Regardless of whether you rent or own, you want to be safe where you live. If you suspect that your home is not as secure as it could be, taking a moment to learn more about home security will be very enlightening. Keep reading to find out how.
Man’s best friend can also be trusted to secure a spare key. Of course, your dog has to be an outdoor dog (or you at least need to have a doggy door) for this to work. Just place your key on your dog’s collar.
Make your house look like it’s always occupied. You could purchase timers which make lights and TV’s, as well as other devices, power on or off at varying intervals. This makes people think you’re home. This is an excellent method for avoiding burglary and keeping your home secure.
You should not let anyone inside your home. Be wary of those who come to your door selling products, asking for help, or telling sob stories. There are some people who will just come in to see if you have a home security system, and if you do not, they could come back later when you are not home.
Do you keep your dog outside if you leave the home? She or he is actually a good place to keep the spare key. Put the key on the dog’s collar. This works especially well as storage if your pet isn’t too fond of strangers.
Don’t open your door for strangers. There are people who are going to be convincing, but they can just be professional thieves. You should make sure you only open the door to your home for people that you know and are expecting.
Make sure you have a safe to keep valuable items in one place. This will help to keep your jewelry and other valuables secured in the event of a break in. Keep it hidden in a hard to find location.
See what your local police department offers in terms of home protection programs. They may offer things such as home inspections, engraving tool loans, and other guidance about securing your house. Discuss these programs with a local police officer to see if they’re available in your area.
If you’ve got lots of people you don’t know on your social networks, don’t let them know that you’re going to be on vacation. If you do, burglars will know you’re not home and strike.
Have lights that are motion-sensor installed. When a person approaches your home, the lights will blaze. This is a good way of knowing who comes near your home and keeps you safe if you ever come home late. Get in the habit of checking and replacing the bulbs as necessary to ensure the lights remain effective.
Store your car in the garage if you have it. Keeping your car in your house will deter intruders from vandalizing or stealing it. Keeping your car in your garage also keeps a thief from knowing whether you are at home or not.
Walls can serve as a handy hiding place. You can hide small valuables in your walls. Just access unused switch plates, outlets or phone jacks. If you haven’t got any plates that are unused, simply install a false switch plate.
Put motion sensor lights around your house. They will illuminate your property if they sense any movement near your home. This is a good way of knowing who comes near your home and keeps you safe if you ever come home late. Replace bulbs regularly and check the sensors once a month.
Use the space in walls to store your prized possessions. This does not mean that you should make alterations to your walls. There are many places in your home that are pre-cut and available. An unused outlet can be taken apart, and the space used to create a tiny hidden safe.
The fist thing you’ll need to do for home security is to get new locks. This could be an ex-spouse or roommate you got into a fight with. It doesn’t cost much and they can usually show up within a day.
Make sure your home’s exterior is well lit. Burglars love to operate in the dark. You should put a light on any area where a person could break in. Make sure your porch, garage, doorways and windows are well lit.
Extra Keys
You should think about getting a home security system that is wireless. While systems with wires are cheaper, you have to rewire your home and worry about power outages. Wireless options are easy to install, need less maintenance and are not dependent on the home’s power source.
Don’t put extra keys under doormats or in planters. Though you might think that you’re giving yourself something you could use to get into your house when you’ve lost your keys, you’re actually inviting intruders inside your house. Thieves are aware of these hiding spots. Ask a friend, neighbor or relative to keep your extra keys for you.
Dogs are an excellent way to protect your home. Dogs naturally protect their homes and they make lots of noise when things go wrong. There is no need for a guard dog. Even the barking of a tiny dog can repel potential burglars, who want to avoid noises as they carry out their crimes.
Be sure your expensive belongings are not visible from the home’s exterior. If you have big windows near your big entertainment system, it can seem like an invitation to thieves. If your windows are facing the street, make sure you cover them and protect your valuables.
Find out more about the different contracts your security company offers. There are sure to be both good points and bad points about each option. A long term contract should have a lower monthly rate but it also requires you to commit for a long period of time. A shorter term allows for flexibility, but it might be expensive.
Regardless of how long you think you’ll be gone, make sure to lock your doors. A lot of times, burglaries happen due to carelessness. A thief can steal your most valuable possessions in a short amount of time.
