Most homeowners don’t know much about security systems. If you don’t know about home security, it’s time to become educated. This could be an expensive investment and it could mean the safety of you and your family, so go ahead and read more.
After you buy your new house, get new locks. You don’t know how many keys have been handed out previously. Call a locksmith as soon as you can for maximum security. You should also do this if your keys ever get lost.
TIP! Always change the locks after moving into a new home. Many people may have been given keys by the former owner.
It is important for your home to always look lived in. Timers can be used to turn lights and televisions on and off when required. This way, it will appear that you are at home. This is an excellent method for avoiding burglary and keeping your home secure.
Don’t give the keys to your home to a professional cleaner unless you trust them completely. Anyone you give the keys to your home to should be unarguably honest. Make sure you verify all references. If you’re hiring from a company, call the BBB for more information.
TIP! Only allow maids and cleaning services to have a key to the house if they are known to be trustworthy. Be sure any home cleaner you give your key to is trustworthy and reputable.
Spare Key
When in the process of purchasing a home-security system, be sure to comparison shop. Wild variations in pricing can exist for similar security products. Get at least 3 quotes from security system companies and compare features and services as well as monthly costs.
TIP! When you decide to purchase a home alarm system, make sure you comparison shop. Prices can be very different from one product to another.
You can hide your spare key on your dog. This only makes sense if your dog is outdoors a lot or you have a pet door. Place a spare key on the collar, and when you really need a spare, you know where to go!
If you’ve got lots of people you don’t know on your social networks, don’t let them know that you’re going to be on vacation. You may be very excited about your impending vacation, but there is no need to let potential burglars know when you will be gone.
TIP! Do not tell anyone that you are going on vacation out of your friend circle. If you do, burglars will know you’re not home and strike.
When you buy a new home, be sure to have the locks changed. You don’t know the exact number of copies of that key the previous owners have or have handed out. To make sure you are the sole person with access to the home, engage the services of a locksmith. When you lose your keys, have your locks rekeyed.
It can be a good idea to only leave one ringer on in your home when you are away. Intruders might be attracted by a phone that rings constantly without anyone picking up.
TIP! Turn the ringers off on all your phones if you will be away for a prolonged period of time. If a burglar keeps hearing your phone ring, they’ll know the home is not occupied, making it more likely for a break-in to occur.
Only provide your house cleaner with a key if you trust him or her implicitly. 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. Check references thoroughly. If you hire a cleaner who works for a company, speak with your local BBB about the company’s reliability.
Be bold. Talk to the people who live in your neighborhood. Watch their houses, and ask if they’d do the same. Don’t discount what sounds like idle gossip. You might hear helpful information, for instance if strangers have been hanging around.
TIP! Get to know your neighbors. Engage your neighbors in conversation.
There are more features to a home alarm system besides making sounds when people break in. Many systems sound an alert whenever people enter the house. This is a good way to know if your small child has opened a door or closed it.
Never place a spare key in a plant box or under your welcome mat. Though you may think you are giving yourself a way into your home if you lose your key, you are actually inadvertently inviting intruders into your home. Thieves know about all these hiding spots. A better solution is to give your key to a neighbor you trust.
TIP! Don’t put your extra key under you doormat, in a planter, or in a cleverly disguised false rock. You are allowing people to invade your home when you make it easy for them.
Comparison shop when you are ready to buy a home security system. Prices can differ a lot among companies for the same type of protection. Obtain quotes from a minimum of three home security companies before making a final decision.
If you bought any big or expensive things, wait until trash day to throw away the boxes. If you set these boxes out with the trash, thieves will know you have expensive items in your house.
TIP! If you bought any big or expensive things, wait until trash day to throw away the boxes. They show the world you have money and lots of valuables inside.
Think very carefully about where to hide your spare key. Too many people put their extra key under the mat in front of their door; burglars know to check there. You should hide it in your dog’s collar.
The outside of your house should be well lit. Burglars like committing crimes in the darkness. Add lights to any areas you believe are potential entry points for burglars. Consider all your doors, porches, patios, decks, garages and all ground-level windows.
TIP! The areas outside your home should be kept well lit. Nothing is as attractive to a burglar as a dark, deeply-shadowed house.
Do not be shy. Speak to your neighbors. Ask them to watch your home if you are on vacation. Pay attention to gossip. You may learn some great information about security, such as if any strangers have been hanging around.
