Most likely you have had a friend or neighbor whose home was burglarized. Home invasions are a huge issue nowadays. Anyone can be a target. This article discusses what you are able to do to enhance your home’s security.
After you buy your new house, get new locks. You never know how many copies of the keys the previous owners made and handed out. To make sure you’re the only person that can get into your home, contact a locksmith. You should also have your locks changed if you lose your keys.
Get a safe to protect your valuable items. You would hate for your expensive jewelry, personal family belongings, etc. to be stolen in case a burglar breaks into your home. Keep it hidden in a hard to find location.
When looking to buy a security system, shop around. Prices vary significantly, even for similar levels of protection. Get three quotes or more before making a choice.
Look at the prices for all of the security systems that you are interested in. Most companies have different price schemes for the the same general level of protection. Try to get two or three quotes before making a decision.
You should talk to your friends and family about advice concerning certain home security companies. Your friends have gone through both bad and good experiences and they will be able to share them with you. Ask a few different people to help you make the best choice.
Consider the advice of your friends when selecting your home security company. They may have had experiences with certain companies and can lead you in the right direction. Do your research; it will help you make a good decision in the end.
Make sure the ringer on any phones in your home is turned off when you leave for vacation. If a burglar keeps hearing your phone ring, they’ll know the home is not occupied, making it more likely for a break-in to occur.
If you will be vacationing for an extended period of time, turn off the ringer on all the phones in your house. If your phone rings and is not being answered, criminals will realize that you’re away.
You should not let anyone inside your home. Do not give in, even if a person uses a convincing story, asks for help or says they are selling something. This is the first rule of keeping your home secure.
Don’t let people into your home unless you know them. Be wary of those who come to your door selling products, asking for help, or telling sob stories. Some people want to enter your home just to see if there is a security system in place. They may be scoping the place to come back when you’re gone.
Speak with the police in your town regarding the home security programs they have. These programs may include engraving identification codes on your valuables, home inspections, and advice about home security. Get in touch with the department to determine their offerings.
You should never open your door to someone you do not know. Criminals can be endlessly inventive when it comes to generating a convincing story to force their way into your home. No matter how sympathetic the story, remember that it could all be a put-on. Make a house rule forbidding anyone to open the door for an unexpected visitor.
Make your home safer by storing your car inside the garage. If your car is in your garage there is less of a chance to vandalize or steal it. Hiding the car from plain sight can keep possible intruders from figuring out when you’re home and also when you are not.
Eliminate dead vegetation and rotting wood from the yard each summer. These can be fire hazards and can cause damage to your home. Keeping your plants and bushes trimmed will benefit your family’s safety as well as the appearance of your home.
Put motion sensor lights around your house. These lights will come on if someone walks near your home. The lights will notify you of motion and also deter would be burglars. Just remember and change out the light bulbs whenever necessary.
It will not benefit you to be shy. Talk to your neighbors and those on your block. Keep watch of their homes when they are away, and ask if they will return the favor. Pay attention to gossip as well. You may end up hearing about things such as odd folks roaming about the neighborhood.
Trust your instincts when it comes to hiring a home security company. You are giving someone unlimited access to your home, so be sure the installer doesn’t give you a bad vibe. Ask the company to send a different installer or simply change companies. Remember that every aspect of your home security system should support you in feeling more secure.
Regardless of how long you plan on being away from your home, always lock all the doors and windows whenever you leave. Many home thefts start with the thief simply walking in an unlocked door or window. It does not take long for thieves to steal your expensive stuff.
Don’t throw away boxes for expensive or valuable items until the garbage collection day. They show the world you have money and lots of valuables inside.
When moving into a house, ensure that each lock has been replaced. While the person you bought the home from may seem on the up and up, you have no idea who they really are. People may have lived in the home before those owners, too.
Your flashlights should always be equipped with good, working batteries. Power outages are common to all sorts of emergency situations, so having flashlights handy will enable you to maneuver in the dark. Train your kids how to use flashlights so that all members of the family can contribute.
Rotted Wood
If you are searching for ways to make your home more secure, one inexpensive way to accomplish this is to purchase exterior lights that have motion detectors. Cost-effective and aesthetically pleasing, these lights really add value to your home. Positioned correctly, these lights can make it impossible for intruders to get on your property undetected.
If there is any rotted wood around your door frame, replace it. Home invaders interested are able to pry off any rotted wood to get inside. Replace any wood that has begun to rot with new wood so that your house stays safe.
