Home Security: What You Can Do

June 27, 2020 - Comment

Whether you own your home or you are renting, you want it to be a safe place. You may not be sure what kinds of things you can do to better secure your living space, which is why this article is here! Go over this article for more information on home security. Check around for

Whether you own your home or you are renting, you want it to be a safe place. You may not be sure what kinds of things you can do to better secure your living space, which is why this article is here! Go over this article for more information on home security.

Check around for prices, reputation, and reliability when choosing a home security provider. You’ll find a wide range of prices from different companies. Obtain quotes from a minimum of three home security companies before making a final decision.

TIP! When you decide to purchase a home alarm system, make sure you comparison shop. Different companies can provide equivalent levels of service and security, but their prices can vary wildly.

Buy housing materials that are fire resistant. This will make your home more safe, especially if you are in a dry climate that has many power lines. Stopping fire hazards is a key precaution to take since the damage it causes can be considerable.

A spare key must be carefully hidden and not in the obvious spots that a person might think. Too many people put their extra key under the mat in front of their door; burglars know to check there. Try to find somewhere less obvious.

TIP! Be smart about where you decide to hide spare keys. People will check your doormat and frame first.

In the summer, remove vegetation and dead wood from your yard. These could catch on fire during the summer, especially if you live in a dry area. Make sure your yard is clean for the sake of your safety – and that of your family!

It is always best to not let people in that just show up out of the blue. Even if their story is compelling, they need assistance or want to sell you something. Some people may simply be trying to determine whether or not you have a home security installed; if you don’t, they may plan to return later if you are away from your home.

TIP! It is always best to not let people in that just show up out of the blue. No matter how innocent a person may seem or how interesting the product he or she may be offering, you must not allow access.

Be more proactive when you are determining the safety of your neighborhood. Talk to your neighbors. Keep watch of their homes when they are away, and ask if they will return the favor. Also consider listening in on some of the neighborhood gossip. It is often a good way to find out about security issues, such as strangers in the neighborhood.

During the summer, remove all vegetation and dead wood from your yard. These can be fire hazards and can cause damage to your home. Regularly clear away your yard to keep your home in good standing and safe for your family.

TIP! When summer comes around, eliminate all vegetation and dead wood from your yard. As the summer heat rolls in, there is a higher chance that these can catch on fire, putting your home at risk.

The first step in making your home more secure is to change out your locks. Perhaps your roommate left town or you have gone through a messy divorce, and you need to feel that the home is safe. It is inexpensive, and most locksmiths will be available for next day appointments.

Consult with your police department to find out about good programs for home protection. 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. Contact the police department to see if they have something similar.

TIP! See what the local police offer when it comes to home protection programs. 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.

Walls are a good place to hide things. If you need to protect expensive items in your home, put them inside the walls. You could use a phone jack, electrical outlet or a switch plate. Anything not used currently makes a good spot for hiding.

Motion sensor lights on the exterior of your home is a great idea. Lights like these will automatically turn on whenever someone is near them. This will discourage would be thieves and alert you to any movement on your property. But keep in mind that the bulbs to the security light should be routinely changed to ensure that the deterrent system functions properly.

TIP! Install lights that use a motion-sensor. They’ll flip on when people walk within a certain distance of your house.

Rotting Wood

Those that live in rural area are not as concerned about having their home invaded as those who are located in the city. There are some who believe country folk are more at risk because neighbors are not nearby. Some think that there are less burglars in rural areas.

TIP! If you reside in the country, you may be less worried about break-ins than urban dwellers are. Some maintain that rural dwellers have greater risk since their neighbors live farther away.

Your door frame should be replaced if the wood around it is rotting. It is simple for a robber to pry away rotting wood and enter your home. Replace rotting wood with new wood to stay safe.

Avoid leaving spare keys outside of your home. You may believe you are making life easier for yourself, but you may just be giving thieves simple access to your house. Burglars are well aware of these hiding places. Rather, give your key to a neighbor you find trustworthy.

TIP! It is not a good idea to hide a spare key on your property. You are allowing people to invade your home when you make it easy for them.

When seeking out home security firms, the Internet is an indispensable tool. Look at various sites and read customer testimonials, along with details on various packages. After that, choose your top three for consultations.

When in the process of selecting an alarm system, you should select a system that protects more than simply the doors of your home. Windows need to be monitored too. You want to be sure that the alarm is connected to all windows and entry points. You want the best security possible for your family.

TIP! Don’t just consider alarming your doors when you’re considering an alarm system. Your windows should also be protected because burglars can also break into them.

Keep safety at the forefront when landscaping your property. Make sure that there is nothing obstructing your doors and windows. If you have them visible, people can’t hide in those areas while they try to break in. Plan these features for further away from your home.

If you are throwing away the box an expensive item came in, wait until trash day to put the box out. These boxes sitting outside your home serve as a flag for thieves to target your home.

