Effective Home Security Tips That Will Actually Work

April 17, 2020 - Comment

Dangerous people and their actions often strike us when we are least prepared. Make sure you look at your home security. Don’t put your family in unnecessary danger. Read the information provided here to help make your home a safer place today. You can hide your spare key on your dog. This really only works

Dangerous people and their actions often strike us when we are least prepared. Make sure you look at your home security. Don’t put your family in unnecessary danger. Read the information provided here to help make your home a safer place today.

You can hide your spare key on your dog. This really only works if you’ve got an outdoor dog or if you’ve got a pet door. You can attach a copy of your key to the dog’s collar, so when you need that spare, you’ve got one handy!

TIP! Your dog can actually safeguard a spare key. In order to make this work, your dog either needs to stay outside or have access to a pet door.

Provide the house key to your professional house cleaner, but only if you fully trust them. Be sure to check out the background of any housekeeper you plan to provide with a key to your home. Check the housekeeper’s references very carefully. If the cleaner is from a firm, try calling the local BBB to find out about the firm’s reputation.

Good home security systems sound a loud alarm when breached, and that’s not all. Many systems can be used to go off whenever anyone enters your home. This can be valuable to parents with small children as they are made aware their child has opened or closed a door.

TIP! A home security system has other features in addition to sounding an alarm when there is a break-in. Most security systems can facilitate alarm sounds anyone enters.

Buy fire-resistant building materials. Having your home built with fire resistant materials will help safeguard your home in case it catches fire. Preventing a fire hazard is one of the safest precautions that you can take due to the level of destruction that it can cause.

Do not open your door for anyone you don’t know. There are many different tactics that crooks use to enter homes, and a common way is simply to walk up to the door and ask for help. Create a rule where you only allow those you’ve invited to your home inside.

TIP! You never want to open up a door to a stranger without proper identification. Folks are always thinking up new schemes to get people to open the door so that they can commit their crimes.

When you’re picking out home security equipment and services, don’t forget to ask your friends and family for help. There are likely people you know that have had either good or bad experiences with these companies. Make sure to ask neighbors for advice too.

Talk to the police department in your area to see what safety programs they have. They may offer things such as home inspections, engraving tool loans, and other guidance about securing your house. Contact the police department to see if they have something similar.

TIP! Consult with your police department to find out about good programs for home protection. Many police departments offer programs that can include home inspections, home security training and more.

Keep your car in your garage if you have one. Keeping your car secured will prevent people from vandalizing it. Hiding your car away from plain view is a good way to keep intruders from knowing when you are at home or not.

Use your garage for your car and not for storage. A car kept locked in a garage is much less likely to be stolen or damaged. It will also keep any intruders from knowing when you’re home.

TIP! If you’ve got a garage, make sure to use it for your car rather than extra storage space. A car kept locked in a garage is much less likely to be stolen or damaged.

You need to go with your gut instinct when it comes to negotiating and dealing with a home security installation company. This is definitely the case if you’re not quite sure about the actual installation people. There is nothing wrong with asking for a different technician if you’re uneasy. After all, the point of the system itself is to help you feel more at ease.

Compared to city dwellers, you might feel more safe in your rural home. There are differences between large cities and homes located in the countryside. Still, there are those who are of the opinion that rural properties are less of a temptation to burglars.

TIP! If you live more out in the country, you may think that you’re not at risk. Some people think that the people out in the country without neighbors are actually at a much greater risk.

If you live in a rural area, you may not be as concerned about home break-ins as people who live in the city. On a different note, some people believe homeowners in more rural areas are more likely to experience robberies because of the lack of nearby neighbors. Some people think burglaries are less prevalent in rural parts.

You can hide certain valuables within your walls. You don’t have to cut out pieces of the wall to do this. There’s plenty of places in a house with pre-cut areas that can be used. For instance, consider using an electricity socket that is unused, and stash your precious jewelry in there.

