It is a good idea to be as informed as possible when it comes to home security. This is not a decision you should take lightly. Rather, you’ve got to determine the best way to protect your family.
Make sure that you hide your spare key in a good spot. Placing a key above a door or under a doormat is quite obvious! A possible solution is to attach a key to your outdoor dog’s collar.
Your dog could carry a spare key for you. Outdoor dogs or pet doors make this possible. Place the alternative key on your dog’s collar in case of an emergency.
If you will be away from your house for an extended period of time, turn the ringers off for all your phones. This is because a phone that is ringing and ringing can tip of a burglar that nobody is currently home.
Home security systems aren’t just about sounding alarms. Most of them can be programmed to alert you to anyone entering your home. This is important if you have small kids.
In the summer, remove vegetation and dead wood from your yard. They pose a fire risk. Clear your yard often if you want to prevent a fire from starting.
If your garage is attached to your home, always keep it secure. People often worry about people getting in through attached garages, but you have a solution. Use a C-clamp to secure the door if it’s off track.
Use your garage for what it was intended: your car. A car kept locked in a garage is much less likely to be stolen or damaged. Keeping your car out of sight is also a good way to prevent intruders from determining whether or not you are home.
Rid the outside of your home from dead wood, vegetation and overgrowth during the summertime. They are a potential fire hazard during warmer months. To make sure your home is safer, clear your yard periodically.
Use motion sensor lights. These kinds of lights will pop right on when they detect motion near your home. They will signal movement to you but will also serve as deterrents to the thieves. Don’t forget to replace the bulbs when they burn out.
Don’t be shy. Speak with your neighbors and friends in the area. Watch out for their homes, and ask them to do the same for you. Listen for gossip too. You might actually learn a thing or two concerning people that have been hanging around.
Use your wall spaces to hide your valuables. You do not need to remove segments from your walls. Take a closer look at your walls and note just how many access points there are already. Remove the wires from an electric socket you do not use so you can hide your valuable jewelry.
Go with your gut when you invite a home security company representative into your house. Don’t hire anyone who makes you uncomfortable. You should not hesitate to ask if you can work with a different representative or find a different company if you are not comfortable. The system and the company should put your mind at ease.
Don’t put your spare keys under floor mats or plants. While it can help you if you’re locked out, you could be letting intruders inside your home. Thieves aren’t stupid and also know common hiding spots. Rather, give your spare key to a neighbor or friend that you trust.
Rural Residents
If the home you are moving into is not brand new, you should change the locks on all the doors. Even if you’ve gotten a key from the previous owner or tenant, there could still be a lot of people out there who have keys to your home. You can do your own installation to make sure that no one else has a key.
Your risks of being the target of home intruders really doesn’t depend on the area in which you live. Some people feel that rural residents lead riskier lives because they are far away from neighbors. Others feel rural residents have a lower risk of being burglarized.
If you allow a security company to come to your house, make sure they appear professional and can present identification. 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 puts your household and valuables at considerable risk. Act cautiously in order to stay away from potential dangers.
Avoid leaving spare keys outside of your home. Instead of letting you into your home in the event you are locked out, you are providing criminals with easy access to your home. For obvious reasons, experienced burglars know every possible hiding spot. A better option is to entrust an honest neighbor with a spare key.
When you hire a type of home security company, read the contract’s fine print before signing. Look out for hidden charges and surprises, especially if you need to cancel the contract early. These are costs you’ll want to avoid.
You need flashlights and plenty of batteries in each room just in case your power ever goes out. These items will help you remain safe when there is no electricity. Make sure each member of your family knows where the flashlights are and how to operate them.
Make sure your home’s exterior is well lit. Burglars like using darkness to hide. Add lights to any areas you believe are potential entry points for burglars. Consider all your doors, porches, patios, decks, garages and all ground-level windows.
Keep lights on at all times if you want to prevent break-ins from happening. They prefer not to be seen. A well-lit home is like a red flag to a burglar. Keep lights on during the night.
Think about what you need to feel safe before considering security systems. Though such systems can be terrific for many, not everyone really needs one. Some neighborhoods feel more safe than others, but a good security system definitely makes you feel more safe. Learn about all of your options before choosing anything.
Don’t limit security to the inside of your home; the outside needs attention too. Doors and windows should not be obstructed by trees, plants or shrubs. If they can be seen, there will be no place to hide. For a beautiful yard that’s also safe, keep the landscaping separated from the house.
