How much do you value your home security? Are you having a hard time finding a home security system you can afford? Are you always on the lookout for more affordable options? There are some great alternatives that you can use. Read on to find out more.
Don’t give your keys to a house cleaner unless you totally trust them. Be sure any home cleaner you give your key to is trustworthy and reputable. It is best to do a reference check on them. If they work for a firm, call the local Better Business Bureau to find out that firm’s reputation.
Does your dog like to play in your yard? If so, you can use your dog to hide your spare key. Put it on your dog’s collar, making sure it is hidden. This is an especially good idea if your dog doesn’t like strangers, and gives you easy access to get in your home.
Don’t let everyone in your social network know that you are leaving the home unprotected for your vacation trip; especially the people who you aren’t familiar with. Although it’s fun to talk about, posting it online makes it more possible for criminals to find out when you’re gone.
A home security system has other features in addition to sounding an alarm when there is a break-in. Many systems can be used to go off whenever anyone enters your home. This is important to parents who have small children, because they will want to know if the children have opened a door.
Do you live outside the city? You might be less worried about home invasions than if you lived in an urban area. Some people think that country folk are mainly targeted since they don’t have nearby neighbors. You need to do some research on the areas where you live to get an idea of how frequent break ins are.
It’s important to comparison shop for alarm systems. Different companies can provide equivalent levels of service and security, but their prices can vary wildly. Get a quote from several companies before making a final decision.
Never throw out boxes for expensive items until the day your trash is picked up. Having these boxes around for a while will give people an idea of what is inside your house.
Garage Doors
When moving into your new house, change every lock. The previous owner may be perfectly respectable, but you can’t know that for sure. Keep in mind that there may have been residents prior to that person too.
Secure your garage. There is a solution for people that are worried about burglars going into their home through an attached garage. A C-clamp is very useful for garage doors that lift on tracks. It will prevent garage doors from opening up whenever it is near the roller and is tight on the track.
If you scheduled an appointment for a member of the security company to come to your house, ask them to show you some identification first. Potential burglars can easily claim they are security company representatives so that they can enter your home. This can be extremely dangerous to your home and loved ones. Proceed with caution.
When dealing with companies that install home security systems, it’s important to trust your gut. This is particularly true if you feel uncomfortable with a company you are dealing with. If you simply are not comfortable with a company’s technician, request for another technician or simply hire another company. Your security system is supposed to help you, not cause you more stress.
One relatively inexpensive way to add an extra layer of protection to your home is to install motion sensor lights for the exterior of your home. In the dark hours, these lights will provide the illumination necessary to protect your home and also save money by staying off when they’re not needed. If strategically placed, motion detectors ensure that it’s difficult for intruders to break into your home sight unseen.
Rural Areas
When hiring a home security company, make sure to read the fine print on the contract you are signing. There might be hidden costs or other things you should know about. It is best to know all you can about a service you sign up for.
People in rural areas are not usually as worried about burglaries as people in cities. Some people feel that rural residents lead riskier lives because they are far away from neighbors. Other people believe rural areas are less likely to be targeted by burglars.
For maximum safety, your home needs bright exterior lighting. A burglar prefers to sneak around in the dark, and a well lit house is always a deterrent. Make sure to have lights anywhere an intruder might enter. Having these outdoor lights installed can really work as a deterrent to criminals who are considering your house.
Don’t put spare keys inside plant boxes or beneath the welcome mat. Though you might think that you’re giving yourself something you could use to get into your house when you’ve lost your keys, you’re actually inviting intruders inside your house. Thieves are aware of all these spots. You should have a trusted neighbor keep a spare key.
Think about your personal security needs before you purchase a home security system. Generic systems aren’t for everyone. In some particular neighborhoods, classes for self defense or acquiring a dog may be the best option. However, the newest home security technology may be the best protection in other regions. Make sure you understand your risks so you can make wise purchasing decisions.
If you purchase big-ticket items, don’t throw their boxes in the trash before trash day. These boxes sitting outside your home serve as a flag for thieves to target your home.
Anytime you come home and notice that the door is open whenever you are quite certain you closed it, don’t enter on your own to investigate. The thief may remain inside. Instead, call the police to inform them of what happened, and wait on them.
Change all of the locks in your new residence. The previous owner may be perfectly respectable, but you can’t know that for sure. Also, there have likely been other owners of the home, and you don’t know them either.
If you are out of town for awhile, ask a friend to take a look at your door for any fliers. Canny burglars will often produce and distribute their own fliers so that they can see whether or not anyone takes them down. If the flier is not removed, they will know you are not home.
Purchase flashlights that have good batteries, and keep them in every room in your home in case the power goes out. Power outages are common to all sorts of emergency situations, so having flashlights handy will enable you to maneuver in the dark. Make sure everyone in your family knows where the flashlights are.
