Take care to protect pricey valuables, such as jewelry, fine art or cash. Improve the security of your home to prevent burglary. To learn more about home security, read on.
You should always change the locks after purchasing a home. This is because you really have no idea who has keys, and therefore access to your home. Hire a locksmith so that you can be sure you are the only person who can access your home. Also, if you lose your keys, change the locks.
Always make your house appear to be occupied. Have electronics and lights with timers and set them to go off at various times. This way, it will appear that you are at home. This will help to deter burglars.
If you need to leave a key for a maid service, make sure that that whoever cleans your house is professional and trustworthy. Only select service people who are totally trustworthy. It is best to do a reference check on them. If they work through a larger firm, you can check up on the company with your local Better Business Bureau.
Use your dog as the protector of your spare key. Of course, your dog has to be an outdoor dog (or you at least need to have a doggy door) for this to work. You can attach a copy of your key to the dog’s collar, so when you need that spare, you’ve got one handy!
When in the process of purchasing a home-security system, be sure to comparison shop. Prices vary significantly, even for similar levels of protection. Try to get two or three quotes before making a decision.
Let a house cleaner have your keys only if they can provide you with references so you can verify their trustworthiness. 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. Be sure to make sure their references check out. If the cleaner has been sent by a company, call the Better Business Bureau to check on the company’s reputation.
When you’re going away, turn off your phone ringers. This is because a phone that is ringing and ringing can tip of a burglar that nobody is currently home.
When you decide to purchase a home alarm system, make sure you comparison shop. Prices vary greatly in regards to the same protection for each company. Make sure you get quotes from at least three companies before you decide on which one you think is the best option.
If you live more out in the country, you may think that you’re not at risk. Some maintain that rural dwellers have greater risk since their neighbors live farther away. Others think that rural places have less of a chance of being targets for burglars.
If you want to have a spare key hidden outside of your home, hide it carefully. Intruders will more than likely check under your doormat or above your door frame. Rather, think about putting a key on your outside dog’s collar.
Skylights need to be secure, too. Skylights are excellent for beauty and light, but it’s easy for burglars to gain access to your home through them. The hardware that secures your skylights should be sturdy and durable.
Don’t let people into your house that you don’t know. No matter how innocent a person may seem or how interesting the product he or she may be offering, you must not allow access. Some criminals will come in, case your house and then come back when you are away.
Hide valuables in spaces in your walls. You don’t have to cut pieces out of the walls. You can find areas in your walls that are pre-cut and use those. If you have an electric socket you do not use, hide valuables behind their covers.
Police Department
Never place a spare key in a plant box or under your welcome mat. While it may seem like a convenient way to give you access to your home, intruders are aware of this practice. Thieves are familiar with these hiding spots. A better option is to entrust an honest neighbor with a spare key.
Talk to the police department in your area to see what safety programs they have. Your local police department will help you with preventive measures, inspect your home and show you how to mark your valuables so they can easily be found. Get in touch with the department to determine their offerings.
You never want people to be able to see your valuables from outside of your home. While having huge windows may be good for letting in light and viewing what is outside, it also gives potential thieves a good look in your own home. Always keep your windows covered and do not tempt others by displaying your possessions.
You should regularly check your home security system, regardless of how reliable you believe it is. This is a job for professionals; get a security firm to inspect your equipment. There are quite a few things that can negatively impact the effectiveness of home security equipment. For example, adverse weather conditions or pests such as raccoons can cause problems. If it’s not visible, you might not even know there’s a problem.
You should always lock up your house, even if you’re only planning to be gone for a short time. It may shock you to know this, but a lot of intruders get inside homes through open doors. Once a thief is inside, he can steal a lot of valuables in a short amount of time.
Be outgoing. It is important to communicate with others who also live in your area. Keep an eye out for their houses, and request that they return the favor. Also consider listening in on some of the neighborhood gossip. You might find out valuable information related to security, like if there have been any strangers hanging around.
Did you know that the wires on your home are valuable? Many folks are not aware of this until a thief steals it. Wiring can be removed from the outside of a home in a heartbeat. Hide the wiring and make it harder to access to prevent this from happening.
Walls can be a great hiding spot. If you own smaller things that need protection, think about keeping them hidden in the walls. You could utilize an electrical outlet, phone jack, or unused switch plate. Installing a false unused plate is very easy to do if your home doesn’t have one.
Check each spring for any rotting frames on your doors and windows. Replace them immediately if you spot any problems. Anybody wanting to break into your house can just pry off rotted wood and get inside. Find a reliable contractor who can replace the door frame for you.
It is not a good idea to hide a spare key on your property. 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 the best hiding spots. Instead, trust a neighbor to hold your spare key.
If you want to make your house even more secure, a cheap way to do that is to buy outside lights with motion detectors. During the night hours, these lights help light up the outside of your home, which makes them an excellent addition to your home security strategies. In addition, they are very affordable. They also help to keep intruders away, because an intruder does not want to come close to your property if they know they might be spotted.
Do not choose a home alarm system that monitors only your doors. Windows are all potential entry points for burglars. Make sure you have a monitored alarm on every one of them. This is great for keeping the family secure.
If you’re hiring a company for home security, be sure to read any fine print before you sign that contract. There may be hidden costs involved that you were not aware of. You can easily avoid these fees if you do your research.
Can you locate your house number if you are standing on the street? The police will find it difficult to locate your home quickly if your address numbers are difficult to see. Happily, it’s quick and easy to fix this problem.
If someone looks after your house when you’re gone, have them remove fliers from the door. Burglars sometimes tack these up and watch to see whether or not they are removed. If their fliers are not moved, the crook knows the home is unattended.
Do not store your car registration documents in your glove compartment. The reason is that anyone who sees them will immediately have your home address. You should make sure to keep them on you, or store them somewhere safe in your car. However, make sure you have them in case you were to get pulled over by the cops.
Ask the company if they offer systems for lease and sale. Buying it may cost more, but this means there are no monthly charges. By leasing equipment, you can get the protection you want for less, but you may be paying for it over and over as time goes on. You need to think about each option to think about what is right for your home.
If you often turn your lights off/on around the same time, consider using a timer. A timer will turn your lights on and off randomly and functions whether you are home or not.
Purchase a timer to put your lights on and off during the day. This makes it easy for you because you do not have to turn the switch. It also makes the lights go off and on even if you are not at home.
Motion Sensitive Lighting
Always keep valuables you can’t replace secure. Items like family photos, passports, legal documents and expensive jewelry should be kept in a safe place. Purchase a safe with a lock to store all of these items. For added safety, place them in a safety deposit box at your bank.
See if the security company has motion sensitive lighting. Many companies do offer this and it makes lights outside the home turn on just as soon as a person approaches them. Motion sensitive lighting can scare off an intruder and allow you to safely enter your home.
The sliding doors made of glass that you see on many modern homes are actually a big security concern. They are easy to unlock, all they require is a bit of lifting and shaking. A piece of pipe or wood (e.g. a hefty broomstick) cut to the proper length and used to block the door channel can provide affordable security if you don’t have an alarm system. This holds the door firmly in position. Even if the lock is broken, the door will still be held closed.
Never assume that burglars won’t target your home. Be prepared. Of course, this does not mean living in fear. Simply take some wise precautions. Keep the advice you’ve read about home security in mind to better protect you and your family.
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. Stay on their good side and they will be sure to let you know if they see anything suspicious.
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