TIP! When you purchase big, expensive items be sure to break down the boxes and take them to the recycling center yourself. These types of items are appealing to thieves, and you may as well put a sign in your yard inviting them to steal yours.

Consider purchasing a wireless security system for your home. A wired system should be less expensive but you might have to spend your money on getting your home rewired. A wireless system is easy to install, and will not become inoperable if your power goes out.

Did you know that the wires on your home are valuable? Lots of people don’t know this until their wires are stolen. The wiring contains valuable copper than can be quickly stripped from a home. Be sure to hide your wires or make sure they are hard to get to.

TIP! Do you know how valuable the wires within your home are? Some intruders could strip your home of every bit of copper. Wiring can be removed from the outside of a home in a heartbeat.

It’s a good idea to install a surveillance system in your home. Having visible or hidden cameras can help immensely. Visible cameras deter many intruders, but if they disable the cameras that they can see, your hidden camera can record the action. A lot of surveillance systems are accessible using your cell phone, so you can monitor your home while you are out of town.

Make sure to ask for identification for any home security company representative. Having the name of the technician coming to your house ahead of time can help to ensure you are allowing someone who really works for the company into your home. This can put your family and possessions in danger. Act cautiously to avoid potential dangers.

TIP! Before you give a security company employee access to your home, make sure they’re in uniform and that they present acceptable identification. It is easy for potential thieves to present themselves as representatives of a company in order to gain access to your home.

Could burglars see inside your garage? Make sure that they can’t! Cover windows using frosting, which you can buy at large hardware stores, to keep people from peeking in your window. Don’t leave the door unlocked for a long time, either.

If you sign a contract for a security company, read all the fine print first. There could be hidden costs if you were to quit your service prior to the expiration date of the contract, or you decide to add additional equipment later. If you can’t avoid these types of fees, you should at least be aware of them.

TIP! If you hire a security company, read any fine print. There may be hidden costs to doing business with them, including early termination fees and surprising equipment costs.

Can someone standing in the middle of the street see clearly your house numbers? If you need assistance, emergency vehicles may not locate your home in a timely manner if the numbers don’t stand out. Luckily, you can fix this quickly and cheaply if you see there’s a problem.

If the front door is open when you get home, resist the temptation to go in alone to find the reason. It can be dangerous to walk in on an intruder. Instead, you should call 911 and wait in a safe location for the police to arrive.

TIP! You should not enter your home if you find the door ajar. This can be dangerous since the intruder might still be on the property.

When you will be away from home, keep the curtains and blinds shut. When they’re open, it would be easy to see no one is there. If they spot something desirable, they will seek access. Keep them down when you’re asleep, too.

You need to get a good home surveillance system. This will allow you to see who is around your house. Visible cameras can deter many intruders and if they disable them, the hidden cameras can still capture footage. There are surveillance systems that you can access and check by cell phone.

TIP! Install a surveillance system in your home. Video cameras are a great deterrent.

Do not store your car registration in your glove box. It is not smart, because anyone can know your address. You should keep them on your person, or find another place in your vehicle to hide them. If a cop pulls you over, you will need them anyway.

When you purchase an expensive item such as a computer or TV, be sure to take the cardboard box to the recycling center rather than leaving it on your curb for all the world to see. Don’t advertise that you have expensive new equipment! Break down the empty boxes whenever possible.

TIP! If you purchase a new TV or computer, don’t leave empty boxes from your purchases on the curb. Burglars pay attention to this, and it will make them want to break in and get the items.

Spare Key

Your furry friend is a great home security system, too. Dogs protect their territory diligently, and tend to make noise if something goes awry. Keeping a huge and ferocious canine is not necessary. Little dogs can also make big noise, which is the main thing that burglars care about.

TIP! Your furry friend is a great home security system, too. Dogs are protective of turf and generally make noise when something is wrong.

Never hide keys in obvious locations. It is easy to find fake rocks. Another obvious location is underneath the doormat. This will be one of the first places that a burglar will look for your spare key. A safer option is entrusting a neighbor or one of your most trusted friends to keep your spare key. If you have no trustworthy neighbors, try to be more creative.

If you lose your house keys often, you might want to install a keyless entry system. You can have key-less locks which require a code. You can even install it yourself.

TIP! There is no need to have keyed locks on interior doors. Get key-less locks that need a code.

Now is the time to get started in making your home a more secure place! Do not waste time or pass by these ideas without a second thought. Allow them to be the first step in your journey to learning all about home security. Knowing your home is secure can really help to give you peace of mind.

Don’t use locks of the spring latch variety. Just one credit card can get a burglar access to your home. An intruder has only to press the card into the doorjamb between latch and the door and the lock will pop open. Add a deadbolt to existing spring latch locks for maximum security.

TIP! Spring latch locks are not a good option. They give intruders and easy time breaking in, since they can be unlocked with a credit card.