Keeping the bad guys on the outside is what you want to do as a homeowner. It’s a challenge to figure out what your first step should be though. The information included here will help you figure out what to do.
Home security systems offer other triggering features besides having an alarm sound. Many systems can alert you whenever anyone has entered your home. This could be valuable for parents who have small children, making them aware when their kid has closed or opened a door.
Your faithful dog makes a great hiding spot for a spare key. This will come in handy if your dog is outdoors most of the time or if it can go outside through a pet door. Latch the key on his collar and voila–you have a spare key available!
Have lights that are motion-sensor installed. They’ll flip on when people walk within a certain distance of your house. You will be alerted to movement, but most importantly, it will deter burglars or at least make you aware of their presence. Remember that the bulbs need to be changed so that the lights keep working.
Do you keep your dog outside if you leave the home? Your pet might just be the perfect place to stash a spare key to your home. Secure the key on the inside of the dog’s collar. If your dog is suspicious of strangers, you have found a good hiding place for your key.
Those living in rural areas often don’t worry as much about intruders compared to city dwellers. Nonetheless, people in the country may be at greater risk due to being far away from neighbors. You need to do some research on the areas where you live to get an idea of how frequent break ins are.
Invest in a safe in order to secure very valuable items. This is important, since you don’t want your valuables exposed to a potential intruder. Be sure to put your safe in an out of the way place like the basement, attic or under the floorboards.
A wall is a great hiding place. If you own small valuables that require protection, try hiding them in the walls. Repurpose phone jacks and electrical outlets as tiny wall safes. If you use all of them, you can always have fake ones installed.
When in the process of purchasing a home-security system, be sure to comparison shop. Prices can differ a lot among companies for the same type of protection. Make sure to obtain quotes from a minimum of three companies prior to deciding on a final one.
Did you know that the wires on your home are valuable? People often don’t think about this until they have it stolen from their home. Experienced criminals can make a decent amount of money quickly by stripping copper wiring off of houses in order to sell it at a scrapyard. Be sure to hide your wires or make sure they are hard to get to.
Spare Key
Replace rotten wood on your door frame. Rotten wood is easily removed and can give an intruder a way into your home. Replace wood that is starting to rot with fresh new wood to keep your home as safe as possible.
If you want to have a spare key close to your house in order to prevent lockouts, make sure you give its hiding place some careful thought. Avoid cliched hiding places like over the door frame or beneath the doormat. Experienced criminals will check these places immediately. One good place to hide a spare key is in the collar of a dog that does not take kindly to strangers.
Obtain flashlights with solid batteries, and ensure they are kept in all the rooms of your home in the event of a power outage. Power outages are common to all sorts of emergency situations, so having flashlights handy will enable you to maneuver in the dark. Also show your children how to use them so they can help out in emergencies.
Be sure you have secured your attached garage. Many people worry about burglars getting into their attached garage and then entering their home, but there is a fix. A C-clamp is very useful for garage doors that lift on tracks. It will prevent garage doors from opening up whenever it is near the roller and is tight on the track.
Alter the locks and the keys when you change homes. The previous tenant or owner may not have the keys, but you don’t know if they made copies for themselves or others. You can purchase locks and install them yourself to ascertain that only you have a key.
End your shyness. Get to know other people who live next door and others in your neighborhood. Ask them to keep an eye on your home, and do the same thing for them. Don’t ignore any gossip either. You may stumble across valuable security information, like if someone has noticed a stranger lurking around the neighborhood.
Before you let anyone go into your home, look at their references thoroughly. For a relatively small fee, you can also run a background check for their criminal history. There is no way of knowing whether or not service people are honest, so you should not give them keys to your home.
Switch your locks. Whether you just bought your home or someone just moved out that you were living with, this is an important step to any new situation. Changing locks is not very expensive and should be done within a few hours.