TIP! Use your walls as hiding spaces. You don’t have to damage the walls to do so.

Your valuables should not be easily seen from outside your home. It is wise to invest in coverings for large windows that can give criminals a large view of your home. By reducing visibility into your home, you protect your belongings, safety, and you improve the interior beauty of your home.

After installing a security system in your home, make sure any wires are hidden. A burglar will simply cut the wires if he can see them. Instead, make sure the wires are hidden. You’ll be safer.

TIP! If you install a security system, make certain to hide the wires well. One of the ways an intruder can get around a security system is by disconnecting or cutting the wires.

If you are moving in your new home, ensure all the old locks are replaced. You don’t really know the people you purchased the house from or all the folks they shared keys with, so don’t place too much trust in the old locks. You should also keep in mind that other people may have lived in the home before the previous homeowner.

Did you know that the wires on your home are valuable? Often homeowners are unaware of this fact until they find that their wiring has been stolen. Experienced criminals can make a decent amount of money quickly by stripping copper wiring off of houses in order to sell it at a scrapyard. Be sure that your wiring is concealed or difficult to access in order to keep your wires safe.

TIP! The wiring outside of your home can be valuable. Many people are not aware of this until they are stolen from their home.

Replace Rotted Wood

Remove and replace any wood that is not up to par. An intruder can simply pry away that rotted wood and enter your home. Replace rotted wood with fresh wood to make your home safer.

TIP! Replace any wood surrounding your door frame that is rotting. Rotting wood is easy to remove and take apart if someone is trying to get in.

Replace rotted wood around entryways. Anyone hoping to enter your home can very easily do so by just prying away the rotted wood. Be sure and replace rotted wood with fresh wood in order to ensure home safety.

Check references before giving anyone access to your home. Be sure to perform a background check and look for any criminal history that might be in evidence. You can never be too sure about anyone you hire to enter your home, and giving them access can work against you.

TIP! Always check references before letting anyone work on your home. Perform a background check to learn about their criminal history, too.

Before allowing any security company reps to come into your home, make sure they have on a uniform and they have valid ID. It is easy for potential thieves to present themselves as representatives of a company in order to gain access to your home. This puts your household and valuables at considerable risk. Be very careful with who you let into your home.

When you hire a type of home security company, read the contract’s fine print before signing. They sometimes have hidden costs if you let go of them prior to the contract expiring. If you can’t avoid these types of fees, you should at least be aware of them.

TIP! When you are trying to hire a home security contractor, read all the small print on your contract before signing it. Sometimes there are hidden costs involved if you decide to let your service go before the contract expires or add additional equipment at a later point.

A simple way to increase your home security is to add motion lights around the house. These lights not only give off light at night, but can also offer security around your home. Properly-situated motion detectors will give your home a complete field of protection and make it impossible for a miscreant to approach undetected.

Whenever you are landscaping your home, you should consider safety. You should have a clear view out of all your windows and an unobstructed path to any doors. This way, no one can hide there if they are attempting to break into your house. Landscaped features should be set further away for safety, yet keeping beauty in mind.

TIP! Your landscaping should be designed based on what will be safest for your home. You should have a clear view out of all your windows and an unobstructed path to any doors.

The most useful tool for finding home security is the Internet. Go through different websites and investigate testimonials about different companies and packages. Once you have selected a few potential home security providers, set appointments to interview them and find out what they have on offer.

See how long the home security company has been around before you make any decisions. You can be sure that an established company has a good track record of providing solid and reliable service. Knowing that you are dealing with a shady company can keep you calm when making this crucial decision.

TIP! Before signing up for a particular home-security company, find out how long they’ve been around. Any business with multiple years of history has a proven record in being reliable.

When you landscape your house, make it safe. Windows should be free from obstructions like trees, shrubs and fencing. If criminals know you can see them, they are less likely to break in. This will give your home additional safety.

