Arming yourself with home security knowledge is something everyone should do. There is a ton of information about home security, and it can be hard to sort through it all. This article will alert you to the top things to keep in mind when it comes to home safety. Change all of your locks when
Arming yourself with home security knowledge is something everyone should do. There is a ton of information about home security, and it can be hard to sort through it all. This article will alert you to the top things to keep in mind when it comes to home safety.
Change all of your locks when you move in. You have no clue how many people were given keys by the former owner. Find a good locksmith who can replace the lock and make a few copies of your key. You should also do this if your keys ever get lost.
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. Put a key on the dog’s collar so you have access to it when necessary!
Do you allow your dog to stay in your yard while you are away? Using Fido to hide your spare key can be a clever trick. Put it on their collar. This is very effective if your pet is afraid of strangers; therefore, burglars are not very likely to notice the key.
Home security systems offer additional features besides loud alarms during a break-in. Most systems can be set to sound an alert when anyone enters the home. This is useful for parents who have small kids, as it helps keep them from leaving the house.
Only provide your house cleaner with a key if you trust him or her implicitly. If they need the keys and plan on being in there for more than an hour, try to ensure that they are honest, hardworking, and reputable. Check their references very carefully. If the person is an employee of a firm, call your local BBB to check their reputation.
Buy a safe for very valuable items in the house so you can keep them inside a single location. If an intruder breaks into your home, at least these valuables will be secure. Hide the safe in a very hard to reach place like the attic or a closet in the basement.
Compare various home security systems when shopping. 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.
Be sure to keep your car in your garage rather than filling your garage with stored belongings. In this way, your car will be safer. It won’t be vandalized or stolen this way. Keeping your car out of sight is also good for thwarting burglars’ attempts to determine when you are likely to be away from home.
Don’t announce your vacation agenda on your social networks. This is especially true if you have lots of unfamiliar “friends”. Although you may want to let others in on your excitement, it may inadvertently give burglars a heads up to target your property.
Hide your valuables in the walls. Jewelry and other small items can be protected very well when placed in hiding places in your walls. Just open up an electrical outlet or a phone jack that is not in use. A security store will sell fake plates you can install anywhere.
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. Call the local police department and inquire as to what programs they offer.
Listen to your intuition as to whether your system is being installed by a trustworthy home security company. If you don’t feel comfortable with the technician, don’t allow them access to your home. If you simply are not comfortable with a company’s technician, request for another technician or simply hire another company. Remember, the new security apparatus is meant to make you feel safe and secure.
Be sure your valuables are not visible from the outside of your house. A big front window gives you a good view; however, it also gives burglars a good view of the interior of your house. Keep your curtains drawn to keep your valuable items safe.
Your risks of being the target of home intruders really doesn’t depend on the area in which you live. Some people think that country folk are mainly targeted since they don’t have nearby neighbors. Not everyone believes this, though.
Don’t leave the packaging from any electronics or expensive purchases sitting on the curb until trash day. Having these boxes around for a while will give people an idea of what is inside your house.
A good home security system monitors all entry points to your home. Windows are a way for thieves to enter your home as well. Make sure the alarm is attached to all of them, and that monitoring is offered for all possible entry points. This can keep your family much safer.
When moving into a house, ensure that each lock has been replaced. It may seem as if the former owners of the home are honest, but really you don’t know much about them. And, other people could have lived in the home previously to them as well.
Just moved in? Time for new locks! Even though the person who sold your home to you may seem honest, you simply can’t know for certain. Remember that other families may have lived there before that person as well.
A wireless home security system could be just the option you are looking for. Systems that are wired can be a little cheaper, but may need significant reworking of your home’s electrical wiring and can fail in a power outage. Wireless systems tend to be easier for installation and maintenance, and they will not go out if your power does.
If you are going to be out of town for more than a day or so, have someone check your mailbox and door for mail and fliers. Robbers will place these on your door and may invade your home if they are not removed. If the flier is not taken down, the burglar assumes the homeowner is not in town.
Make sure you have several flashlights that are charged and ready to go in the event of a power outage. It is extremely important that you have flashlights because they allow you to move around easier in the dark, which is especially useful in an emergency. Make sure your whole family knows where to find them and how to operate them.
Can someone standing in the middle of the street see clearly your house numbers? If an emergency occurs, the police will not be able to find your home as quickly if these numbers are too small or are obscured in some way. Just replace them if you need to.
A dog is a great alarm system. They are protective about their territory, plus they make noises that keep burglars at bay. You will get good results even if you do not have a large or vicious dog. Even tiny dogs that make a ton of noise will deter a potential crime.
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. These lights will keep your property well lit and give you a good idea of who approaches your home. If they are positioned correctly outside of your home, your motion detectors can make it impossible for strangers to sneak around.
Do not buy spring latch locks. They are simple to open if you have a credit card. Intruders just have to slide a card in between the latch and door for the lock to pop open. Add a deadbolt to existing spring latch locks for maximum security.
Always go over the small print on contracts offered by your home security company. 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. These are costs you’ll want to avoid.
When the windows in your family room are facing the street, it is best to close your curtains every night before you go to bed. You never want to make it easy for folks to peer into your home. If the crooks can see what you own, then they are going to target you next. Reduce the risk of being burglarized by being careful about what people can see.
Homeowners need to learn everything that they can when it comes to security. However, distinguishing useful information from that which is unhelpful can prove challenging. That is why you should look at the above information when you need to so that you can keep a safer home.
If you have your home brightly lit, burglars are likely to avoid it. They wish to avoid detection. By minimizing dark and shady areas, you are taking away a potential burglar’s hiding spots. Keep the lights on if you want your home to be secure.
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