Use the Internet to find a reliable home security company. Many websites offer reviews, recommendations, and detailed pricing information. After that, choose your top three for consultations.
Be sure to secure the skylights to your home. Skylights are a great addition to any home, but they are also tempting entryways for crooks. The hardware that secures your skylights should be sturdy and durable.
If the front door is open when you get home, resist the temptation to go in alone to find the reason. This can be dangerous since the intruder might still be on the property. It is best to call the police right away and go to a safe place until the police check your home.
If you make a large purchase, like a big screen television, don’t simply set the box out in front of your home. Having these boxes nearby can tell robbers what kind of merchandise you’ve got in your house.
For improved security, put your home under video surveillance. Video camera installation can effectively make your home secure. Intruders can be deterred to visible cameras, but hidden cameras are better if criminals damage the other cameras. Many surveillance systems will allow you to access them through your cell phone; therefore, you can ensure your home is safe even when you’re gone.
The wiring outside of your home can be valuable. People don’t realize this until it is stolen. Experienced criminals can make a decent amount of money quickly by stripping copper wiring off of houses in order to sell it at a scrapyard. That’s why it’s important to hide your wiring, or make it hard for criminals to have access to it.
Keeping a dog provides a great way to boost your home’s defense. These pets are usually territorial and want to protect their masters. Your dog doesn’t have to be a big, burly attack dog. Even a small dog will deter intruders, who do not want a lot of noise when they commit their crimes.
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.
Find out about the various lengths of contracts your chosen home security company has on offer. There are advantages and disadvantages to each. Longer agreements may cost less per month, but you may not be able to get out of the contract if you need to. If you want more freedom, it is best to purchase a more expensive but shorter contract.
A wireless security system could be a good option. A wired system is probably less expensive, but wires are a hassle. Wireless systems tend to be easier for installation and maintenance, and they will not go out if your power does.
Find out if the company you choose will give you the option of buying or leasing home security systems. Buying the equipment might cost more up front, but it means a one time cost that does not continue every month. Leasing is a good way to avoid the initial expense, but you will have to pay monthly fees. Explore both options to see which works best for you.
When standing in the street, can you see your house numbers? If an emergency happens, the police can’t get to the home as quick if your numbers are obscured in any way or are too small. Happily, it’s quick and easy to fix this problem.
Home alarms are a good investment, but only when someone who hears it calls the cops. Purchase a centrally monitored alarm to reap all the security benefits possible. You cannot depend on your neighbors to call them.
Ask if your company offers options to both buy and lease your security equipment. Buying your equipment may cost more initially, however it can actually save you money over time. While leasing might be less expensive, it also comes with high monthly fees and contracts. You must review both options carefully to determine which will best suit your needs.
Sliding patio doors present a security problem in many homes. The glass doors can easily be unlocked or broken. If your doors are not equipped with a security system, grab a pipe and cut it so that it fits the channel of the door. This holds the door firmly in position. Even if the lock is broken, the door will still be held closed.
Don’t hide your key somewhere obvious. A fake rock or flower pot are simply too easy to guess. Doormats and rocks in front of the house are too obvious. Just leave your key with someone you trust. When this isn’t an option, you should at least use your imagination when choosing a hiding place.
Establish some good relations with your neighbors. The nosy neighbor may not make for good company, but he or she is likely to notice suspicious individuals near your house. By befriending this person, you will always have updates on the latest neighborhood news and threats.
Keeping the home safe is something you need to do for a calmer mind. There is little doubt among homeowners that this is true. It may not be apparent at first until you study the subject. This article should have helped you start that.
Deadbolts with captive keylocks are the best locks on the market. This makes it impossible to open the lock from the outside because of the thumb latch. When you’re at home, you can leave your key in the keyhole so you’re able to leave in the event of an emergency.
Do not worry if it seems like too much information to absorb initially. Though there is so much to learn, you will benefit in the long run. Apply the tips from this article and keep looking for more information.
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