The home security market is rather large. No matter what kind of neighborhood you live in, home burglaries can strike anywhere and at anytime. Criminals often target homes with minimal security. Read on for ideas and insights into protecting your home, your family, and your valuables.
Your faithful dog makes a great hiding spot for a spare key. This will come in handy if your dog is outdoors most of the time or if it can go outside through a pet door. Put a key on the dog’s collar so you have access to it when necessary!
Make sure that you change the locks once you’ve taken possession of the house. You don’t know the exact number of copies of that key the previous owners have or have handed out. Having a locksmith replace the locks will ensure that no strangers have a key. When you lose your keys, have your locks rekeyed.
Home security systems offer additional features besides loud alarms during a break-in. The majority of systems will give an audible alert when someone enters the house. This can be valuable to parents with small children as they are made aware their child has opened or closed a door.
Make sure you trust your house cleaner before you provide them with a key. If you plan to give them a key so they can clean in your home while you are away, ensure they are reputable and honest. Check the housekeeper’s references very carefully. If you hire a cleaner from a company, then you should check the company with the BBB.
Shop around when looking for a good home security system. Each company has different rates for their security system. Get quotes from several companies before making a decision.
Buy a safe. This will keep your stash of diamonds, gold and other valuable items out of view and inaccessible to burglars. Hide that safe in a difficult-to-reach place like in a closet inside your basement or an attic.
Before selecting a security firm, ask for recommendations. They probably have both positive and negative things to tell you, and those comments will help you make your own decision. Do your research; it will help you make a good decision in the end.
Ask friends for some advice before choosing home security companies and systems. Other people will probably have personal experience with these companies that are either good or bad. They can share their experiences with you, which will greatly assist you in making the best decision. Ask around so you’ll have as much advice as you need in order to make a sound decision.
Keep your car in the garage. 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.
Before leaving for vacation, turn off the ringers in your house. If the phone continues to ring while you’re gone, this lets an intruder know that the home is empty.
There’s no security system so durable that it can go without regular maintenance and inspections. Have yours checked out once a year. Get a security comapny tech to check it. Mother nature can sneak in and cause many problems. You may not even know there is a problem if it is not visible.
Do not let people you don’t know in your house. Stay true to your safety, even if it appears the person has legitimate reasons for wanting entry. This person might just be casing the joint to see if there is home security equipment.
Have lights that sense motion. These are lights that turn on whenever any living thing gets too close to your home. This will discourage would be thieves and alert you to any movement on your property. Get in the habit of checking and replacing the bulbs as necessary to ensure the lights remain effective.
You should never open your door to someone you do not know. People often think of ways to trick others into letting them in so they can steal from them. Never open the door to anyone you do not know.
When choosing an alarm system, consider one that offers protection for more than just your doors. Each window represents a possible entry for your thief. Get an alarm that will trigger if either the doors or windows are opened. This will make your family safer.
Eliminate dead vegetation and rotting wood from the yard each summer. These can quickly become fire hazards when hit by direct sunlight, placing your house at risk. You can prevent disasters by keeping your yard clean.
Change all of the locks in your new residence. The old owners may seem nice, but you don’t know everything about them. Many other people could have keys to the property, and you probably don’t want them to all have access to your home.
Security System
Be sure to replace rotten wood in the frame of your front door. An intruder can simply pry away that rotted wood and enter your home. Replace dead wood with thick, firm pieces to maintain a high level of security.
You should regularly check your home security system, regardless of how reliable you believe it is. Get a professional in to check it out. Wild animals or plain old nature can wreak havoc on your home security system. If you don’t see the problem, you may remain unaware of it.
When allowing a representative from any security company to enter your home, look for someone in uniform and ask to see an identification. Burglars are creative, and they often pose as a member of the security team to get inside. This can lead to harm befalling your family and possessions. Take care to steer clear of danger.
Go with your gut when choosing a home security company to install a system. If the installers give you the heebie-jeebies, it’s not a good sign. You should not hesitate to ask if you can work with a different representative or find a different company if you are not comfortable. The system and the company should put your mind at ease.
A simple way to increase your home security is to add motion lights around the house. Motion detection lights will turn on as soon as something or someone enters your yard. If placed strategically around the house, motion detectors can make it very tough for criminals to get to your property.
