Is home security something you care about? Are you having a hard time finding a home security system you can afford? Are you interested in a cheaper solution? If so, you’ll be interested to know that you have many options to choose from. The following paragraphs have home security ideas and options to fit any budget.
Comparison shopping is essential when seeking a security system for the home. Prices can differ a lot among companies for the same type of protection. Be sure and get a minimum of three quotes from different companies prior to choosing one.
Is your dog outside even if you are away? They can help you with your spare key. You can attach your key to your dog’s collar in order to keep the key hidden. Your dog is an especially good key hiding spot if he doesn’t react well to strangers, since they won’t approach him, but the key will be there if you need it.
Make sure to use caution when deciding if and where to hide an extra key outside of your home. Too many people put their extra key under the mat in front of their door; burglars know to check there. You could hide the key with your dog on the collar.
Security Systems
Never allow any strangers into your home. Even people who claim to need help may be out to harm you. Some criminals will use any reason to gain access to look for security systems and easy entryways into your house.
The best home security systems do much more than sound the alarm (literally). Most security systems can facilitate alarm sounds anyone enters. This is important to parents who have small children, because they will want to know if the children have opened a door.
If your house has a garage, keep the car there, not just your junk. A car kept locked in a garage is much less likely to be stolen or damaged. This will also make it more difficult for burglars to track when you away from home.
Shop around when looking for a good home security system. Most companies have different price schemes for the the same general level of protection. Get at least 3 quotes from security system companies and compare features and services as well as monthly costs.
If you reside in the country, you may be less worried about break-ins than urban dwellers are. There are some who believe country folk are more at risk because neighbors are not nearby. Others think that rural places have less of a chance of being targets for burglars.
Hide your spare key in a place where no one would think to look for it. Above doors or under doormats are much too common to hide them and potential criminals will check them first. Try to find somewhere less obvious.
It is not a good idea to hide a spare key on your property. You might think that you are providing yourself a safe way into the house if you misplace your keys, but you are really inviting attackers inside. Any thief knows all the typical hiding spots. A better option is to entrust an honest neighbor with a spare key.
Buy housing materials that are fire resistant. This will give your home added security. Fire prevention is always a good idea, and sometimes it can be a lifesaving idea!
You never want people to be able to see your valuables from outside of your home. It may be great to have large windows with a view, but this means that people can look in. If your windows face a street, be sure they’re always covered and have your valuables safe.
Don’t post online when you’ll be away from your home. You may be very excited about your impending vacation, but there is no need to let potential burglars know when you will be gone.
Regardless of how long you plan on being away from your home, always lock all the doors and windows whenever you leave. A lot of times, burglaries happen due to carelessness. It can be a quick job for a burglar to steal items of great value.
Don’t let people into your house that you don’t know. This includes a salesperson or people looking for help. Some people will simply knock on your door to see whether or not there is a security system installed, and if there isn’t, they may target you later when you’re away.
Don’t throw away boxes for expensive or valuable items until the garbage collection day. Empty boxes for expensive new gear serve as advertisements to potentials thieves; don’t make it easy for them to spot such tempting targets.
You should never open your door to someone you do not know. Nowadays, thieves are creative when thinking of ways to get homeowners to open a door and let them in. Make sure everyone in your house knows not to open the door unless they know the person standing outside.
Just moved in? Time for new locks! It may seem as if the former owners of the home are honest, but really you don’t know much about them. Besides, other tenants or owners might have copies of the key if the previous owners did not change the locks.
You should not be shy. Talk to your neighbors. You’ll find that friendly neighbors make for a powerful support network. Keep an eye on their properties and they’ll respond in kind. It’s best to be in on any rumors in the area. You may hear valuable information regarding security, such as if any strangers have been hanging around.
Perform landscaping for your home which enhances your home’s safety. You should have a clear view out of all your windows and an unobstructed path to any doors. Do not give robbers a chance to hide in any area. Keep landscaping away from your house for safety reasons.
Don’t think you’re not at risk just because you don’t live in a big city. With neighbors so far away, it may seem like a tiny risk. Others feel rural residents have a lower risk of being burglarized.
