Every homeowner needs to keep their family and home safe. Burglaries are becoming more and more common, and there are other things to be concerned about as well, such as a flood or a fire. Continue reading to educate yourself on home-security strategies to keep your home and loved ones safe from all potential threats.
Once you buy a house, switch out the locks. There is no way to ascertain how many keys the previous owner handed out. Call a locksmith to make sure you’re the only one with access to your home. You should also do this if your keys ever get lost.
It is important for your home to always look lived in. Buy timers so things will go on and off at different times. This will give your home the appearance of someone being there. That means burglars will pass right by.
Do you have an outside dog? She or he is actually a good place to keep the spare key. Attach the key inside their collar and make sure it can’t be seen. This works very well if you have a pet that is not very fond of strangers. You will get the access you need without having to worry about your safety.
After getting a new home, make sure to change its locks. You don’t know the exact number of copies of that key the previous owners have or have handed out. Hire a locksmith so that you can be sure you are the only person who can access your home. Do the same thing if you misplace your keys.
Don’t post online when you’ll be away from your home. While it is exciting to go to a new place and have a good time, you are letting thieves know that your house will be empty and they can come right in.
Some home security systems have additional security features besides sounding an alarm to deter a burglar. They often even alert you to any time a door is opened. This is useful for parents who have small kids, as it helps keep them from leaving the house.
Never open the door for a stranger. People try many ways to convince others to open up their doors so that they can commit burglary or worse. Therefore, only allow people you know and are expecting to enter your home.
Shop around when looking for a good home security system. Prices vary quite a bit. Make sure to obtain quotes from a minimum of three companies prior to deciding on a final one.
Eliminate dead vegetation and rotting wood from the yard each summer. These are vulnerable to fires and put your home in danger. Clear yard regularly to maintain your house safe.
Don’t just hide your spare key anywhere. Doormats and door frames are predictable places that burglars will always check. A better place to keep your key is inside your outside dog’s collar.
See what your local police department offers in terms of home protection programs. There are plenty of things that can be done, from a safety walk to cataloging expensive items to help protect your investment and your family. These programs can make a big difference to the security of your home, and they may just be a phone call away.
If your garage is attached to your home, always keep it secure. Lots of folks are concerned about burglars gaining access to the garage and then the home, but this can be addressed. Using a C-clamp on the garage door will prevent it from opening by staying on the door’s track.
Do not be reluctant to meet your neighbors. Get to know other people who live next door and others in your neighborhood. Keep your eye on their houses, and ask for help to keep yours safe too. Pay attention to gossip. You may end up hearing about things such as odd folks roaming about the neighborhood.
Contact the local police department to find out more about the protection programs they offer. They often offer home inspections, seminars and even the ability to purchase items. Discuss the possibility of this sort of program with your police department.
If you do not reside in a big city, you may not worry as much about home burglaries. Due to the distance between neighbors, some think rural areas are more likely to have intruders. Still, many believe that rural environments are less frequently targeted by burglars.
Security System
Make certain no one can see your valuable belongings through windows and doors. Large windows let in light and give you a great view outside, but that works both ways. You should cover any windows that are facing the street so your valuables will be safe.
You have a choice on who installs your security system, don’t be afraid to say no if something doesn’t feel right. If you are hesitant about the company, your gut feeling is especially important. Make sure that the installer has experience installing your type of security system. After all, you’re investing in a system that helps you to feel safe, so make sure the process involved in obtaining that system does the same.
When you purchase big, expensive items be sure to break down the boxes and take them to the recycling center yourself. Having these boxes outside of your house will give robbers the temptation of robbing your house.
A secure hiding place can be created in a wall. You can hide small, valuable items inside the walls of your home. Just take advantage of the phone jack, electrical outlet or unused switch plate. If there are no unused plates, you can easily install fake ones.
Before you let security company representatives into your home, check their ID. Criminals can easily pretend to be from a security firm as a means to gain entry to the house. Intruders could disguise themselves as home security representatives to inspect your current security system. Be cautious to stay safe.
If you’ve bought large or pricy items, avoid throwing out boxes until the day the trash is scheduled for pick-up. Having these boxes around for a while will give people an idea of what is inside your house.
Before allowing someone into your house, be sure to carefully check their references. You should do a background check as well to find out their criminal history. You might not know that the maid or contractor entering your home is a crook, and this could be a very bad mistake.
Moving into an apartment or home that you’ve lived in should involve changing the locks first to maker them safer. Previous tenants may have given the keys back to the landlord, but it is always possible to make copies of keys. If you own, you can have the locks replaced and only you will have had the key.
To increase your home’s security, buy some outdoor lights that are motion activated. Cost-effective and aesthetically pleasing, these lights really add value to your home. If placed strategically around the house, motion detectors can make it very tough for criminals to get to your property.
What do you need to personally feel safe? While these systems could be good for protecting your family, they aren’t for everyone. In certain areas, it may be just as useful to learn self defense or buy a dog, whereas other places may require added measures. Know the risks so that you can make a better decision.
Invest in a good paper shredder. Thieves can get lots of information simply by looking through your trash. You can also simply tear papers with personal information into small bits before you discard them.
When you are away on vacation have a house sitter bring in your mail and any flyers and newspapers that accumulate in front of your house. Burglars sometimes place fliers as a means to see if anyone is home to remove them. If their fliers are not moved, the crook knows the home is unattended.
Ask about the different contract durations that a security company can offer you. Each will have its own pros and some cons, too. The longer the contract, the lower your monthly bill, but if you move or become dissatisfied, you are stuck with the monthly fee. Shorter contracts have more freedom, but the monthly costs could be higher.
Every homeowner needs to take the necessary precautions to protect their home and property from potential threats like thieves or vandals. Ideally, you’ve picked up quite a few useful security hints from the preceding article. Use these concepts as a means to increase the safety level of your home.
Ask the company if they offer systems for lease and sale. Buying equipment can be pricey upfront, but it’s a single cost versus a monthly cost. While leasing might be less expensive, it also comes with high monthly fees and contracts. You must review both options carefully to determine which will best suit your needs.
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