Most people envision a difficult process with regards to installing home security. It doesn’t have to be difficult. Go over this article to learn more about home security and how you can keep your home safe.
If someone comes to clean your home, only give them a key if they’re trustworthy. Anyone you give the keys to your home to should be unarguably honest. Do a background check on them. If this professional is from a company, it’s best to check with the Better Business Bureau to see what kind of reputation they have.
When you buy a new house, change the locks. You cannot be sure of the number of key copies that the former owner gave out. To make sure no one else can get into your home, call a locksmith. In addition, replace your locks if your keys ever get lost.
Setting off an alarm during a burglary is just one of the valuable functions a good security system can perform. Many systems can be used to go off whenever anyone enters your home. This is great for parents that have small children so that they know when their kids open or close doors.
Do you keep your dog outdoors when you go out? Use him or her to help hide your spare key! Hook your key to the dog’s collar in a place that is shielded from view. This is very effective if your pet is afraid of strangers; therefore, burglars are not very likely to notice the key.
When looking to buy a security system, shop around. Prices vary quite a bit. Make sure to obtain quotes from a minimum of three companies prior to deciding on a final one.
Some home security systems have additional security features besides sounding an alarm to deter a burglar. Many systems can alert you whenever anyone has entered your home. It’s a great feature for parents as they can tell if a child is potentially leaving the house.
Eliminate dead vegetation and rotting wood from the yard each summer. These could catch on fire during the summer, especially if you live in a dry area. Always clear the yard to ensure safety.
Do not open your door for anyone you don’t know. People try many ways to convince others to open up their doors so that they can commit burglary or worse. Create the rule that you just open a door to people that you expect to arrive.
Remember to have an annual inspection of your home security system. Get someone from the security firm to inspect it. Many things can impact the performance of a security system, such as animals and weather. If you don’t see the problem, you may remain unaware of it.
Your garage should be as secure as your home. Intruders can enter your home through an unlocked garage door. Place a C-Clamp on the door track near the roller. This will prevent the door from lifting.
Be more proactive when you are determining the safety of your neighborhood. Speak with your neighbors. Keep on eye on their home and ask neighbors to return the favor. It does not necessarily pay to steer clear of gossip. You may hear valuable information regarding security, such as if any strangers have been hanging around.
In the summer, remove vegetation and dead wood from your yard. This can be a fire hazard, especially if you live in an area with high heat. Make sure your yard is clean for the sake of your safety – and that of your family!
Don’t ever place your spare key under your mat or next you a plant box. While you may feel that you are keeping yourself safe by allowing a way in for yourself, you are also allowing everyone else to visit whenever they want. Any thief knows all the typical hiding spots. The wisest course of action is to leave a spare key with a trusted friend or a reliable neighbor.
It doesn’t matter how much money you spent, you should have an annual test. Ask someone who works at the security company to do a maintenance check. There are quite a few things that can negatively impact the effectiveness of home security equipment. For example, adverse weather conditions or pests such as raccoons can cause problems. You may not know there’s an issue if you can’t see it.
No matter how soon you plan to return home, you should lock your doors. Many burglaries happen because the intruders can just walk right inside. A thief can steal your most valuable possessions in a short amount of time.
Your risks of being the target of home intruders really doesn’t depend on the area in which you live. Some people think that country folk are mainly targeted since they don’t have nearby neighbors. Others hold that burglars are not as likely to target rural areas.
Purchase an alarm system that has a few “bells and whistles;” you don’t just need protection for your doors. Your windows are easy entry points for crooks too. Attach an alarm to every one of them, and make sure all entry points are monitored. You want the best security possible for your family.
Walls are great for hiding things. If you own small valuables that require protection, try hiding them in the walls. Just take advantage of the phone jack, electrical outlet or unused switch plate. Even if every single plate in your home is being used, you can purchase a fake one purpose-built for concealing valuables.
The wiring on your house is valuable to burglars. Most people are unaware of this fact until a burglar takes it from their house. A skilled intruder could remove all the copper from your home within less than an hour. To keep the wiring safe, be sure that the wire is hidden from view.
