All homeowners want a safe and secure home, but it is often hard to know how to attain that goal. It takes some research to learn exactly what steps are most effective in attaining and maintaining home security. Read on to learn more about making a great security plan to use for your own home.
All homeowners want a safe and secure home, but it is often hard to know how to attain that goal. It takes some research to learn exactly what steps are most effective in attaining and maintaining home security. Read on to learn more about making a great security plan to use for your own home.
Make your house look occupied all the time. Purchase timers for electronics, lights, radios and TVs so that they will turn on and off at varied intervals. This will make it look like someone is home. This is great for keeping a home safer from burglaries.
Buy fire resistant roofing, flooring and ceiling materials. This will help you protect your home under all circumstances. Home security also includes taking steps to prevent a fire from completely destroying your home.
Is your dog outside when you are away? If so, the dog can be a terrific spot to keep a spare key. Attach your key to your dog’s collar, ensuring that it can’t be seen. If your pet does not get along with strangers, this will ensure your spare key stays safe.
Don’t announce your vacation agenda on your social networks. This is especially true if you have lots of unfamiliar “friends”. There may be a thief within this list and you would have been inviting him straight through your front door!
Home security systems do more than sounding an alarm in case of a break in. They often even alert you to any time a door is opened. This could be valuable for parents who have small children, making them aware when their kid has closed or opened a door.
Don’t open your door when strangers are knocking. People often think of ways to trick others into letting them in so they can steal from them. Never open the door to anyone you do not know.
Don’t just hide your spare key anywhere. Never put a spare key under a doormat or above a door jam. One good place to hide a spare key is in the collar of a dog that does not take kindly to strangers.
Walls are the perfect place to hide. You can hide small valuables inside the walls. You can use phone jacks or electric outlets as hiding spots. If you have no unused plates, you can put in a fake one.
Don’t overlook your garage as a potential access point for thieves. Many people worry about burglars getting into their attached garage and then entering their home, but there is a fix. You can use a C-clamp to secure the door and prevent it from being opened by strangers.
You can hide certain valuables within your walls. You do not need to remove segments from your walls. Your home should have a few pre-cut areas that can be used. Unused electrical sockets can be great for hiding expensive jewelry.
Try not to have a shy attitude. Be friendly with people that live in the neighborhood. Agree to watch each other’s homes while you are away. You never want to ignore gossip. You may stumble across valuable security information, like if someone has noticed a stranger lurking around the neighborhood.
Keep your home security system’s wires under cover. A burglar can easily cut and disconnect wires that are left visible. Hide them in the walls or bury them underground to keep people from tampering with them. That will make you safer.
Whenever you are selecting a home security company, make sure you go with your gut feelings. If you are hesitant about the company, your gut feeling is especially important. Ask for someone else to come out or switch companies. The purpose of using the company is to calm your uneasiness, not worsen it.
Be sure to replace all of the old locks as soon as you move into a new domicile. You really don’t know much about the people who sold you the home, regardless of how competent they may seem. People may have lived in the home before those owners, too.
Don’t put extra keys under doormats or in planters. Instead of letting you into your home in the event you are locked out, you are providing criminals with easy access to your home. Thieves are tricky, diabolical, and familiar with any and every hiding place. Rather, keep your spare keys with a neighbor you trust.
Don’t give outside people the ability to see into 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. Blinds are a great way to allow the light in, without allowing people to see in at the same time.
Be sure to replace rotten wood in the frame of your front door. An intruder could pry the rotten wood easily to open the door. Always replace rotting wood with fresh wood immediately to keep your house strong and secure.
If your home security system is installed, be sure its wires are well-hidden. If the wires are exposed, an intruder can bypass the system by cutting its wires. This makes it much easier for a thief to get inside your home. Keep the wires protected. You will be much more safe.
Flashlights in your home should always have newer batteries if your power goes out. If the lights go out, they will ensure everyone stays safe. This can come in handy if someone has cut your power and is attempting to break in.
The most useful tool for finding home security is the Internet. Many websites feature reviews, testimonials, and package details from home security services. You can then make three solid selections and make appointments with them.
To increase your home’s security, buy some outdoor lights that are motion activated. At night, the lights will keep things bright round the house, but they are also efficient and cost-effective ways to help your security. Whenever you properly position these lights, they will make it almost impossible for burglars to sneak in.
Consider your personal needs for safety and your security risks prior to looking for security systems. Although they can be very helpful, security systems aren’t always necessary. 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.
Always go over the small print on contracts offered by your home security company. There are sometimes fees if you break a contract or need additional equipment. It’s best to know about these fees in advance so that you can avoid them when possible.
If you get home and the door is open, don’t go in. This is a delicate situation as the burglar might still be in your home. Instead, you should call 911 and wait in a safe location for the police to arrive.
Having a well-lit home that’s bight in the evening can really deter crooks. Thieves don’t want to be visible. Ample lighting makes it difficult for would-be burglars to approach undetected, and this turns your home into a less attractive target. Keep lights on in the evening for a safer home.
If you plan to go away and have asked someone to get the mail, see if they will also remove fliers that may have been left at the door. Sometimes burglars leave fliers in an attempt to see if anyone is home to remove them. By your neighbor taking the flyer, it appears as if you got it yourself.
It’s smart to use the Internet when you are looking for a good security company for your home. Browse through different websites and seek out customer reviews about different services and packages. After reading about these services, you can narrow down the results and use appointments for price comparisons.
Don’t neglect your garage when it comes to home security. Frosted windows prevent thieves from looking into your home and are inexpensive. Don’t let your door hang open for lengthy periods of time.
Ask the home security company about how long they’ve been running prior to signing up. It doesn’t take long for a quality company to prove itself in the security business, and you should look for a track record of satisfied customers and successful work. Being in the hands of a good company helps you have peace about your decision.
Anytime you make a new electronics purchase, keep the boxes off the curb until the very last minute. This will show that you have expensive equipment in your home. After removing the contents from these boxes, tear or cut them up.
Invest in a high quality paper shredder. Many thieves sift through trash for personal info and to figure out when you plan to be away. If you can’t get a paper shredder, try ripping papers into smaller pieces.
Ask the security company about various contract lengths. You will probably find there are many pros and cons associated with each different contract. A long term contract should have a lower monthly rate but it also requires you to commit for a long period of time. Short contracts leave you with freedom, but also a larger bill.
When you’re not in your house, all of the window coverings (blinds, curtains, shades, or what have you) should be tightly shut. Leaving the curtains up invites people to peer into your living room. They may break in if they see things they like. Your window dressing should also be closed while you sleep.
Keep your garage shut and locked so burglars can’t peek inside. Cover your windows in frosting, which can be bought at big box hardware stores, so people can’t peek inside. Don’t leave your front door unlocked or standing open when you are working in the garage or yard.
If you have a living room window that faces the street, draw your curtains at night. You would not want to tempt outsiders to look through your window. If possible burglars see your valuables, they may see your home as the next target. Walk around your house to find out what can be seen and then block it.
Home security is crucial and one thing that many people don’t know much about. This is a subject which all homeowners should know about intimately. After reading this article, hopefully you gathered enough useful information to help you feel confident on the topic of home security.
Sliding patio doors present a security problem in many homes. They can be unlocked very easily if you shake and lift them. If you do not have a security system hooked up to them, cut a length of pipe to fit in the door channel. The pressure applied by the pipe provides added security and makes forcing a sliding door open a much less trivial matter.
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