Before you go shopping for a home security system, take a moment to think about your specific situation and unique requirements. Generic systems aren’t for everyone. In some areas, a class on self defense or a guard dog might be more suitable, yet in others, an advanced home security system will fit the bill. Understanding your neighborhood, risks and budget constraints can help you to make the best choices.
TIP! You need to think about what you need as far as home security before you look at different systems. Some systems might not be adaptable to your situation.
Look for an alarm system that does more than protect your doors. Your windows are also points of entry for burglars. Make sure the alarm is attached to all of them, and that monitoring is offered for all possible entry points. This is the pinnacle of safety.
Think about getting a home security system that is wireless. Systems that are wired are cheaper, but they need unattractive wiring inside your home and may malfunction when you have a power outage. Systems that operate in a wireless environment can be easier to manage and are not as likely to cause extensive rewiring issues.
TIP! A wireless security system for your home is a great option. Systems that are wired are cheaper, but they need unattractive wiring inside your home and may malfunction when you have a power outage.
Security System
Don’t neglect your garage when it comes to home security. Cover your windows in frosting, which can be bought at big box hardware stores, so people can’t peek inside. Also keep your garage door closed whenever possible, especially if you will be stepping away from it for an extended period of time.
TIP! The best method to maintain a thief from going into the garage is making sure nobody can see inside. Frost your windows so people cannot look inside your home.
Hide the wires of your home security system. One of the ways an intruder can get around a security system is by disconnecting or cutting the wires. Do not make entry into your home easy. Make sure the wires are not exposed either inside or outside your home. That will make you safer.
If you purchase pricey, new electronics, don’t place empty boxes on the curb. A burglar may see the box and decide to target you as a result. Break up the boxes into smaller pieces before you put them near the curb.
TIP! If you purchase pricey, new electronics, don’t place empty boxes on the curb. Don’t advertise that you have expensive new equipment! When you have emptied the boxes, make sure you cut them up.
Before you let anyone go into your home, look at their references thoroughly. Try doing a background check to look at their criminal history. There is no way of knowing whether or not service people are honest, so you should not give them keys to your home.
You don’t need to rely on keys to prevent entry to certain areas of your home. It is possible to have locks that require just codes, not keys. Install them yourself or get a local home security company to do that.
TIP! If you’ve got guests that you don’t want in particular areas of the home, close the area off so it is not accessible. Instead, key-less key code locks can work just as well.
You can keep intruders away by always having your house lit up. Intruders will avoid being noticed. If your home is well lit, thieves won’t have any place to hide, so they may not want to steal anything from you. Secure your property by creating a well-lit area.
Inquire whether a security company offers variable contract lengths. There are going to be ups and downs for each one. With a longer contract, your monthly payment is likely to be lower. The downside is you might be stuck for a longer period of time if you decide you don’t like the service or want to move. A short contract may seem more expensive each month, but you have more freedom.
TIP! Inquire as to the different lengths of contracts offered by your security company. These lengths can be both good and bad.
Get your home security system custom built for your needs. Everyone has specific wants and needs when it comes to securing their home, family and belongings. You’ll get the best protection by using a company that can tailor a plan to your requirements.
Don’t utilize spring latch locks. Spring latch locks are the easiest locks to gain entry with, as they can be opened with a simple credit card. All they have to do is wedge the card between the latch and door, then wiggle it. If your doors have locks that are spring latch, add a deadbolt for extra security.
TIP! Don’t fit your exterior doors with locks of the spring latch variety. These locks can easily be picked within a couple of minutes.
If you get home and notice an open door, do not go in to see what has happened. This can be a dangerous scenario, as the criminal might still be present. Your best bet is to call the cops and wait until they arrive before you do anything else.
Inquire into both purchase and lease options for your security system. Buying it may cost more, but this means there are no monthly charges. Leasing is a good way to avoid the initial expense, but you will have to pay monthly fees. Find out which will work best for your needs.
TIP! See if your security company only sells equipment, or if they will lease it to you instead. Buying equipment can be pricey upfront, but it’s a single cost versus a monthly cost.
Now you have learned the basics, and you should feel better about your upcoming purchase. The more knowledge you have, the easier time you will have of it. Keep all of this in your mind as you make your choice.
Think about getting a hard-wired system if you have concerns about maintenance issues. Wireless systems, while convenient, will require much more maintenance. Not replacing the batteries keeps your system from working properly. Batteries can be very expensive to change.
TIP! If you want to minimize the maintenance required by your security system, go with one that’s hard-wired. Sure, wireless options are easier to use, but they consume battery power quickly.