Any homeowner should be doing everything they can to ensure their family’s safety. Sadly. burglaries are all too common, as are fires and floods. You should keep reading to find out more about how to keep your home safe.
Have your home always look occupied. You can buy timers to have radios, TVs, lights and other electronics go off and on at different times. Potential intruders will stay away from your home if they believe someone is inside. It is also another way to secure your home.
Do you keep your dog outside if you leave the home? Your furry friend is also a great storage place for your extra key. Attach your key to your dog’s collar, ensuring that it can’t be seen. This is an especially good idea if your dog doesn’t like strangers, and gives you easy access to get in your home.
Always have the locks changed when you buy a new home. You don’t know who might have a key. Hire a locksmith so that you can be sure you are the only person who can access your home. Also, you can contact a locksmith if you ever misplace your keys.
If you will be gone for an extended period, turn the ringers off on all telephones in the home. A phone which rings forever is a sign to burglars that you’re not there.
It’s important to comparison shop for alarm systems. Wild variations in pricing can exist for similar security products. Get quotes from no less than three companies before choosing the best one.
When summer comes around, eliminate all vegetation and dead wood from your yard. They pose a fire risk. Clear yard regularly to maintain your house safe.
If you have an attached garage, don’t forget to secure it as well. You can prevent this from happening easily. Get a C-clamp to secure your garage door if it is mounted on a track.
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Clear away all the dead and dried out vegetation around your home in the summer. These could catch on fire during the summer, especially if you live in a dry area. You can prevent disasters by keeping your yard clean.
Determine what sort of home protection services or programs the local police department has to offer. Many have quite a few helpful programs that you take, like on self-defense or other things related to your home. Call the local police department and inquire as to what programs they offer.
Don’t be afraid to know the people who live near you. Speak to your neighbors. Keep watch of their homes when they are away, and ask if they will return the favor. Pay attention to gossip. It is often a good way to find out about security issues, such as strangers in the neighborhood.
Do not be reluctant to meet your neighbors. Talk to your neighbors. Keep an eye on their houses and yards and request that they return the favor. You never want to ignore gossip. You may learn some great information about security, such as if any strangers have been hanging around.
When dealing with companies that install home security systems, it’s important to trust your gut. If the installers give you the heebie-jeebies, it’s not a good sign. If you simply are not comfortable with a company’s technician, request for another technician or simply hire another company. Security is supposed to give you peace of mind after all!
Use motion sensors on exterior lighting. These kinds of lights will pop right on when they detect motion near your home. Not only will they notify you of movement, they will also deter potential burglars, as thieves want to remain as inconspicuous as possible. Remember to keep working bulbs in them at all times.
It is important that your valuables are not visible from anywhere outside your house. While it may be nice to look out, burglars will see your valuables inside. Be sure to put curtains on your front-facing windows so people can’t see your valuable belongings.
The first step in making your home more secure is to change out your locks. As time passes, keys end up getting into the wrong hands. This is a very easy process that you can complete within a day.
When in the process of selecting an alarm system, you should select a system that protects more than simply the doors of your home. Burglars can gain entry through your windows as well. The alarm and monitoring system should be set for all windows and doors. This is vital to keeping your family safe.
Your risks of being the target of home intruders really doesn’t depend on the area in which you live. Some maintain that rural dwellers have greater risk since their neighbors live farther away. That said, stranger things have happened.
You need flashlights and plenty of batteries in each room just in case your power ever goes out. Having a well-charged flashlight on hand is very beneficial in case of emergency. If you have kids, teach them how to properly use the flashlights so everyone in the family can help out during a power outage.
If your home has skylights, don’t neglect to secure them. They look great and provide light, but also are another access point. Fix your skylights so they cannot be accessed as an entry point by intruders.
When you are trying to hire a home security contractor, read all the small print on your contract before signing it. There may be some hidden fees, or a need to buy more equipment later. You want to try to avoid these fees whenever possible, so make sure you are aware of them.