Invite a security company to come to your house and figure out a system that will work for you. Everyone has specific wants and needs when it comes to securing their home, family and belongings. When you don’t want to compromise in any way on the safety and security of your home, a custom-built system is usually the way to go.

TIP! Ask a home security company to come to your house and design a security system that is perfect for your needs. All homeowners and homes differ.

Ask the home security company about how long they’ve been running prior to signing up. A long-standing company has a track record in the industry that people can attest to. It can ease your mind when you know you’re not doing business with a company that might not be around tomorrow.

Don’t let anyone peek into your garage. Have your windows frosted so they aren’t as easy to see through. Avoid leaving the door open for extended periods of time.

TIP! A smart way to prevent burglars from entering the garage is to keep them from seeing what is inside. Go to a hardware store and buy some frosting so you can cover your windows.

Hidden Cameras

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 up the boxes into smaller pieces before you put them near the curb.

TIP! Don’t leave empty boxes for big-ticket purchases outside on your curb. Burglars can see these and they know that you have them in your home, increasing your chances of a break-in.

Install a surveillance system in your home. Having visible or hidden cameras can help immensely. Visible cameras have a deterrent effect, and if they are disabled, hidden cameras can capture the events that unfold. You can often view these feeds over the Internet, too.

Man’s best friend can be one of the most effective anti-burglary systems. They are protective about their territory, plus they make noises that keep burglars at bay. It doesn’t need to be a huge dog either. Any size dog will drive criminals away, as the barking will be too much noise for them to be stealthy.

TIP! Man’s best friend can be one of the most effective anti-burglary systems. Dogs are very protective of their turf and usually make noises when something is amiss.

Never place empty boxes for expensive items out on the curb. Burglars will instantly take notices of these boxes and what used to be in them, making you an easy burglary target. When you empty the boxes, cut them up and throw them away so that burglars do not see them.

Think about hard-wired security systems if you’re worried about long term maintenance costs. Wireless systems, while convenient, will require much more maintenance. If you forget to change the batteries, your system will not work correctly. Furthermore, it can be costly to replace multiple batteries.

TIP! Are you worried about the costs of ongoing maintenance? Then, consider using a security system that is hard-wired. Wireless systems are of course convenient, but unfortunately you have to change numerous sets of batteries regularly.

A great protection against burglars is owning a dog. They are protective of their home and owner and will alert you if someone is on your property. It doesn’t even have to be a big tough dog. Small dogs are noisy and unpredictable and very good at deterring burglars.

Secure valuables that are truly irreplaceable. Legal and financial documentation, IDs, pricey jewelry, and important mementos like family albums should be protected as carefully as possible. A great choice for keeping these items in your home is a floor safe. You can also rent out a safety deposit box.

TIP! Make sure your valuables, or things that can’t be replaced, are safe. This can include items like important photos, passports, pricey jewelry, and legal documents.

The glove compartment is bad place to store important documents like your car’s registration. The reason is that anyone who sees them will immediately have your home address. Hide them somewhere else in the car, or carry them with you. They have to be available if the cops pull you over.

If your door is not made out of solid wood or metal, you should replace it. Those are the most durable materials available. Burglars would have a hard time kicking such doors down. A strong exterior door is a good investment, (they’re very durable!) so make sure all of your home’s doors are tough.

TIP! Replace your doors with some that are solid wood or metal. Doors made of metal or wood are much sturdier than those that aren’t.

There is no telling when an intruder may break into your home. Don’t take a chance of a burglar invading your home. Do what is necessary to make it secure. Use these tips, plus your own research, to give your home protection from burglars.

Be sure to get deadbolt locks with captive key-locks. They have a thumb latch, making it impossible for someone to break the window, reach in and turn them. After arriving home, you should put your key inside the lock and keep it there. That will allow you to get out quickly if there is a fire.

TIP! Deadbolts with captive keylocks are the best locks on the market. A thumb latch prevents outsiders from accessing your door locks through an adjacent window.