Keep blinds, shades, and curtains closed when you’re not home. If you keep them up, intruders will be able to see right into your home. They may break in if they spot something that they like. You ought to turn the curtains down if you are sleeping as well.
If you are new into a house, replace all the locks. Regardless of how you feel about the sellers, you never know someone’s true intentions. People may have lived in the home before those owners, too.
If you have a numeric keypad on your door as your lock, don’t make the password your birthday. A thief can easily find this information out. You should choose a number no one else will be able to guess and change it regularly.
Rotten Wood
Store those items you can’t bear to lose in a very secure area. Some of these items can include legal documents, jewelry, passports, and priceless family photos. A great choice for keeping these items in your home is a floor safe. A better idea is storing them inside a type of safe deposit box that’s outside your home.
Rotten wood on door and window frames needs to be repaired. Rotten wood can be removed in order to get inside your home. Replace dead wood with thick, firm pieces to maintain a high level of security.
Draw the blinds at night in whatever room of your home faces the street. Don’t let anyone see inside. If potential thieves see valuable items inside your house, they may target your house. Be discreet when showing off what everyone can see, and you can be more likely to avoid burglaries.
Buy flashlights with strong batteries and make sure there is one in each room in case of power outages. They will help you get around in case your entire home is dark. Train your kids how to use flashlights so that all members of the family can contribute.
Inquire whether or not your security company offers motion sensor lighting. Most companies offer this option which detects within a given distance of your home and alerts you that someone is approaching. This can deter potential thieves, as well as offer extra security while you enter your home.
If you are seeking home safety ideas that are simple and inexpensive, you should buy outdoor lights with motion sensors. In the evening hours, this lighting can provide extra security and an economical way to light your front entrance way when you arrive. Positioned correctly, these lights can make it impossible for intruders to get on your property undetected.
Home alarms are a good investment, but only when someone who hears it calls the cops. An alarm system with full-time monitoring by a security company is the safest option. You can rest assured that the police will be called by the company. It is not safe to assume the neighbors will call the police.
You want to know what is included in a contract if you’re signing up with a security company. There are early termination fees, and there may be fees for extra equipment procured in the future. You should avoid these fees as much as you can; therefore, you need to know of their existence.
If you are female and live by yourself, you are a major target. Keep some shoes on your porch to make potential intruders think a man lives here. Burglars should pass on by.
Talk to any companies you’re considering hiring to install a security system about how long the company has been around. Find a home security company that has a good reputation and many years of experience to get excellent service. You’ll have a lot more confidence in your choice if you stick with a company that has a proven track record.
Buy security systems directly from the company and not a reseller. Re-sellers are out to score quick money, and they likely won’t offer you any guarantees. You can avoid these additional fees and have access to quality service by going through a reliable company.
Consider your security risk and safety needs before purchasing home security systems. Some systems aren’t necessary for some, while others may have a need for them. Sometimes just taking a class in self defense or adopting a loud dog is enough, while at other times a full fledged security system might be the way to go. Know what you want and make your decisions based on that.
Check and clean the carbon monoxide and smoke detectors in your home twice a year. They tend to get dust on them which can prevent the sensors from going off when they should. Thus, detectors won’t protect the home against smoke or carbon monoxide.
If you arrive home and you see that your door is ajar, never enter to investigate on your own. This is dangerous because the thief may be right inside. Instead, call the police to inform them of what happened, and wait on them.
Find a company that goes the extra mile when it comes to their security systems. Rather than giving you a basic system, they will evaluate your unique situation and tailor something to you. Some suggestions could include adding deadbolts to doors, trimming shrubbery or adding new window locks. You need to ensure that the firm really takes its work seriously, and you will be able to see that through such a consultation.
Armed with these ideas, you can begin to seek out the best home security solutions for your needs. Do not waste any time; put these ideas to work. Allow them to serve as a sounding board for all of your notions about home security. Anytime you know your home is well protected you can sleep better at night, so start now!
A window air conditioner needs to be secured with a bar or other device. A burglar can easily remove them and go inside if they are not secured. Remove your air conditioner unit from the window during the winter.
It’s time to start using all this great blue widget advice. It is always hard to dive into a new subject, but at least you understand the basics now. Before you know it, you will know as much as the experts.
About The Author
