Creating a home that is safe can feel like a daunting task. But, it need not be time-consuming or costly. Read the following article to learn what steps you can take with regards to home security.
Let a house cleaner have your keys only if they can provide you with references so you can verify their trustworthiness. When giving your house cleaner the key to your home, you need to be sure that they are reputable and honest. One way to do this is to check their references. Contact your local Better Business Bureau to find out more about the reputation of the cleaner you hired.
Spare Key
Does your dog stay outside while you are gone? He or she is actually a great place to store your spare key. You can attach your key to your dog’s collar in order to keep the key hidden. If your dog is suspicious of strangers, you have found a good hiding place for your key.
Man’s best friend can also be trusted to secure a spare key. In order to make this work, your dog either needs to stay outside or have access to a pet door. Latch the key on his collar and voila–you have a spare key available!
When in the process of purchasing a home-security system, be sure to comparison shop. Prices vary quite a bit. Obtain quotes from a minimum of three home security companies before making a final decision.
Once you buy a house, switch out the locks. The person who previously owned the home may have made copies of keys. You want to be sure that you’re the only one with a key. Give a key to someone you trust in case you get locked out.
Make sure that you hide your spare key in a good spot. 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.
The only time you should give out house keys to house cleaners is if you absolutely trust them. Be sure to check out the background of any housekeeper you plan to provide with a key to your home. Check references thoroughly. Contact your local Better Business Bureau to find out more about the reputation of the cleaner you hired.
Don’t be afraid to know the people who live near you. Talk to your neighbors. Agree to watch each other’s homes while you are away. Don’t discount what sounds like idle gossip. Important security details (like the presence of strangers in your neighborhood) can come out of the most innocent conversations.
If there are people you don’t know that have access to your social media sites, then you don’t want to let all of them know you’re on vacation. While it is exciting to go to a new place and have a good time, you are letting thieves know that your house will be empty and they can come right in.
You can hide things in your walls. Jewelry and other small items can be protected very well when placed in hiding places in your walls. Target any unused phone jacks or electrical outlets for an easy hiding spot. Installing a false unused plate is very easy to do if your home doesn’t have one.
Don’t let people into your home unless you know them. No matter what the excuse the person presents, keep them from entering your home. Even home security representatives could be intruders who want to check the kind of protection you have.
Don’t put your extra key under you doormat, in a planter, or in a cleverly disguised false rock. A key that is easily found is a convenience for a burglar, not just for you. Intruders know about the usual hiding spots. Instead, have a trustworthy neighbor hold on to your spare key.
Police Department
Your valuables should not be easily seen from outside your home. Although large windows in your home can provide your home with a lot of light, they can also provide burglars with an excellent view of the inside of your home. Blinds are a great way to allow the light in, without allowing people to see in at the same time.
See what your local police department offers in terms of home protection programs. 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. Contact the police department to see if they have something similar.
It is important that your alarm system wiring is not exposed anywhere. Easily-accessible security wiring is a definite weak point in your home’s protection; the best alarm system in the world is useless if it’s easily disabled. Never make things easy for them. Ask the person installing it to bury the wires or hide them inside the walls. Keep yourself safe.
If you have a garage, increase your home security by using it to house your car, rather than just for storage. Keeping your car secured will prevent people from vandalizing it. Hiding the car from plain sight can keep possible intruders from figuring out when you’re home and also when you are not.
Are you aware that the wires located on the exterior of your house have value? Some intruders could strip your home of every bit of copper. The wiring has copper and is easy to be quickly taken off a home. Make sure the wiring is concealed or difficult to access in order to keep this valuable item safe.
Be bold. It is important to communicate with others who also live in your area. Watch their houses, and ask if they’d do the same. Also consider listening in on some of the neighborhood gossip. Important security details (like the presence of strangers in your neighborhood) can come out of the most innocent conversations.
Having your house lit up during the night is a good way to scare intruders. They do not want to be seen. Thieves have a hard time stealing things when there are lots of lights around. Keep your home lit up all night long.
Understand certain safety precautions when it comes to having skylights for your home. Although a skylight can bring light into one’s home and look good, it’s also a common entrance way for burglars. Fix your skylights so they cannot be accessed as an entry point by intruders.
