Homeowners must secure their homes. While you may believe it is only necessary to install an alarm system in your home, you have many other choices. Read on to find out all you can.
Use your dog as the protector of your spare key. This works with a dog that stays outside or a dog with a pet door. Simply attach a spare key to your dog’s collar (in a secure and non-visible place, of course) so that you’ll be able to retrieve it if you need it.
You should always change the locks after purchasing a home. You will want to have a unique combination to stay secure. Have a locksmith install a brand new lock. Also, if you lose your keys, change the locks.
When you decide to purchase a home alarm system, make sure you comparison shop. Prices vary greatly in regards to the same protection for each company. Get at least 3 quotes from security system companies and compare features and services as well as monthly costs.
Does your canine stay in the yard while you go out? Store the spare key with them. Attach the key to the dog’s collar so that it is hidden from view. This is very effective if your pet is afraid of strangers; therefore, burglars are not very likely to notice the key.
Get advice from loved ones about home security systems. Most will be willing to share their likes, loves and loathes, especially as they realize how important it is to you. Spending a few days asking for reviews is useful in helping you choose correctly.
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. Get quotes from no less than three companies before choosing the best one.
Your garage should be as secure as your home. Lots of folks are concerned about burglars gaining access to the garage and then the home, but this can be addressed. You can use a C-clamp to stop the door from being opened.
Never open up your door to a stranger. People you do not know could have bad intentions or want to get an idea of how many valuable objects you own. Enforce a rule within your house that no one opens the door to unexpected people.
If you’ve got a garage, boost home security just by using it for only a car instead of storage. If your car is in your garage there is less of a chance to vandalize or steal it. This can also keep people from knowing your schedule.
Be sure to secure your attached garage. There is a way to prevent burglars from entering your home through the garage. Try putting a C-clamp on your garage door track. This will stop the door from rising if you want to keep it closed.
Changing the locks is a fundamental part of adding security to the home. There are many different people who might have keys from your past, and removing the potential of them accessing your home can be a very good idea. Changing the locks can typically be done very cheaply and quickly.
Make sure to clear your yard of brush and dead wood in the summertime. When summer heats up, such debris can catch fire. Clear yard regularly to maintain your house safe.
Go with your gut when you invite a home security company representative into your house. This is especially true if you are uneasy with those who are installing the actual system. Don’t hesitate to request a different technician or to hire a new company altogether. 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.
Security System
Don’t think you’re not at risk just because you don’t live in a big city. Some maintain that rural dwellers have greater risk since their neighbors live farther away. Others feel rural residents have a lower risk of being burglarized.
There’s no security system so durable that it can go without regular maintenance and inspections. Have yours checked out once a year. Make certain the security company you choose provides for regular inspections. Many things can impact the performance of a security system, such as animals and weather. You might be unaware of problems that arise in some cases.
Rotted wood in your door framing should be replaced. Anyone who wants to get into your home can easily pry away rotted wood and slip right into your home. When you see that wood is beginning to rot, replace it with new wood for better home safety.
Do not be reluctant to meet your neighbors. Speak with your neighbors and friends in the area. You’ll find that friendly neighbors make for a powerful support network. Keep an eye on their properties and they’ll respond in kind. Also consider listening in on some of the neighborhood gossip. You may hear valuable information regarding security, such as if any strangers have been hanging around.
Before allowing someone into your house, be sure to carefully check their references. You need to do background checks in order to find out about 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.
The first thing to do is get your locks changed out. This could be an ex-spouse or roommate you got into a fight with. Changing locks is not very expensive and should be done within a few hours.
One relatively inexpensive way to add an extra layer of protection to your home is to install motion sensor lights for the exterior of your home. At night, the lights will keep things bright round the house, but they are also efficient and cost-effective ways to help your security. If they are positioned correctly outside of your home, your motion detectors can make it impossible for strangers to sneak around.
You could hide some valuables within your walls. It’s not necessary to cut out parts of your wall to do this. There should be pre-cut spaces throughout your home that will suffice. What about un-wiring an electrical socket which isn’t used to utilize as a cover to hide your jewelry?
If you haven’t bought a paper shredder yet, make it a point to do so. Unshredded documents can offer up a wealth of valuable personal information to thieves, including enough of your schedule to allow them to pinpoint the best time for a burglary. You can tear your documents up by hand before disposing of them if a shredder is out of your price range.
Do that put spare keys above door frames or under door mats. While you may need to prepare if you have a spare key, it is wise to choose ways that do not increase the risk of a criminal gaining entrance to your home. Burglars always know just where to look. A better option is to entrust an honest neighbor with a spare key.
Can someone standing in the middle of the street see clearly your house numbers? The police will find it difficult to locate your home quickly if your address numbers are difficult to see. Just replace them if you need to.
Are you aware that your home’s wires are worth something? 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.
If you aren’t at the house, keep the windows and curtains closed. You don’t want potential thieves knowing you are gone. Potential intruders will see what you are doing and get an idea of how many valuables you own if you keep your blinds open. They may break in if they spot something that they like. Your window dressing should also be closed while you sleep.
If you scheduled an appointment for a member of the security company to come to your house, ask them to show you some identification first. You would be surprised how many thieves will impersonate security representatives to get into your house. This is dangerous to your valuables and your family. Trust your gut and if something does not feel right, it is okay to go with your feelings.
The glove compartment is bad place to store important documents like your car’s registration. Anyone with access to your car can find out where you live, so it is not a smart thing to do. Hide them somewhere else in the car, or carry them with you. However, make sure you have them in case you were to get pulled over by the cops.
Motion-sensitive exterior lighting is a must. Nighttime security lights are affordable and effective in terms of security and handy in terms of visibility and safety. They also help to keep intruders away, because an intruder does not want to come close to your property if they know they might be spotted.
Don’t hide your keys in obvious places. Fake rocks are particularly simple to spot. Doormats and rocks in front of the house are too obvious. It’s better to have a friend, neighbor or relative keep a spare set of keys for you. If you have no choice but to hide a spare key, apply some inventive, out-of-the-box thinking when you do it.
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. Realizing you at involved with a stable firm will give you a sense of calm that is important.
Ask the security company if they’re currently offering an 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 will ward off thieves and make you feel safe when you come home.
Consider your own personal safety needs and security risks before exploring home security systems. You might find that an alarm isn’t necessary at all. Depending on your neighborhood and your household, you might well be better served by a reliable guard dog or self-defense training than by high-tech gadgetry. Be sure to understand the sorts of risks you face before deciding what sort of security is best for you.
Though it is often good to avoid neighborhood gossips, make sure you are friendly with those in your area. While much of the information these folks pass around is useless, they’re also the first to pick up on suspicious activity in the neighborhood. If you make friends with them, it’ll be like having another set of eyes watching your home.
After reading these tips, your home should be safe. It may appear like a tough task at first, but it’s worth it. You can do exactly that with these tips.
Locks inside are great, but you must be able to lock your home from the outside as well. A deadbolt is always the best choice, and those with keys inside and outside guarantee a burglar cannot open it.
ergonomic pillow
Hospital mattress protector
mattress and box spring covers
About The Author
