Does the topic of security systems overwhelm you? Are you unsure of how to even begin? Never fear; picking up a little basic knowledge will make you feel much more confident about making home security choices. The following information will give you everything you need to know.
When you buy a new home, be sure to have the locks changed. This is because you really have no idea who has keys, and therefore access to your home. Having a locksmith replace the locks will ensure that no strangers have a key. Be sure to cal a locksmith if you were to lose your keys as well.
Make your house look occupied all the time. Buy timers that will make your TVs, radios and other electronics turn on and turn off at various times. This will make your home appear as if someone is there. It is also another way to secure your home.
Don’t give the keys to your home to a professional cleaner unless you trust them completely. You should not let cleaners have your keys if you feel like you cannot trust them, or if they will be working in your home while you are away. Make sure you check references. If the house cleaner is employed by a company, check with the BBB of your area to determine their reputation.
Change all of your locks when you move in. You simply do not know how many keys to the old locks are floating around. Find a good locksmith who can replace the lock and make a few copies of your key. If you lose your keys, you should do the same thing.
Is your dog kept outside when you are away? He or she is actually a great place to store your spare key. Stash the key on the pup’s collar to keep it out of sight. This works especially well as storage if your pet isn’t too fond of strangers.
Secure your garage. Intruders can enter your home through an unlocked garage door. You can use a C-clamp to secure the door and prevent it from being opened by strangers.
Home security systems offer other triggering features besides having an alarm sound. Many systems can alert you whenever anyone has entered your home. Parents of children can track their kids this way.
Use your garage for your car and not for storage. Keeping your car in your house will deter intruders from vandalizing or stealing it. It will also keep any intruders from knowing when you’re home.
Get a safe to protect your valuable items. A safe is the best way to protect your diamonds, gold and important documents. Hide your safe in a hard to find place like the basement or attic.
Be brave! Converse with those living in your area. Agree to watch each other’s homes while you are away. It’s best to be in on any rumors in the area. You could learn important security information, such as if strangers have been lurking around the neighborhood.
When looking to purchase a good home security system, it is best that you look at many companies. Prices vary quite a bit. Be certain to obtain multiple quotes prior to making your choice.
Do you live outside the city? You might be less worried about home invasions than if you lived in an urban area. However, there is the belief that rural dwellers are more susceptible to break ins simply because there are no nearby neighbors. Then again, others think rural areas are not as much of a target.
Make sure the ringer on any phones in your home is turned off when you leave for vacation. A constantly ringing phone lets thieves know that you are not home and could increase the chances of you getting robbed.
If you buy expensive electronics or appliances, throw the packages away the day that your trash pickup occurs. Exposing the box to view ahead of time signals a burglar that he will find this item in your home.
You should regularly check your home security system, regardless of how reliable you believe it is. Have a worker from the security company take a look at it. Wild animals, domestic pets, and weather are all factors that can affect the reliability of your home security system. If you aren’t paying attention, you may not be aware of these problems.
If you’ve just gotten a home, replace every lock. Although you may trust the previous homeowner, you cannot be 100% sure of their character. Remember that different families might have dwelt there before this person.
Alter the combination of the locks in your home. Whether you just bought your home or someone just moved out that you were living with, this is an important step to any new situation. It is pretty cheap and the job won’t take more than a few hours.
Unless you’re moving into a brand-new apartment or home, changing the locks should be one of your top priorities. You do not want anyone to have a copy of the key. If you own, you can have the locks replaced and only you will have had the key.
Always ask for references before letting a contractor or a maid in your home. You should do a background check as well to find out their criminal history. Someone can seem nice and professional on the outside, but they may not be so nice on the inside.
Make sure the outside of the house is well lit. Nothing is as attractive to a burglar as a dark, deeply-shadowed house. Light up the dark spots around your home. Consider all your doors, porches, patios, decks, garages and all ground-level windows.
Landscape around your home with an eye to safety. Shrubs, trees, fences, etc. should not obstruct the view of your doors and windows. If criminals know you can see them, they are less likely to break in. Put landscaping farther away from the house for greater safety.
Put a surveillance system in your home. Having visible or hidden cameras can help immensely. A visible video camera acts as a warning to an intruder. If the intruder disables the visible camera, the hidden camera will document it! Surveillance systems often allow you to access videos through your cell phone, too.
Before checking out security systems for your home, think about your personal security and safety needs. Though such systems can be terrific for many, not everyone really needs one. You could, for instance, invest in an alarm system, some outside lights, adopt a dog or take some self-defense classes. Make sure you understand your risks so you can make wise purchasing decisions.
Man’s best friend can be one of the most effective anti-burglary systems. Usually, dogs protect their homes and when they sense something is wrong, they bark. You will get good results even if you do not have a large or vicious dog. Even the barking of a tiny dog can repel potential burglars, who want to avoid noises as they carry out their crimes.
Arrange for someone to pick up your mail and remove any fliers from your door if you are out of town. Sometimes burglars leave fliers in an attempt to see if anyone is home to remove them. If the flier is not moved, they know that the occupant is not around or on vacation.
If you are away, pull your shades closed. Leaving the curtains up invites people to peer into your living room. If they spot something desirable, they will seek access. You should have the windows covered when you’re asleep.
For improved security, put your home under video surveillance. Placing hidden and visible video cameras is a good way to keep your home secure. Intruders can be deterred to visible cameras, but hidden cameras are better if criminals damage the other cameras. A lot of surveillance cameras could be accessed through your phone, giving you the chance to check it even when you’re away.
Keep your car registration papers on you at all times. If someone finds them, they’ll know your address. Hide them somewhere else in the car, or carry them with you. You must have them on hand if the police stop you.
Don’t leave the boxes of any high priced electronics on the curb of your house. These boxes are a signal to burglars that you have something worth stealing. Break down the box, and take it to the local recycling center.
Now after taking in the above article you should have a good feel towards home security systems. You should apply the tips you just read to improve your current home security system or invest in a new one. You will be glad that you did, and it’s time to take care of this very important matter.
Never place a key in an obvious spot. A very obvious location is underneath fake rocks. The first place an intruder will likely look is under the doormat. A better idea is to have a friend or neighbor keep your emergency key. If you cannot do that, try to be creative when it comes to hiding places.
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