If you have valuables like jewelry, artwork or significant amounts of cash, you can’t assume that their existence is secret. You must protect your home and your family by investing in a quality home security system. Read on how you can make your home more safe and secure.
Look for ways to make your home seem occupied. You can purchase timers that can control your household electronics such as lights, TVs and radios. This way it will always look as if someone is home, even when you are away. This is a great way to keep your home safe and avoid burglaries.
Be sure your home always be occupied. You can buy timers to have radios, TVs, radios and other types of electronics to go on at various times. This will make it look like someone is in it. This helps you can take to secure your home.
Protect your spare key by using your dog. This really only works if you’ve got an outdoor dog or if you’ve got a pet door. Simply attach a spare key to your dog’s collar (in a secure and non-visible place, of course) so that you’ll be able to retrieve it if you need it.
Comparison shopping is essential when seeking a home security system for the home. Make sure to obtain quotes from at least three companies before you decide on a final one.
If someone comes to clean your home, only give them a key if they’re trustworthy. If you do give out a key to such individuals, be certain you know their reputation for honesty. Go over their references and do some background research on the company they work for. Call the Better Business Bureau to see if their firm is well-reviewed.
Don’t post information about an upcoming vacation anywhere on social media.Although your first instinct is to share the news about an upcoming trip that excites you, posting it online makes it more possible for criminals to find out when you’re gone.
Buy a safe to contain everything of great value. This is vital, as you want to safeguard your valuable items in case of home burglary. Keep it hidden in a hard to find location.
Turn the ringer off on all your phones if you will be away for a prolonged period of time.A constantly ringing phone lets thieves know that you’re not home and could increase the chances of you getting robbed.
Ask your friends for advice before you choose a home security system or company. Knowledge of first-hand experiences can be very helpful to you when it comes to making this important decision. Making a great choice is important, so this advice will come in handy.
You should never want to open your door to a stranger without proper identification. People try many ways to trick others into letting them in so that they can commit burglary or worse. Make it a house rule forbidding anyone to open your door to people who you were expecting.
If you’re going on a trip for an extended period of time, switch the ringer off on all home phones. If the phone rings without you there, burglars will suspect that you’re not home, and that can make your home a target for an attack while you’re gone.
Local Police Department
Don’t let strangers enter your house. Even if someone has a good story, requires help or has a great product to sell, ignore them. Even home security representatives could be intruders who want to check the kind of protection you have.
See what your local police department offers in terms of home inspection or other protection programs. 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. Call the local police department and inquire as to what is available.
Remove old plants and debris from your yard. These can quickly become fire hazards when hit by direct sunlight, placing your house at risk. Clearing your yard keeps your home, belongings and family much safer.
Regardless of the type of home security system you choose, you need to check it annually. Ask someone from your security company to do a look. You may not even discover these problems if you can’t see it.
Switch your locks. This could be an ex-spouse or roommate you got into a fight with. This doesn’t usually cost much, and it can be accomplished in less than a day.
Talk to your neighborhood.
If you live more out in the country, you may think that you’re not at risk. The risk is still there, so a home security system is vital. Still, there are those who are of the opinion that rural properties are less of a temptation to burglars.
Some people feel that rural dwellers have greater risk since their neighbors live farther away. Some people think burglaries are less prevalent in rural areas.
Criminals often pick houses where they can see the valuables inside. Large windows let in light and give you a great view outside, but that works both ways. Make sure you keep your blinds closed or arrange your possessions in such a way that they can’t be seen from outside.
Don’t forget about the skylights when doing a security sweep for your home.Skylights are a great addition to any home, but it’s easy for burglars to gain access to your home through them. Be certain that the skylights in your home are durable and reliable.
When selecting an alarm set-up, think about getting one that protects not just the doors in your home. Your windows are easy entry points for crooks too. Be sure your home alarm covers all entry points into your home. This can keep your family much safer.
Don’t put extra keys under doormats or plants. These are the first places criminals will look when you misplace your key. Burglars are well aware of these hiding spots.
Replace all locks in a new house. Regardless of how you feel about the sellers, you never know someone’s true intentions. 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 home.
Rotten wood on door and window frames needs to be repaired. Rotting wood is easy to remove and take apart if someone is trying to get in. Replace the rotting door frame with a new one and keep your home much safer.
Flashlights are essential since they allow you to move around in an emergency should arise. Make sure everyone in your family knows where to find them and how to operate them.
When allowing a representative from any security company to enter your home, look for someone in uniform and ask to see an identification. Thieves may say they are from a certain company to get into your home. This situation presents danger to your home, family and belongings. Be careful to avoid any potential dangers.
Always get references before letting anyone you are considering hiring to do work inside your home. You should do background check as well to find out their criminal history. You never know if the maid, service workers or contractors are honest, and therefore giving out keys can be a big error.
Man’s best friend can be one of the most effective anti-burglary systems. Man’s best friend is very territorial and makes a lot of noise during anything happening out of the ordinary. You don’t even need a huge, vicious dog. A terrier will make enough of a fuss to stop someone from breaking in.
Ask your security provider about their history in business before you sign up for service. A company that’s been around for a while has proved they can survive and provide great service is reliable. Knowing that you are not dealing with a fly by night company gives you calm when making this important decision.
See if your security firm offers a variety of contract lengths. You will probably find there are many pros and cons associated with each different contract. Long contracts may cost less each month, but it could leave you with a larger bill if you decide to end your service. Shorter contracts likely allow you more flexibility with exiting the plan; however, you will probably have a larger monthly bill.
Get your needs by having the security system custom built for your home.
Don’t put the registration to your car in your glove box. This is not wise since anyone who has access to them will know where you live. You should carry them with you or find some other hiding place inside your vehicle. You still need to have them close in case you are pulled over.
Keep the outside areas of your home’s exterior well lit. Burglars like the cover of darkness to hide. Install lights in any area a potential intruder can get into your home. This extends to doorways, porches, and windows on ground floors which may invite intruders.
A timer can help you regulate when you turn the lights off or on in the evening. This helps the lights stay on and continue to switch even when you’re away from your home.
Although they can be very helpful, not everybody needs them. In some neighborhoods, it may be just as useful to learn self defense or buy a dog, whereas other places may require added measures. Be sure to assess the risk level you face before deciding what sort of security is best for you.
While locks are useful for sealing the inside, they won’t be that useful if you can’t lock them from outside. Therefore, the best lock is the deadbolt. The ones with inside and outside keys will ensure that a burglar cannot open them.
Taking steps to improve your home’s security is a much better plan than optimistically hoping it’ll never attract criminal attention. Don’t live in fear all the time, but try taking precautionary steps. Keep these tips in mind if you want some good ways to improve the security of your home.
As a matter of course, you should install new locks any time you move into a house or apartment. If you’re renting, ask the landlord to re-key the lock for you.
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