Keep safety at the forefront when landscaping your property. The doors and windows of your home should not be obstructed by trees, fences or shrubs. If criminals know you can see them, they are less likely to break in. Keep landscaping away from your house for safety reasons.
If you are moving into a new home, change the locks right away. They previous occupants may have made copies of the keys. If you own, you can have the locks replaced and only you will have had the key.
A great security system for your home is a dog. Dogs are very protective of their turf and usually make noises when something is amiss. There is no need for a mean, big dog either. Even tinier canines can ward off intruders with enough noise.
You want to know what is included in a contract if you’re signing up with a security company. 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. Avoid nasty charges or fees regarding early termination, contract expiration and additional features or equipment.
Find out about the various lengths of contracts your chosen home security company has on offer. You will probably find there are many pros and cons associated with each different contract. Longer contracts may create a lower bill per month, but you you could maintain those monthly expenses if you discontinue service or sell the home. Shorter contracts mean more freedom along with higher costs.
Are you able to see the numbers on your house from the street? In the event of an emergency, police officers may have trouble finding your house if they cannot read your address numbers. Thankfully if you notice a problem it’s an easy and cheap thing to fix.
Avoid spring latch locks. These locks can easily be picked within a couple of minutes. Intruders simply wedge a credit card between the door and latch, triggering the lock to open. Add a deadbolt if you do not want to replace your spring latch locks.
A dog is an excellent burglar alarm. Man’s best friend is very territorial and makes a lot of noise during anything happening out of the ordinary. Your dog doesn’t have to be a big, burly attack dog. Even small dogs can keep intruders away since they don’t want lots of noise when committing crimes.
Does your security company offer leasing and buying? Buying the equipment might cost more up front, but it means a one time cost that does not continue every month. Leasing is usually cheaper, but monthly fees can be high and you will need a contract. Find out which will work best for your needs.
Talk to your home-security company to see if they provide buy and lease options for your equipment. Buying your equipment may cost more initially, however it can actually save you money over time. The cost of leasing is lower at first but adds up over time. Think about both options before making a decision.
If you keep a spare key outside, make sure it is not kept in an obvious location. A very obvious location is underneath fake rocks. Many people also know to check under the welcome mat. It is best to simply ask a neighbor or trusted friend to hold on to an extra key for you. If that isn’t possible, think outside the box when you hide it.
If you turn the lights off or on always at the exact time, utilize a timer. This makes it easier for you as you won’t have to flip the switch, but it also ensures the lights continue to go on and off, even if you’re not at home for a long period of time.
Set up a timer to turn your lights off and on at regular intervals. You will not have to expend as much energy taking care of the lights, but you will still be able to make sure your house is illuminated when you want it to be.
Solid Wood
If the living room window in your home has direct line of sight to the street, you’ll want to draw those curtains at night. You never want to make it easy for folks to peer into your home. If potential burglars see the valuable possessions inside your home, they may make your house their next target. Do not grant outsiders a full view of your entire home and your belongings.
If you have a door that isn’t solid wood or metal, change it for either one. Metal and solid wooden doors hold tight and fast. A burglar could not kick a solid wood or a metal door. It shouldn’t be too costly to replace your exterior doors, so go do it.
A home alarm system is a great investment, but it only works if someone notifies the authorities when it sounds. The best strategy is to buy a centrally monitored alarm so that the police always show up if it is triggered. Don’t count on neighbors to hear the alarm and call the police.
Locks from the inside can be helpful, but it’s not real useful if you are unable to lock your door from the outside. Deadbolts are the best choice, because you need a key for the inside and outside.
Sliding doors are a huge security issue. They are easy to unlock, all they require is a bit of lifting and shaking. If you don’t have your security system connected to them, try cutting some pipe to fit into your door channel. This can keep your door tightly closed and make it tougher to force wide open.
Burglaries happen in middle and lower class neighborhoods, too. Thieves will hit any home that looks easy to get into. By using these tips, you can keep your home protected from thieves.
Also, keep your second floor windows locked at all times. Many homeowners neglect this step because they believe burglars won’t bother climbing your home. This isn’t true. Experienced criminals know exactly where the majority of homeowners let their guards down, and they won’t fail to check for weaknesses like an open window on the second story.
natural latex pillow
Hospital mattress protector
mattress and box spring covers
About The Author