Place your valuables in cut-outs in your walls. Don’t make it obvious by cutting out big chunks of drywall. Many spots are already cut that can be used for this purpose. How about unwiring your electric socket and using that as an area to stash your jewelry?
The most useful tool for finding home security is the Internet. Check out reviews you find on the web. With that information, you can make your appointments with the top three companies you’ve chosen so that you can compare pricing and look at specific monitoring and plans.
Keep the wires of your home security system hidden. Exposed wires make it easy for an intruder to cut them and disable the alarm. Never make things easy for them. Ask the person installing it to bury the wires or hide them inside the walls. This will make you much safer.
For maximum safety, your home needs bright exterior lighting. Burglars seek darkness so that they can stay hidden. The most important parts of your home to light are all of its potential access points. This includes porches and doorways, the garage, as well as ground floor windows, which can invite an intruder.
Once you’ve moved to a new house, make it a priority to replace all locks. Though you may not suspect that the seller is up to something, you still need to be careful. Keep in mind that other people may have lived in the home prior to the seller.
Think about your specific needs and risks prior to investigating security systems. Though such systems can be terrific for many, not everyone really needs one. Sometimes just taking a class in self defense or adopting a loud dog is enough, while at other times a full fledged security system might be the way to go. You need to assess risks and choose a system adapted to the kind of situations you are likely to run into.
Obtain flashlights with solid batteries, and ensure they are kept in all the rooms of your home in the event of a power outage. Flashlights are very important, as they will give you the ability to move around in the event of an emergency. Teach your children how to use the flashlights so that everyone in your household can help.
You need to get a good home surveillance system. Installing hidden and visible video cameras is great for securing a home. Most intruders are discouraged by visible cameras. But, if they attempt to disable the camera, you will still be able to see them if you have a hidden camera. Find a security system that gives you the option to view the video feed from your phone so you can check on your home at anytime.
When about to sign a contract with any home security firm, read all the small print. You need to find out about hidden costs, such as cancellation fees in case you want to cancel your contract before it expires. It is best to know all you can about a service you sign up for.
See if your security firm offers a variety of contract lengths. These lengths can be both good and bad. Longer contracts can lower your monthly bill; however, you may have to continue paying the bill even if you move or discontinue with their services. While the monthly rates may be higher for a short-term contract, this option is more flexible.
Keep your outdoor areas well lit. Criminals love darkness to help mask their crimes. Be sure all vulnerable exterior areas of your home are equipped with good lighting. Make sure your porch, garage, doorways and windows are well lit.
You need to take your car registration documents out of your car. Anyone with access to your car can find out where you live, so it is not a smart thing to do. Keep them on you, or another place to hide them. You still need to have them close in case you are pulled over.
Always request that your house or pet sitter remove fliers from your door. It isn’t uncommon for burglars to put up fliers to see whether or not they’re removed. Fliers that are left behind signal to the burglar that there is no one at home.
Hard-wired home security systems can help you to cut down on costs. The wireless ones are convenient, however, they need multiple battery sets that must be changed frequently. Forgetting to add new batteries can cause your system to not work as it should. Replacing batteries can get costly.
Install a home surveillance system. You can have great home security with both hidden and visible video cameras. Cameras that can be clearly seen have a powerful deterrent effect, while concealed cameras are difficult or impossible for intruders to disable. A lot of surveillance systems may be accessed through a cell phone, letting you check on your house when you’re away.
You should invest in a timer to turn lights on and off at regular times. This is simpler, as you will not have to flip any switches, and you will know the lights will go off and on in your absence.
Because of the many threats which can harm a home, each homeowner must take matters into his own hands to guarantee the safety of the home. You can find out some great ideas in this article to help keep your home safe. Use the above tips to make your home more secure.
You want to always make sure your second story windows are locked. People think no burglar will get up to that floor. This isn’t true. This is something that is a weak area, and criminals will go right to them.
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