The walls are a perfect hiding place. If you have small valuables you want to protect, consider hiding them inside your walls. You could utilize an electrical outlet, phone jack, or unused switch plate. You put in a fake plate if there aren’t any unused in your home.
Invest in a high quality paper shredder. Thieves can use this information to figure out your schedule and determine the best time to break in. If you don’t have a paper shredder, tear the papers up.
If you’ve recently moved into a house, get any locks changed out. Although you may trust the previous homeowner, you cannot be 100% sure of their character. You should also keep in mind that other people may have lived in the home before the previous homeowner.
If someone looks after your house when you’re gone, have them remove fliers from the door. Burglars sometimes place fliers as a means to see if anyone is home to remove them. If it stays where they put it, they will know you are on vacation.
If your door is set in a rotted frame, you must replace the frame. The rotten wood will be simple to remove, allowing a thief access to your home. Therefore, replace rotted wood with fresh wood to ensure your home’s safety.
Consider a surveillance system for your home and property. You can make a huge difference in your home’s security by putting in cameras whether they’re concealed or out in the open. Also, you can capture the intruder in the act. Nowadays, you can track your surveillance on your own cell phone.
If you move to a dwelling that has had prior occupants, make sure you get the locks changed. The person who used to live there may still have a key. You might even purchase and install your own locks so that you are assured of having the only keys.
Don’t leave empty boxes for big-ticket purchases outside on your curb. Burglars will see these boxes and recognize that there are new valubles in your house. Remember to cut up the boxes when they’re emptied.
Before allowing any security company reps to come into your home, make sure they have on a uniform and they have valid ID. Thieves may say they are from a certain company to get into your home. This situation presents danger to your home, family and belongings. Act cautiously to avoid potential dangers.
Speak with your security company about contract lengths and any options available. They all likely have different benefits and downsides. A contract that is longer might offer lower monthly payments, but you may have to continue with these if you decide to sell the house or discontinue services. While the monthly rates may be higher for a short-term contract, this option is more flexible.
The areas outside your home should be kept well lit. Burglars like the cover of darkness to commit their crimes. Be sure and have a light next to any entry point in your home. Consider all your doors, porches, patios, decks, garages and all ground-level windows.
If the cost of maintenance is a concern, a hard-wired system may be your best choice. A wireless system is a good option but you will have to replace batteries regularly. Your home security system will not function properly if you do not change the batteries. Replacing several batteries will quickly add up.
Think about your personal security needs before you purchase a home security system. You might find that an alarm isn’t necessary at all. Sometimes you may just want to invest in a dog or self-defense classes. Be aware of your risks to make an intelligent purchasing decisions.
Any priceless items need to be secured. It is best to keep items such as passports, legal documents, photos and financial records in a spot that is secure. Floor safes may come in handy for this purpose. A better choice is storing them outside your home in a deposit box at the bank.
Ask about the various contract lengths offered by a home security company. They probably each have their pluses and negatives. A long term contract should have a lower monthly rate but it also requires you to commit for a long period of time. Shorter contracts mean more freedom along with higher costs.
Common security problems in homes include sliding glass doors. They can be simply unlocked with a lift and a shake. You can install a security channel to protect your sliding glass door and/or cut a piece of pipe or a dowel that fits into the door channel. This will help keep the door tightly closed and make it hard to open.
If the living room window in your home has direct line of sight to the street, you’ll want to draw those curtains at night. Don’t let anyone see inside. If burglars spot the expensive items in your house, they may want to hit you next. Be discreet about what the public can see and you can reduce your chances of getting burglarized.
Always lock all your windows, even the ones on the second floor. People think no burglar will get up to that floor. This isn’t true. This is known as a common weak spot, and criminals know all about this.
Maintaining a secure residence is important to ensure the safety of your family. You never know when a criminal might strike. Remember what you’ve read and be sure and implement the tips provided. Don’t waste another minute. Act on matters of home security while you still can.
Women are much more likely to be targeted for a home invasion, especially if they live by themselves or with children. Place big muddy boots near the front door so it looks like a male lives there. This will definitely deter criminals from entering your home.
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