Learning the basics of home security is something that all homeowners need to do. However, you have to sift through the huge amount of information that is published on the matter. The tips in this article will help you learn the basics of how to protect your family and your possessions.
Security systems are more than just an alarm. They can actually be set to chime whenever a monitored door is opened. This is important if you have small kids.
Don’t give the keys to your home to a professional cleaner unless you trust them completely. If you do give your housekeeper a key or plan on doing so, it is imperative that they are honest and upstanding. Be sure to make sure their references check out. If the cleaner is from a firm, try calling the local BBB to find out about the firm’s reputation.
Buy fire-resistant building materials. This is a good way to protect your home against fires, for instance if you live near power lines or in a dry area. Fire is such a destructive force that it makes excellent sense to reduce fire hazards in your home whenever possible.
Is your dog outside even if you are away? Store the spare key with them. Attach the key inside their collar and make sure it can’t be seen. This is quite effective if your pet does not respond well to strangers.
During summer, remove your landscape’s dead vegetation and wood. These can be fire hazards and can cause damage to your home. Regularly clear away your yard to keep your home in good standing and safe for your family.
Comparison shopping is essential when seeking a security system for the home. The prices can vary a great deal for the same level of protection from company to company. Be sure and get a minimum of three quotes from different companies prior to choosing one.
Install lights that use a motion-sensor. When a person walks by your home too closely, these lights will go on. The lights will notify you of motion and also deter would be burglars. Don’t forget to replace the bulbs when they burn out.
Shut off the ringer for all of the telephones in your home if you are planning to go on vacation for a long time. If the phone rings when you are away, burglars will know there’s nobody home, making the house vulnerable to a break-in when you are out.
Find a home security company you can trust. 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. Remember, the new security apparatus is meant to make you feel safe and secure.
Remove old plants and debris from your yard. This can be a fire hazard, especially if you live in an area with high heat. Clear up your yard so it looks good and is safe.
When in the process of selecting an alarm system, you should select a system that protects more than simply the doors of your home. Your windows are also points of entry for burglars. Get an alarm that will trigger if either the doors or windows are opened. This is vital to keeping your family safe.
If you’ve got a garage, make sure to use it for your car rather than extra storage space. Keeping the car in the garage can keep thieves from vandalizing or stealing it. Keeping your car out of sight is also good for thwarting burglars’ attempts to determine when you are likely to be away from home.
Before signing up for home security, find out how long they’ve been in business. A reliable home security company is one that has a long history in the community and can offer references from satisfied customers. You should not trust a company that does not have a good record with your local Better Business Bureau or few years of experience.
It will not benefit you to be shy. Speak with your neighbors. Watch their homes and ask them if they’ll watch yours as well. Listen to gossip also. You could learn important security information, such as if strangers have been lurking around the neighborhood.
Think about getting a home security system that is wireless. These systems are much more efficient and can save you time and hassle. A wireless system is easy to install and to maintain. Besides, you will still be able to count on your wireless system in case of a power outage.
Do you live outside the city? You might be less worried about home invasions than if you lived in an urban area. With neighbors so far away, it may seem like a tiny risk. However, understand that regardless of where you live, a theft can occur anywhere. Therefore, you need to be prepared.
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 sometimes place fliers on front doors and then wait to see if anyone removes them. A flier that hangs around for days on end lets burglars know that there’s no one in the home.
Hiding Spots
Do not store your vehicle registration documents in your car’s glove compartment. Otherwise, anyone who can get into your glove compartment can find out where you live. You should keep them on your person, or find another place in your vehicle to hide them. You must have this information on hand if you are stopped for a traffic violation.
The walls of your home make for great hiding spots. If you own small valuables that require protection, try hiding them in the walls. You can use phone jacks or electric outlets as hiding spots. You can also just put in a false plate to cover a hiding place.
If you have an established routine for turning your lights on and off, consider investing in a timer. This makes your life a bit easier, and it means that your lights will still be lit even if you are away from long periods of time.
Use the space in walls to store your prized possessions. You do not have to cut pieces out of the walls to do this. There are many places in your home that are pre-cut and available. Perhaps you could deactivate a few unused electrical sockets to use as a place to store stuff.
Always close your curtains, especially if a passerby can easily look in your windows. You never want to make it easy for folks to peer into your home. If thieves can see your things, they might think about paying you a visit. Keep your valuables out of sight and you’ll make yourself less of a target for crime.
Lock your home when you leave, even if you don’t think you will be away for long. It may be a little surprising, but most burglaries and break-ins happen because the intruder just walks right through an open door. A thief can steal lots of stuff in a little amount of time.
If you have a door that isn’t solid wood or metal, change it for either one. These doors are much more sturdy. A would-be intruder will have much more trouble getting through one of these than a hollow door. It shouldn’t be too expensive to replace all exterior doors, so do it immediately.
Entry Points
A home alarm investment is well worth the money, provided someone contacts 911 when it is set off. Having it centrally monitored is your best bet. It is not easy to rely on neighbors for your safety.
When you pick an alarm system, it’s a good idea to get one that provides protection for both doors and windows. Your windows are easy entry points for crooks too. You want to be sure that the alarm is connected to all windows and entry points. With this method, your family will be safer.
Try not to get sliding glass doors in your home if security is a serious issue. They can be simply unlocked with a lift and a shake. If you don’t have your security system connected to them, try cutting some pipe to fit into your door channel. This holds the door firmly in position. Even if the lock is broken, the door will still be held closed.
Once you’ve moved to a new house, make it a priority to replace all locks. It may seem as if the former owners of the home are honest, but really you don’t know much about them. And, other people could have lived in the home previously to them as well.
Many people avoid the neighborhood busybody, but try getting on their good side. They will let you know if they see someone suspicious near your home. If they know and like you, they will be more inclined to let you know.
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. They lights will light up your property at night and they are cost-effective and efficient. If placed strategically around the house, motion detectors can make it very tough for criminals to get to your property.
When it comes to pets, large breed dogs are an excellent security addition. What burglar wants to deal with that? Consider getting your family an animal companion that can contribute to the security of the home in addition to being a lovable pet.
You should think about getting a home security system that is wireless. While a wired system is more affordable, it also requires more extreme modifications of your home’s existing wiring. This could be a potential problem in the event that your power goes out. Wireless systems tend to be easier for installation and maintenance, and they will not go out if your power does.
Try to purchase your security system direct from the company, rather than from a re-seller. Re-sellers are out to score quick money, and they likely won’t offer you any guarantees. If you get your product from the company, you will avoid a ton of fees.
If you just purchased electronics, do not leave empty boxes outside. Burglars will instantly take notices of these boxes and what used to be in them, making you an easy burglary target. Cut the boxes and wait until the garbage truck comes to put them outside.
Don’t leave toys outside when not in use. This gives off a very feminine vibe to your property, making it seem more vulnerable to attack. Homes with women living inside them are usually targeted more due to the fact that women typically own more expensive jewelry than men.
Homeowners need to learn everything that they can when it comes to security. Unfortunately, separating the good information from the chaff can be quite a job. So, you will find it to be worth your while to keep looking back at these tips if that is what it takes to secure your home.
No matter who lived in the home before you moved in, replace the lock or rekey it. This is correct regarding home purchases and rentals, so discuss it with your landlord, or perform the lock switch yourself.
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