Lock the house, even if just going away for a short time. Many home thefts start with the thief simply walking in an unlocked door or window. Thieves can make off with large amounts of valuable merchandise very quickly.
Be on the lookout for rotten wood anywhere near your doors or windows. Rotted wood can be easily removed by thieves. Replace rotting wood with fresh wood to improve your home’s security.
Take advantage of the Internet while comparing your home security options. Many websites offer reviews, recommendations, and detailed pricing information. Once you do this, make appointments with the three best companies you find so that you can compare pricing and other important details.
Prior to allowing access to anyone, make sure you are shown proper identification. You should do a background check as well to find out their criminal history. It is not a good idea to give anyone a key to your home, even contractors or repairmen.
A wireless security system for your home is a great option. Wired systems could cost less, but they can also require intrusive electrical work inside your house and can fail when the power goes out. Wireless systems are easier to install and maintain, and they do not rely on the power in your home to work correctly.
If you’re hiring a company for home security, be sure to read any fine print before you sign that contract. Sometimes, hidden costs can be incurred if you get rid of the service before a certain date. You should avoid such expenses if you can, so make yourself aware.
If you plan to be away and you have another person collecting your mail, have them double check your front door for fliers. Some intruders will place a flyer at your home to see if the flyer is removed immediately or not. Intruders can get a good idea of what your schedule is like or figure out that you are on vacation if the flyer stays on your door for a long time.
Get a custom-designed plan that fits your needs by having the security company do a site visit in your home. Each customer wants certain things as far as home security goes. You’ll get the best protection by using a company that can tailor a plan to your requirements.
Put a surveillance system in your home. Setting up hidden and visible video cameras is a good way to keep your home secure. Visible cameras are a deterrent to most intruders, and should they decide to disable them, a hidden camera will continue to capture footage. A lot of surveillance systems may be accessed through a cell phone, letting you check on your house when you’re away.
Always keep your home’s exterior well lit. Criminals love darkness to help mask their crimes. Motion sensor lights can work great because they can also alert you when someone does come onto the property. This includes porches and doorways, the garage, as well as ground floor windows, which can invite an intruder.
There is no need to have keyed locks on interior doors. Code or fingerprint enabled keyless entry locks are a great solution. These can be installed either by you, or a home security company.
If you plan to be away and you have another person collecting your mail, have them double check your front door for fliers. Some burglars place fliers to see if they’ll be quickly removed. Fliers that are left behind signal to the burglar that there is no one at home.
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If you purchase pricey, new electronics, don’t place empty boxes on the curb. When burglars see these boxes, they will know you have them inside your home, making it more likely for them to break in. After removing the contents from these boxes, tear or cut them up.
Don’t fit your exterior doors with locks of the spring latch variety. These type of locks can actually be opened by using a credit card. They can put the credit card in between the latch and door to open the lock. Add a deadbolt to existing spring latch locks for maximum security.
Make sure your address numbers are clearly visible from across 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 project any homeowner can tackle.
When you are out of the house, your drapes and blinds should be fully closed. If you keep them up, intruders will be able to see right into your home. If they spot an item they’re interested in, they will most likely try to enter. Keep them down when you’re asleep, too.
Do not use spring latch locks. This type of lock is extremely easy to break. Anyone with a credit card can do it. A thief only needs to skip the credit card in between the lock to make it open. Add a deadbolt to doors with spring-latch locks.
Do you turn the lights on and off during the same time period? If so, consider a timer. This can simplify your life, but it also makes your home appear lived in if you are away.
Store those items you can’t bear to lose in a very secure area. Passports, jewelry and expensive electronics must be secured at all times. A fireproof floor safe is ideal for this. Or, a better idea, is to place them in a deposit box outside of your home.
Rather than getting a security system put in, there are lots of other things you can do to add protection. Whether you want to put up a new fence, put some more locks on the door, or purchase a gun, you have quite a few choices. Keep these tips in mind and improve your home’s security.
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. It’s best to discourage peeping toms. Burglars may see something valuable, which will tempt them to steal. Use some discretion and make sure to block your valuables from view with curtains or shades.
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