Research how long a security company has been in the business before contracting with them. Companies with a long history can give you the best service for many years. You should not trust a company that does not have a good record with your local Better Business Bureau or few years of experience.
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. To provide maximum security, wiring should be laid underground or installed safely within the walls of your house. Your system will be far more effective this way.
Get your home security system custom built for your needs. Everyone has different needs, and your security system should be designed to protect your home and family. If you find a company that will tailor the plan you choose to your needs, you can get the highest level of security that makes you feel comfortable.
If you are moving into a new home, change the locks right away. Although the previous owner should not have a key, there is no way for you to know this. You can do your own installation to make sure that no one else has a key.
Use a wireless security system. Systems that are wired can be a little cheaper, but may need significant reworking of your home’s electrical wiring and can fail in a power outage. Wireless systems tend to be easier for installation and maintenance, and they will not go out if your power does.
You can keep intruders away by always having your house lit up. Intruders will avoid being noticed. It makes it look like you are home and makes it difficult for thieves to hide. This makes it a good idea to keep the lights on.
If you don’t own a paper shredder, it would be a good idea for you to buy one. Thieves are likely to steal documents that include your personal information if they can find them. Rip your important papers up before throwing them away if you can’t get a shredder.
Look online for a reputable home security business. Look at various sites and read customer testimonials, along with details on various packages. After reading about these services, you can narrow down the results and use appointments for price comparisons.
There is no need to have keyed locks on interior doors. Some locks will allow you to punch in a code to gain access to the room. Either you can install them or home security companies can.
You should think about your own safety when comparing different home security options. While these systems could be good for protecting your family, they aren’t for everyone. Sometimes just taking a class in self defense or adopting a loud dog is enough, while at other times a full fledged security system might be the way to go. Understand completely the risks and rewards in order to make an informed purchase decision.
Keep your curtains pulled tight when you are away from home. By failing to do so, you are granting a prime view of your house and your belongings. If they spot an item they’re interested in, they will most likely try to enter. Close your drapes or blinds while you are asleep, too.
Look into wireless security systems. Although wired systems are usually more affordable, they usually involve changing out the wires of your home. As a result, if a power outage occurs, these wires will probably not be effective. The easy of installation and maintenance when it comes to wireless set-ups makes them the best bet.
You should not keep your auto registration papers in the glove compartment. If someone finds them, they’ll know your address. Instead, carry them with you or find a more secure location in your car. You must have this information on hand if you are stopped for a traffic violation.
Spring Latch
When it comes to security, sliding doors aren’t very safe. They are easily unlocked just by lifting and shaking. If you do not have a security system hooked up to them, cut a length of pipe to fit in the door channel. This keeps the door wedged closed so that it is harder to pry open.
Don’t get spring latch locks. Just one credit card can get a burglar access to your home. An intruder has only to press the card into the doorjamb between latch and the door and the lock will pop open. Put in a deadbolt for more security if your doors already contain spring latch locks.
Dog owners, especially those with large, tough pets, have a leg up in the home security game. A large, vocal dog is an unwelcome sight to would-be home invaders. Consider getting a large dog that may protect your family, but is also great with your kids.
When you aren’t home, make sure your windows are covered. If you leave them open, potential burglars can look in and case the joint. They may break in if they spot something that they like. You should also have them down when you are sleeping.
Try to purchase your security system direct from the company, rather than from a re-seller. Re-sellers are out to score quick money, and they likely won’t offer you any guarantees. By dealing with the original company, you will know you are not having to pay unnecessary fees, and can feel confident that you will be able to secure continued service.
You should be more prepared to keep your home safe after reading the tips here. Start the change today. You will quickly have a house that always feels safe no matter what time of day. You’ll find yourself more relaxed before you know it.
It is always best to not put your expensive belongings on display in the windows where everyone can see. If your valuables are visible from the street, it poses a danger. Get some nontransparent window dressing so that people can’t see into your home. If this is not a possibility, keep really valuable stuff in interior rooms.
DuPont Fiber bed pillow
wholesale mattress protector twin xl
mattress and box spring covers
About The Author