Determine how much experience a home security company has before you decide to do business with them. A company that’s been around for a while has proven that their service is reliable. It also ensures they’re not a fly-by-night firm.
A secure hiding place can be created in a wall. Small items of value can be hidden for safety in your home’s walls. All you have to do is place them behind any unused phone jack, electrical outlet or switch plate. You can also install a fake one.
If you don’t own a paper shredder, get one. Thieves often dig through garbage to obtain personal data that will help them enter the house. Cutting the papers into small pieces with a pair of scissors is another option.
Use the spaces in your home’s walls to store valuables. It is not necessary to cut out pieces from your wall. There are lots of places around the home that have pre-cut areas that you can use. Remove the wires from an electric socket you do not use so you can hide your valuable jewelry.
Put up video surveillance. Installing video cameras, both visible and hidden, are a great way to secure your home. If a burglar can see them, they are likely to go away. Find a security system that gives you the option to view the video feed from your phone so you can check on your home at anytime.
Believe it or not, the wires on your house are worth stealing. Many people do not realize this until a crook steals it off of their home. A skilled intruder could remove all the copper from your home within less than an hour. This is why the wiring should be hidden or difficult to get to.
Make sure no one can look inside your garage. Use a frosted film to cover the windows. This can be purchased at many hardware stores. If you use your garage for working on projects, don’t forget to lock it when you’re through working for the day.
Before you let any strangers enter your home, be sure you look over their references. A background check is also recommended so you know if they have a criminal history. You might not know that the maid or contractor entering your home is a crook, and this could be a very bad mistake.
Can someone standing in the middle of the street see clearly your house numbers? If you have an emergency, it will be hard for the police to find your house quickly if your numbers are hidden or too small to read. Fortunately, it doesn’t require much to fix this problem.
Motion Detectors
Make sure that your key is in a hidden place. If you place it under a rock, a good robber will find it. Anyone looking for your key will look under your doormat. It’s best to ask a trusted friend or even a neighbor to hold the extra key. When this isn’t an option, you should at least use your imagination when choosing a hiding place.
If you wish to boot your home’s security, one cheap way to do this is to buy exterior lights with motion detectors. These lights will keep your property well lit and give you a good idea of who approaches your home. With good positioning and properly set motion detectors, intruders will not be able to sneak up on your home unnoticed.
Don’t make an obvious or easy password for your numeric keypad lock. Anyone can get your birthdate off mail or your Facebook page and will therefore have access to your home. Instead, come up with a trickier password that only you will know the answer to.
Keep your home’s exterior areas illuminated well. Thieves like to commit crimes when no one can see. Install a light in any area a potential intruder can get into your home. Don’t forget that this includes ground-level windows as well as doors, garages, and porches.
Purchase a timer to put your lights on and off during the day. This helps the lights stay on and continue to switch even when you’re away from your home.
If you come to your home and discover that your door has been left open, avoid investigating by yourself. The thief might still be inside, and you don’t have any idea whether or not they are armed. Request that the police come and have them go in and check it out, before you go in yourself.
If you have valuable items that cannot be replaced, you must keep them under lock and key. This can include items like important photos, passports, pricey jewelry, and legal documents. You can buy a cheap floor safe to put these items in. You can also rent out a safety deposit box.
Shred any documents and junk mail that contains identifying information. Thieves can often be found looking through garbage cans in search of personal information found on bills and credit card slips. If you don’t want a shredder, rip the papers up manually.
Even if the former homeowners seem pleasant, you should still replace all of the locks when you move in. Regardless of whether you are renting or buying, you should either re-key the locks yourself, or request that your landlord take care of it for you.
It all depends on what you are able to afford when it comes to home security. If you cannot afford an expensive system, you should adopt better habits to keep your home safe. This article should have inspired you to think about your options. Included were some great tips to help you defend your home and save you the most money in the process.
Do not allow rooms in your home to be visible while looking from outside. Thieves are always on the lookout for highly visible expensive equipment. Try installing drapes or blinds so that people outside can’t see what you have inside. If you can’t do this, put your valuable belongings in areas that cannot be seen from outside.
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