal circumstances.
Surveillance systems are your best bet for home security. When you see a burglar with a mask in the movie, you are watching fiction. Eye witness testimony alone can be overwhelming for the victim, and cameras are an effective deterrent in crime prevention. Just seeing surveillance will often cause them to leave.
Think about hard-wired security systems if you’re worried about maintenance costs. It can also be very costly to replace a ton of batteries.
Have you considered motion-sensitive lights? When a person approaches, the lights will come on. This will freak out a criminal! The sudden burst of light usually causes panic, and intruders will typically flee once they’re illuminated.
Always keep your valuables you can’t replace secure. Items like passports, family photos, legal documents, expensive jewelry and financial records need to be placed at a secure location. A floor safe can keep these items within the home. You can also look into getting a bank safe deposit box.
Make everyone aware of your home alarm system. Window decals, yard signs, and noisy alarms are better at preventing people from breaking into your house. By making them aware before they enter your home, you’ll save yourself both time and headaches.
This information can help put you in the safest position possible. Perhaps this seems to be very complicated and troublesome; however, you must proceed to secure your home and provide safety for your family. You can do exactly that with these tips.
Be sure to install new locks when you move to a new house. There is no way to know who has a key granting access to the home, whether it is the former owner or their friends. Putting in new locks will ensure that you and your family are the only ones with access. Anytime you lose the key, change the locks.