Never enter your house if the door is open or something doesn’t feel right. The thief might still be inside, and you don’t have any idea whether or not they are armed. Instead, you should call 911 and wait in a safe location for the police to arrive.
Security Systems
If you don’t own a paper shredder already, you might want to get one. Thieves often dig through garbage to obtain personal data that will help them enter the house. If a shredder is too expensive, at least tear relevant paperwork into small bits.
Think about your specific needs and risks prior to investigating security systems. Security systems are a proven method of reducing your chance of break-ins, but it is not always the right choice. Sometimes you may just want to invest in a dog or self-defense classes. You need to assess risks and choose a system adapted to the kind of situations you are likely to run into.
You need to get a good home surveillance system. This will allow you to see who is around your house. If a burglar can see them, they are likely to go away. Nowadays, you can track your surveillance on your own cell phone.
Look into wireless security systems. A wired system might cost less, but they can require extensive rewiring work and may be rendered useless if the power fails. Systems that operate in a wireless environment can be easier to manage and are not as likely to cause extensive rewiring issues.
Do not put electronic boxes in the front of your house. A burglar sees this as an invitation to procure the item themselves. Cut up the boxes completely instead.
If you don’t own a paper shredder already, you might want to get one. Thieves often look through garbage, trying to find credit card information or other important documents. If you can not afford to purchase a paper shredder, just rip the paper into smaller pieces.
Speak with your security company about contract lengths and any options available. Each probably has its own set of positives and negatives. A longer contract might give you a lower monthly bill, but you could be stuck with those monthly costs if you sell your home or decide to discontinue services. With a shorter contract, you will have a greater level of flexibility. The downside is you will also have larger monthly bills.
If you will be going out of time, have someone you trust get your mail. Also, have them look for fliers stuck in your door. Thieves will drop off flyers to see if home owners are away. Fliers that are left behind signal to the burglar that there is no one at home.
Think about getting a hard-wired home security system if maintenance costs are an issue for you. Wireless systems, while convenient, will require much more maintenance. If you do not stay on top of your wireless security system, you run the possibility of it failing when you need it most. It can be expensive to replace a ton of batteries.
Consider installing a surveillance system for your home. Installing hidden and visible video cameras are great for securing your house. Visible cameras can deter many intruders and if they disable them, the hidden cameras can still capture footage. Surveillance systems often allow you to access videos through your cell phone, too.
An automatic device can control your lights, turning them on and off at the time you set. This can simplify your life, but it also makes your home appear lived in if you are away.
Could burglars see inside your garage? Make sure that they can’t! Use a frosted film to cover the windows. This can be purchased at many hardware stores. Make a habit of keep your door closed and locked.
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 wouldn’t want strangers leering into your home. When your valuables are on display, burglars will see it as a veritable buffet. Do not grant outsiders a full view of your entire home and your belongings.
When you’re dealing with a security company that provides you with significant equipment to install, ask about the benefits and drawbacks of buying versus leasing. You can avoid interest rates by buying the security system right away. Leasing may seem cheaper but might require contractual agreements and fees. Compare both avenues to see which one is better suited for your needs.
Ask your security company if they offer motion sensitive lighting. A lot of them have this, and they cause outside lights to come on when people approach your home. This will ward off thieves and make you feel safe when you come home.
Don’t make an obvious or easy password for your numeric keypad lock. Your birthday can be found on mail or social media sites, so this means anyone can access your home. Make it something that is unique and that you can remember.
Be sure to clean your carbon monoxide and smoke detectors regularly. Lint and dust can build up and make them less sensitive. Thus, detectors won’t protect the home against smoke or carbon monoxide.
Install a hard-wired system if you want to minimize maintenance costs. The wireless ones are convenient, however, they need multiple battery sets that must be changed frequently. Not replacing the batteries keeps your system from working properly. Replacing all of those batteries will cost a lot, too.
Thieves don’t like video cameras. Burglars we see in movies that wear masks are purely fictional. Quite a few home burglars won’t wear a face covering because their plan is to avoid contact with others. When they spot surveillance equipment, they tend to leave.
Now that you’ve come to the end of this article, you know a lot more about home security. You don’t have to approach home security with your eyes closed. You want to make your family’s safety your priority. Keep these tips to consider as you go on.
A window air conditioner needs to be secured with a bar or other device. Unless they are bolted down and secured, a thief can remove them and gain access to your home. In the winter, make sure you remove them from the windows for extra protection.
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