If you’re a single female or mother that lives alone and you don’t feel like you can defend yourself physically, the topic of home security may be a large issue for you. You can do a few things to end your anxiety. Keep reading to find out more.
Don’t ever let it be apparent that there is no one at home. You could purchase timers and have your TVs, lights, radios and other types of electronics to go on at various times. This gives off the appearance that someone is home. This is a simple way to give people up to no good think that you are home.
After getting a new home, make sure to change its locks. This is because you really have no idea who has keys, and therefore access to your home. 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.
You should never give details about your vacations and other plans on social networks. While these platforms are there for sharing, this is announcing to the world that your home is an open target.
When looking for a system to secure your home, do comparison shopping. 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.
Keep your car in your garage if you have one. Keep the car within the garage will make sure no one harms or steals it. Additionally, if your car is put away, burglars will not be able to tell whether or not you are home.
When placing your spare key outside for emergencies, give careful consideration to where you put it. The doormat is too obvious of a place to hide it, as robbers will look there first. An example would be to attach a key to your dog’s collar, if he stays outdoors.
When choosing a home security firm, trust your instincts. This is very true when you feel uneasy about the person installing the system. If you simply are not comfortable with a company’s technician, request for another technician or simply hire another company. Your security system is supposed to help you, not cause you more stress.
Seek recommendations from friends and family when choosing a security company or system. Other people will probably have personal experience with these companies that are either good or bad. They can share their experiences with you, which will greatly assist you in making the best decision. Spending a few days asking for reviews is useful in helping you choose correctly.
Skylights need to be secure, too. Intruders could use skylights to enter your home. Any skylights in your home should be secured with strong hardware.
You should clean your yard of vegetation and dead wood. These items have a higher chance of catching fire during the hot months. You can prevent disasters by keeping your yard clean.
Walls are great for hiding things. You can hide small valuables in your walls. You can use the opening provided by an electrical switch plate or other device that is not being used. Anything not used currently makes a good spot for hiding.
The police department in your area may offer a home protection program. These programs may include engraving identification codes on your valuables, home inspections, and advice about home security. Call and see what is available.
Don’t put extra keys under doormats or in planters. These seem like great places for you when you misplace your key. Burglars always know just where to look. Try having your trustworthy neighbors hold spare keys.
If you own a garage, be sure to use it to place your car, as opposed to using it as a storage. This will help to keep your vehicle safe. This can also keep people from knowing your schedule.
There is a lot of value in copper wiring. This is something few homeowners realize until they become victims of wiring theft. The reason they are valuable is because of their copper. A burglar can easily strip off your wires from the outside of your home very quickly. This is why the wiring should be hidden or difficult to get to.
Be bold. Talk to your neighbors and those on your block. Watch their homes and ask them if they’ll watch yours as well. Don’t ignore any gossip either. While this is unorthodox, it may clue you into a possible home security threat.
Remove and replace any wood that is not up to par. The rotten wood will be simple to remove, allowing a thief access to your home. Wood that is beginning to rot should always be replaced to make sure your home stays safe.
You need to change our locks as your first step to ensuring your safety. Maybe you had a roommate move out or have a disgruntled ex-lover, changing the locks is the best way to keep yourself safe. Changing locks is not very expensive and should be done within a few hours.
It is important to always have fresh batteries and flashlights handy around the house. Flashlights are very important, as they will give you the ability to move around in the event of an emergency. Train your kids how to use flashlights so that all members of the family can contribute.
You can hide things in your walls. If you need to protect expensive items in your home, put them inside the walls. Simply take advantage of an unused switch plate, electrical outlet, or phone jack. If you don’t have unused plates, it’s easy to put in a fake one.
Motion sensing lights are a good way to increase home security. These lights not only give off light at night, but can also offer security around your home. Properly-situated motion detectors will give your home a complete field of protection and make it impossible for a miscreant to approach undetected.
When selecting a home alarm system, choose one that protects many areas of your home, not just the doors. All of your windows are possible entry points for a thief too. The alarm and monitoring system should be set for all windows and doors. This can mean the difference between a safe home and one that is an easy target.
Ask about the history of any home security company you are considering. Companies that have been around for years have shown that they know the industry and that their services are reliable and great enough for recommendations. It can ease your mind when you know you’re not doing business with a company that might not be around tomorrow.
Are you aware of the fact that your home wiring is worth money? People often don’t think about this until they have it stolen from their home. Copper wiring is very valuable and susceptible to being stripped from the outside of your home. Be sure to keep your wiring hidden or difficult to reach.
Use a wireless security system. Wired systems might be a bit less expensive, but they often involve intrusive rewiring of your home, and can become faulty during 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.
Screen the references of anyone who would have access to your house. Run a criminal background check on them, as well. There is no way of knowing whether or not service people are honest, so you should not give them keys to your home.
Can you read your house numbers clearly from the street? 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. This is a very easy issue to have rectified.
Motion-sensitive exterior lighting is a must. These lights will keep your property well lit and give you a good idea of who approaches your home. With good positioning and properly set motion detectors, intruders will not be able to sneak up on your home unnoticed.
If you have a numeric keypad on your door as your lock, don’t make the password your birthday. People can easily access your birth date in order to gain entry to your home. Use a number you can remember through some trick of memory known only to you, making it difficult for someone else to figure it out.
Consider your security risk and safety needs before purchasing home security systems. Although these systems can protect you and your family, not everybody needs them. Sometimes you may just want to invest in a dog or self-defense classes. Before you sink a lot of money into your home’s security, make sure that you’re properly addressing your particular risks.
You should think about a wired system if maintenance is a concern. 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. Additionally, it can be expensive to replace a lot of batteries.
If you purchase a new, pricey electronic like a TV or computer, don’t leave the empty box near your curb. If thieves see these type of boxes outside your home, they may want to break in to steal the items. Remember to cut up or break down those boxes and take them to the recycling center.
Ask the security company whether or not that have motion sensitive lighting. Many companies offer this, and it causes the lights on the outside of your home to go on as soon as someone approaches an entry way. This further protects you from having unwanted guests enter your home.
Your dog is a great tool for protecting your home from intruders. Dogs become extremely protective of their families and bark when uneasy. A common misconception, though, is that you have to have a large animal to be safe. Small dogs also help, because intruders don’t want people to notice the barking.
A sliding glass door often presents a big challenge to home security. The glass doors can easily be unlocked or broken. If your security system is not connected to the doors, cut a board or pipe the exact length of the door channel, and drop it in the space to secure the doors. This will ensure the door stays tightly shut and it is difficult to force open.
Find out more about the different contracts your security company offers. There are sure to be both good points and bad points about each option. A contract that is longer might offer lower monthly payments, but you may have to continue with these if you decide to sell the house or discontinue services. Shorter contracts mean more freedom along with higher costs.
Locks inside are great, but you must be able to lock your home from the outside as well. A deadbolt meets this requirement and is a good burglar deterrent as well.
Securing your house doesn’t mean you’ve got to go through pricey installs and waiting on slow companies to get the work done right. There are many cheap products or even habits you can adopt to protect yourself. Keep these suggestions in mind in order to protect your home from any threat.
When buying a security system, aim to buy one from the company instead of through a re-seller. A re-seller might not offer the same kind of services you can get from a home security company, and they will sell the same products for more. By doing business with a manufacturer, you are guaranteed a lower price and more generous warranty terms.
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