If you want to make the right choices with regards to home security, you’ll need to have a solid grasp of the market. This isn’t something to be taken lightly. Go over this article to learn more about home security and how you can protect your home.
After getting a new home, make sure to change its locks. The previous owners or tenants might have made several copies of the key. To make sure you have the only access to the home, hire a locksmith. Be sure to cal a locksmith if you were to lose your keys as well.
Look for ways to make your home seem occupied. Timers can be used to turn lights and televisions on and off when required. This gives off the appearance that someone is home. This is great for keeping a home safer from burglaries.
Does your dog remain outside while you’re gone? Your dog is an excellent place to hide your spare key. Hook your key to the dog’s collar in a place that is shielded from view. This works especially well as storage if your pet isn’t too fond of strangers.
Beware giving keys to your maid unless the service has your absolute trust. When giving your house cleaner the key to your home, you need to be sure that they are reputable and honest. It is best to do a reference check on them. If this professional is from a company, it’s best to check with the Better Business Bureau to see what kind of reputation they have.
Buy a safe. If a burglar enters your home, he or she will have a hard time making off with your possessions. The safe should be situated in an inconspicuous area of your home.
Buy a small home safe that you can use to keep your valuables in. This is important, since you don’t want your valuables exposed to a potential intruder. Hide that safe in a difficult-to-reach place like in a closet inside your basement or an attic.
Compare various home security systems when shopping. The prices can vary a great deal for the same level of protection from company to company. Be sure and get a minimum of three quotes from different companies prior to choosing one.
Spare Key
If you have an extensive online presence that includes a lot of people you don’t know too well, avoid announcing upcoming vacations. Potential intruders could get a good idea of when you will be gone by monitoring what you share on social networks.
Don’t just hide your spare key anywhere. You don’t want to put them in common spots, such as above the frame of the door or under the doormat. For a better solution, try tucking your spare key into your dog’s collar, provided you have an outside dog.
In the summer, remove vegetation and dead wood from your yard. When summer heats up, such debris can catch fire. Clear yard regularly to maintain your house safe.
The materials of your home should be fire resistant. This will help ensure the safety of your home, particularly if your home is located in a dry area. Fire prevention is paramount.
You should always park your car inside your garage instead of using your garage to store some belongings. It won’t be vandalized or stolen this way. This will also make it more difficult for burglars to track when you away from home.
When planning to go away for a holiday, be sure to turn off the ringers on your home phones. A burglar might hear your phone ring and ring and ring, then realize that you are not home to answer it.
Avoid coming across as overly shy. Get to know other people who live next door and others in your neighborhood. Keep an eye on their houses and yards and request that they return the favor. It does not necessarily pay to steer clear of gossip. It is often a good way to find out about security issues, such as strangers in the neighborhood.
Eliminate dead vegetation and rotting wood from the yard each summer. These can be fire hazards and can cause damage to your home. Keep your yard clear of debris to keep your house safe.
A wall is a great hiding place. Jewelry and other small items can be protected very well when placed in hiding places in your walls. Any phone jack or electrical outlet that isn’t being used is a great place to hide valuables. If you have no unused plates, you can put in a fake one.
Motion sensor lights on the exterior of your home is a great idea. This type of light will come on when they detect motion within a certain distance of your home. You will be alerted to movement, but most importantly, it will deter burglars or at least make you aware of their presence. Test the bulbs frequently, though.
When you pick an alarm system, it’s a good idea to get one that provides protection for both doors and windows. Intruders can enter through your windows too. Every single entry point needs to have monitoring on it. This is just one more thing you can do to protect your home.
Security starts with new locks. Not everyone who leaves your house will leave happy, and a fresh set of locks will protect you from both former residents and acquaintances of your own looking to cause mischief. Changing the locks can typically be done very cheaply and quickly.
Remove and replace any wood that is not up to par. Rotten wood can be removed in order to get inside your home. Keep your home secure by replacing rotted wood with fresh timber.
Your flashlights should always be equipped with good, working batteries. If the power goes out, you will be able to see everything. Teach your children how to use the flashlights so that everyone in your household can help.
Before allowing anyone into your home, check their references carefully. Conduct background checks if necessary. You never know if the maid, repairman or contractor you hire is on the up and up, and letting them in or giving them a key could be a fatal mistake.
If you move into a home or apartment that has been previously lived in, the first thing you should do is change the locks. Even though the previous tenant may have turned in their key, you never know if they have a copy. It is possible to purchase and put in locks on your own so you can be assured you have the only keys.
Think about a wireless security system for your home. These systems are much more efficient and can save you time and hassle. On the other hand, wireless systems use their own power and have easier installations.
Keep lights on at all times if you want to prevent break-ins from happening. They prefer not to be seen. If your home is well lit, thieves won’t have any place to hide, so they may not want to steal anything from you. If you want to stay secure, keep your house brightly lit.
If you don’t own a paper shredder, it would be a good idea for you to buy one. Many thieves sift through trash for personal info and to figure out when you plan to be away. You could also simply take care to tear up your discarded papers.
Keep safety at the forefront when landscaping your property. The doors and windows of your home should not be obstructed by trees, fences or shrubs. If criminals know you can see them, they are less likely to break in. Put landscaping farther away from the house for greater safety.
Is your street number on your house visible from the street? During an emergency crisis, smaller numbers prevent emergency personnel from finding your home quickly. Luckily, this is an issue that can be fixed quickly.
See how long the home security company has been around before you make any decisions. Companies who have been around for years will show that they have what it takes to succeed. In addition, it proves that they provide people with reliable services they can depend on. You should not trust a company that does not have a good record with your local Better Business Bureau or few years of experience.
Ask about the various contract lengths offered by a home security company. You will probably find there are many pros and cons associated with each different contract. Longer contracts may offer more affordable monthly payments; however, it may be hard to cancel that contract should you decide to change services or sell your house. While a short contract provides you with extra freedom, it can cost you more for each month.
If you get home and the door is open, don’t go in. This is dangerous because the thief may be right inside. Request that the police come and have them go in and check it out, before you go in yourself.
Ask the security company you hire whether they have lights with motion sensors. Most companies will offer this service, and it illuminates the outside of the house whenever there is any movement. This makes your home safer because it warns intruders away.
Can you see the number of your house from the street? In the event of an emergency, police officers may have trouble finding your house if they cannot read your address numbers. Thankfully if you notice a problem it’s an easy and cheap thing to fix.
Most people try to avoid the neighborhood gossip, but you should try to get them in your good graces. Your neighbors will probably notice people lurking near your house when you are gone. When you’re on good terms with them, you are more likely to receive word of any unusual activity.
Inquire whether a security company offers variable contract lengths. They all likely have different benefits and downsides. Longer agreements may cost less per month, but you may not be able to get out of the contract if you need to. A short contract may seem more expensive each month, but you have more freedom.
Go straight to a home security company to buy your system rather than going through a middle man. A re-seller simply wants to make money, and they generally don’t have your best interests at heart. By doing business with a manufacturer, you are guaranteed a lower price and more generous warranty terms.
You should now know more about home security systems. There is no point in going blindly into home security. Keep in mind that your decisions will affect the safety of your home and family. Take the ideas discussed here under advisement as you assess your own security needs.
Keep your carbon monoxide and smoke detectors well cleaned. Lint and dust can build up and this can affect the sensors. These devices could be rendered useless if not properly taken care of.
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