The odds are pretty good that someone in your immediate circle of friends and family members has had to deal with a burglary at some point. Home invasions are a huge issue nowadays. A break-in can occur anyplace at all. This article describes some information that can be used for boosting your home’s security.
When you decide to purchase a home alarm system, make sure you comparison shop. You’ll find a wide range of prices from different companies. Get quotes from several companies so that you can get the best price for your home security system.
A home security system has other features in addition to sounding an alarm when there is a break-in. Many systems can be used to go off whenever anyone enters your home. If you have little ones wandering about the house, this makes it easy for you to know if they have come in or gone out.
Turn the ringer off on your telephone if you are going to be away. A constantly ringing phone lets thieves know that you are not home and could increase the chances of you getting robbed.
Don’t just hide your spare key anywhere. Common places to hide a spare key are above your door frame or underneath your doormat. Therefore, thieves are more likely to check these places out first. One idea is to hide your key inside the collar of your outdoor dog.
Check with your local law enforcement agency about home protection plans. They may offer neighborhood watch programs, home inspections, engraving tools for marking code numbers onto items so that they will be easily identified if stolen. Your police department will be able to help you find out what is available in your town.
Don’t open up your door for someone who is a stranger. People try many ways to convince others to open up their doors so that they can commit burglary or worse. Make it mandatory that doors in your home are only opened for expected visitors.
If you’ve got a garage, make sure to use it for your car rather than extra storage space. If your car is locked up inside, it cannot be stolen or vandalized. Hiding your car away from plain view is a good way to keep intruders from knowing when you are at home or not.
Annual check-ups are important for alarm systems. Have a worker from the security company take a look at it. There are many things that can reduce the quality of your system. If it’s not visible, you might not even know there’s a problem.
End your shyness. Talk to your neighbors and those on your block. Ask them to keep an eye on your home, and do the same thing for them. Don’t ignore any gossip either. While this is unorthodox, it may clue you into a possible home security threat.
Walls are great for hiding things. If you have valuables that are small in size, you may want to hide them within your walls. You can use phone jacks or electric outlets as hiding spots. If you’re using all your outlets, you can install phony ones.
Have lights that sense motion. The lights will be triggered when someone gets too close to the house. This lets you know something is moving and also drives off criminals. Just remember to change out the bulbs every so often so the lights remain in working order.
When you pick an alarm system, it’s a good idea to get one that provides protection for both doors and windows. All windows can be entry spots for thieves. If you have an alarm attached to each of your windows and doors, you can keep track of all the entry points for your home. This is vital to keeping your family safe.
When dealing with a company installing your home security system, it is important that you trust your gut. If the installers give you the heebie-jeebies, it’s not a good sign. Never be afraid to ask for a new installer or to get an entirely new firm. The system and the company should put your mind at ease.
Make sure the wires of your home security system are completely hidden. A burglar will simply cut the wires if he can see them. Instead, make sure the wires are hidden. This makes it much less likely that your system will be compromised.
Do you live outside the city? You might be less worried about home invasions than if you lived in an urban area. There are some who believe country folk are more at risk because neighbors are not nearby. Other people believe rural areas are less likely to be targeted by burglars.
Keep flashlights in your rooms. Flashlights are essential since they let you move around in an emergency. Teach your children how to properly use flashlights.
Walls are excellent hiding spots. If you own smaller things that need protection, think about keeping them hidden in the walls. Just open up an electrical outlet or a phone jack that is not in use. Anything not used currently makes a good spot for hiding.
Moving into an apartment or home that you’ve lived in should involve changing the locks first to maker them safer. While you may trust those who lived there before you, you have no idea who lived there before them. You can even buy and install the locks yourself so you know that you are the only one with a key.
Don’t ever put your spare key under your doormat or in a planter. A key that is easily found is a convenience for a burglar, not just for you. Burglars are well aware of such hiding places. A better solution is to give your key to a neighbor you trust.
Before letting a home security representative inside, ask for identification. Intruders can easy pass themselves off as an employee of a security company just to get inside your house. This can lead to harm befalling your family and possessions. Use caution to stay out of danger.
You want all wires of an installed security system to be hidden. One of the ways an intruder can get around a security system is by disconnecting or cutting the wires. Don’t make it easier for them, so have wires hidden in the house’s walls or buried. That will make you safer.
Screen the references of anyone who would have access to your house. Check if they have any history of criminal activity. It is not a good idea to give anyone a key to your home, even contractors or repairmen.
When searching for methods of improving your home’s security, a great, inexpensive method of doing this is purchasing exterior lights with installed motion detectors. In the dark hours, these lights will provide the illumination necessary to protect your home and also save money by staying off when they’re not needed. If the lights are positioned correctly on your home, then it makes it much less likely for a burglar to enter.
If you’re going to hire a company that provides home security, read everything in the contract before you sign it. There are sometimes fees if you break a contract or need additional equipment. Avoid as many fees as you can by reading everything.
If a friend picks up your mail while you’re away, have them check for fliers on your door. This is a way people who are casing out your house can tell whether you are home or not. Fliers that are left behind signal to the burglar that there is no one at home.
The areas outside your home should be kept well lit. Nothing is as attractive to a burglar as a dark, deeply-shadowed house. The most important parts of your home to light are all of its potential access points. Having these outdoor lights installed can really work as a deterrent to criminals who are considering your house.
You need to get a good home surveillance system. Installing video cameras, both visible and hidden, are a great way to secure your home. Cameras that can be seen are an excellent tool for preventing most burglars from breaking into your home. However, if they are brave enough to try to disable your cameras, hidden cameras will capture them. Surveillance systems often allow you to access videos through your cell phone, too.
Install a surveillance system in your home. You can make a huge difference in your home’s security by putting in cameras whether they’re concealed or out in the open. Intruders can be deterred to visible cameras, but hidden cameras are better if criminals damage the other cameras. Some security systems can be accessed with cell phones, so you can check on your house while you are away.
Don’t leave empty boxes for big-ticket purchases outside on your curb. Burglars can see these and they know that you have them in your home, increasing your chances of a break-in. After removing the contents from these boxes, tear or cut them up.
Don’t give anyone an opportunity to see inside your garage in order to ward off robbers. Add some frosted glass panes to your windows to keep strangers from looking inside. Do not leave doors open for lengthy periods while you are doing work.
Speak with your security company about contract lengths and any options available. There are likely pros and cons to each. While your monthly rates may be lower with a lengthy contract, you have no recourse should you list your home for sale or terminate your contract. If you want more freedom, it is best to purchase a more expensive but shorter contract.
Make sure your address numbers are clearly visible from across the street. If the numbers aren’t legible, police may drive right by. Fortunately, the solution to this is quick, easy and rather cheap once you are aware of the need.
Avoid spring latch locks. These locks can easily be picked within a couple of minutes. All they have to do is wedge the card between the latch and door, then wiggle it. If you have spring latches already installed, consider adding deadbolts too.
Don’t fool yourself into thinking that your home is not a target for burglars because it’s not the fanciest house in the neighborhood. Thieves will hit any home that looks easy to get into. If you use the tips here to improve your home security, your family will be much safer.
If you aren’t at the house, keep the windows and curtains closed. You don’t want potential thieves knowing you are gone. When they’re open, it would be easy to see no one is there. It could be enticing to break in if they notice something that’s nice. It’s good to have them down at night, too.
ergonomic pillow
Hospital mattress protector
About The Author
