To make the best choice in terms of securing your home, it is important to familiarize yourself with the range of options that are available. This is not a decision to take lightly. Rather, be deliberate about deciding what your family needs in terms of home security.
Let a house cleaner have your keys only if they can provide you with references so you can verify their trustworthiness. If you plan on giving them the key so that they can work in your home for over an hour, make sure that they’re reputable, hardworking, and honest. Make sure you verify all references. If it is a known company, check with your local BBB.
Be sure your home appears to always be occupied. You can buy timers to have radios, TVs, lights and other electronics go off and on at different times. This makes it look as though people are home no matter what. This helps you keep your house burglar-free.
When looking to purchase a good home security system, it is best that you look at many companies. Prices vary significantly, even for similar levels of protection. Get quotes from no less than three companies before choosing the best one.
Spare Key
A spare key must be carefully hidden and not in the obvious spots that a person might think. Placing a key above a door or under a doormat is quite obvious! You could hide the key with your dog on the collar.
Consider using your dog as a place to store your spare key. This is a great idea if your dog is outside all the time, or they can get out through a doggy 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.
Don’t use social media to announce that you will be gone for an extended period of time. Although you may want to let others in on your excitement, it may inadvertently give burglars a heads up to target your property.
Always change the locks after moving into a new home. You’re not aware of any copies that have been made by the previous owners of the house. To make sure no one else can get into your home, call a locksmith. If you lose keys, make sure to do this, too.
Walls can serve as a handy hiding place. If you have small valuables you want to protect, consider hiding them inside your walls. Target any unused phone jacks or electrical outlets for an easy hiding spot. If you do not have any unused plates, it is easy to install a false one.
Make sure you trust your house cleaner before you provide them with a key. When giving your house cleaner the key to your home, you need to be sure that they are reputable and honest. Check the housekeeper’s references very carefully. If the person is an employee of a firm, call your local BBB to check their reputation.
Consider hiding valuables within your walls. This doesn’t necessarily involve chopping up your walls, either. Many spots are already cut that can be used for this purpose. If you have an electric socket you do not use, hide valuables behind their covers.
Keep your most precious belongings inside a safe. This is very important, as you do not want your gold, diamonds and personal items exposed if someone were to break into your house. Be sure to put your safe in an out of the way place like the basement, attic or under the floorboards.
Don’t give outside people the ability to see into your home. It is wise to invest in coverings for large windows that can give criminals a large view of your home. By reducing visibility into your home, you protect your belongings, safety, and you improve the interior beauty of your home.
Don’t overlook your garage as a potential access point for thieves. A lot of garage owners fret over burglars entering this way, but there are answers. You can use a C-clamp to stop the door from being opened.
Don’t allow the wires of your home security system to be visible to others. An intruder can cut the wires if he can find them. This makes it much easier for a thief to get inside your home. Keep the wires protected. This will help to deter intruders that are looking to quickly disable your alarm system.
It is important that you check your home security system periodically, at least once a year. Ask a qualified worker who specializes in security systems to take a look. There are quite a few things that can negatively impact the effectiveness of home security equipment. For example, adverse weather conditions or pests such as raccoons can cause problems. If the problem isn’t visible, you may be unaware of it.
Be sure to replace all locks on a home you have bought. Though you may not suspect that the seller is up to something, you still need to be careful. Keep in mind that other people may have lived in the home prior to the seller.
If you reside in the country, you may be less worried about break-ins than urban dwellers are. The risk is still there, so a home security system is vital. Still, many believe that rural environments are less frequently targeted by burglars.
Have home-security companies come to your home so they can design the best possible system for it. Everyone has specific wants and needs when it comes to securing their home, family and belongings. A custom set-up will make sure you’re as safe as can be.
If your home has skylights, don’t neglect to secure them. While they are nice and help with lighting, they also provide the burglars help with access to your home. Use heavy-duty hardware to secure your skylights to the roof.
The outside of your house should be well lit. Burglars prefer the cover that night provides their criminal activities. Make sure to have lights anywhere an intruder might enter. Make sure your porch, garage, doorways and windows are well lit.
Hide your valuables in the walls. Concealing small valuables in your walls is an easy and highly effective way to protect them. Use an old switch plate, outlet or phone jack. If you have no unused plates, you can put in a fake one.
If you see that the door is open, do not enter the house. Your home and the area surrounding it may still be in danger. Just contact the police and sit tight until they arrive.
Security System
Wireless home security systems are becoming more popular. It may cost less to get a wired system; however, rewiring to accommodate the system may be difficult. Additionally, power outages may negatively impact your system. Wireless systems are much more simple to install and upkeep, and the power inside your home will not affect them.
If you install a security system, make certain to hide the wires well. Intruders can easily disable your home security system by cutting or unplugging the wires. Do not make things simple for a burglar, but rather bury all wires or hide them in the wall. This will help to deter intruders that are looking to quickly disable your alarm system.
If you plan to go away and have asked someone to get the mail, see if they will also remove fliers that may have been left at the door. Some burglars place fliers to see if they’ll be quickly removed. If the flier stays in place, the burglar knows that the homeowner is out on vacation.
If you bought any expensive or large items, don’t throw the boxes out until the day trash is scheduled to be removed. Letting such packaging sit out will signal to criminals that there are good things to be found in your house.
Inquire with your company if they allow both leases and purchases of equipment. You can avoid interest rates by buying the security system right away. Leasing may seem cheaper but might require contractual agreements and fees. You must review both options carefully to determine which will best suit your needs.
You need flashlights and plenty of batteries in each room just in case your power ever goes out. These items will help you remain safe when there is no electricity. Teach your children how to use the flashlights so that everyone in your household can help.
If you keep a spare key outside, make sure it is not kept in an obvious location. If you place it under a rock, a good robber will find it. Under your doormat is also a common place burglars will look. The best strategy is to have a neighbor or good friend hold a spare key in case you need it. If you have no trustworthy neighbors, try to be more creative.
Perform landscaping for your home which enhances your home’s safety. All of your windows and doors should be unobstructed by plants, shrubs, trees or fences. No one can easily break into a window which everyone can see. Plan your greenery and shrubbery for areas away from the direct path to your home to add beauty while still keeping your house safe.
An alarm system can be a powerful way to make your home more secure, as long as it actually notifies the authorities when it’s tripped. Some security systems have constant monitoring, so that when the alarm goes off, a call is made to the police for you. Don’t rely on anyone else to call.
Maintain the exterior areas in your house so they are well lit. Burglars love to operate in the dark. So it’s smart to put a light in typically darker corners around your home. Consider all your doors, porches, patios, decks, garages and all ground-level windows.
Women are targeted for robbery more often, particularly if they have children or they live alone. Consider displaying large boots outside your home to make others think that you have a man living in your home. This will definitely deter criminals from entering your home.
You don’t need to rely on keys to prevent entry to certain areas of your home. Get key-less locks that need a code. Many home security companies will install these, and there are also do it yourself kits available.
When it comes to locks, remember that you have to be able to lock it from both the inside and outside for maximum security. Deadbolts that use keys on both sides are the most secure locks.
Ideally, you’ve got a few new ideas to consider about making your home safer after reading this article. It is not advisable to approach home security blindly. You need to be comfortable that you have taken your family’s security seriously. Remember this advice, and you will feel better about the situation as a whole.
Buy security systems directly from the company and not a reseller. Dealers just want to make money, and sometimes they do not back up the products that they carry. If you get your product from the company, you will avoid a ton of fees.
ergonomic pillow
nurse home waterproof mattress protector
mattress and box spring covers
About The Author