A dog is a great home security alarm. Dogs naturally protect their homes and they make lots of noise when things go wrong. There is no need for a guard dog. Even the barking of a tiny dog can repel potential burglars, who want to avoid noises as they carry out their crimes.
Keep your outdoor areas well lit. Burglars like the cover of darkness to commit their crimes. Light up the dark spots around your home. Having these outdoor lights installed can really work as a deterrent to criminals who are considering your house.
Ask your home-security company about what contract lengths they provide to their customers. Each has its advantages and disadvantages. 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 offer greater freedom, but may be more expensive each month.
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You should think about a wired system if maintenance is a concern. A wireless system is a good option but you will have to replace batteries regularly. Neglecting this maintenance can cause faults in your security system and leave you improperly protected. It can be expensive to replace a ton of batteries.
Don’t use spring-latch locks. These are very easy to pick by simply using a credit card. Intruders simply wedge a credit card between the door and latch, triggering the lock to open. If you are already using locks that operate on spring latches, improve your security by adding a deadbolt.
If you have a door that isn’t solid wood or metal, change it for either one. Those are the doors that last. If a thief tried to kick the door, he would not be successful in doing so. Make sure to replace exterior doors for the cheapest amount possible.
You should always keep your blinds and curtains closed. Intruders can see into your home if they are left up. If they spot an item they’re interested in, they will most likely try to enter. You should have the windows covered when you’re asleep.
When it comes to security, sliding doors aren’t very safe. These can become unlocked very easy by burglars. A pipe cut the right length should be wedged in the door if you have no security system. The pressure applied by the pipe provides added security and makes forcing a sliding door open a much less trivial matter.
Ask whether companies offer options to lease or buy your security equipment. It may be more expensive to buy equipment at the outset; however, you may save money in the long run if you are free from monthly payments. Leasing is usually the cheaper option; however, it does mean higher monthly bills and a contract. Investigate each option and determine which makes more sense.
Although locks sealed inside are okay, they are useless if they can’t be locked from the outside. Use a deadbolt which has a key on the outside and inside for the best security.
If you keep a spare key outside, make sure it is not kept in an obvious location. The classic fake rock is too common and too easy to detect. A doormat is obvious, and a burglar is sure to look there. The best idea is just to ask a friend or neighbor to hang on to a key for you. If you cannot do that, try to be creative when it comes to hiding places.
Try to screen the interior of your home from being seen from the exterior. If expensive electronics are easy to see from the outside, burglars will see them as well. Window treatments are a wonderful way to maintain privacy in your home. If you don’t think this is possible in a certain room, put more valuable items in a different room.
Consider a hard-wired security system if you are concerned about ongoing maintenance costs. While there is a greater level of convenience if you go wireless, there is also a requirement that several batteries be changed, sometimes multiple times a year. If you do forget to have them changed, the system will not work right. Buying new batteries to replace the old ones can get expensive.
Criminals are afraid of video surveillance systems. You may see burglars in movies wearing masks, but that is fiction. Many people who burglarize homes don’t cover their faces at all since they have no intention of ever being seen. If they see surveillance systems, they will probably leave.
All doors leading into your home should be made from solid wood or metal. Doors made of these materials are sturdy. A burglar would not be able to kick that door in. A strong exterior door is a good investment, (they’re very durable!) so make sure all of your home’s doors are tough.
Some intruders will knock on your door and convince you to let them into your home, for instance by asking for help. Tell anyone at your door asking to use your phone that you’ll call on their behalf. If you feel afraid and uneasy, simply call the police.
Motion Sensitive Lighting
Did you know that even your garbage can affect your home security? If you bought something expensive, and you leave the boxes out for anyone to see, a burglar will probably target your home. Even a simple appliance can signal intruders that you’ve got money and that you’re a good target to break into.
Find out if you can get motion sensitive lighting from your security company. This is often an option from a good company. Motion sensitive lighting turns on when a person approaches your home in the dark. Motion sensitive lighting can scare off an intruder and allow you to safely enter your home.
Rather than simple outdoor lighting, consider installing infrared detection lights. Such lights are activated whenever someone draws near. This can startle a thief into leaving your property. A burglar will instantly turn away if lights come on.
You can only do what’s affordable when it comes to home security. If you aren’t able to spend too much, there are cheaper alternatives that are equally effective at keeping you safe. This article should have presented a number of tips that you can use to make your home more secure. They might just do the trick.
If you have valuables, whether a laptop, tablet, large flat-screen TV, a gun collection, art, or jewelry, keep them away from the windows. People are less apt to break in to steal items they do not know are there.
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