Learning the basics of home security is something that all homeowners need to do. However, there is a lot of information out there on this topic, so it may seem overwhelming at first. This article can help you glean the most important pieces of information that can help you develop the most effective home security plan.
You should always make sure your home looks like its occupied. Use timers to make electronic devices and lights turn on and off at intervals. This makes it look as though people are home no matter what. This helps you keep your house burglar-free.
After you buy your new house, get new locks. You simply do not know how many keys to the old locks are floating around. To make sure you’re the only person that can get into your home, contact a locksmith. You should also have your locks changed if you lose your keys.
Do you have a dog that stays in your yard when you’re not at home? You could let your dog carry a spare key. Attach your spare key inside the collar of your dog. If your dog is suspicious of strangers, you have found a good hiding place for your key.
The only time you should give out house keys to house cleaners is if you absolutely trust them. If you do give out a key to such individuals, be certain you know their reputation for honesty. One way to do this is to check their references. 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.
Check with your local law enforcement agency about home protection plans. They may offer things such as home inspections, engraving tool loans, and other guidance about securing your house. Call them up to find out more.
Do you keep your dog outside when you aren’t home? You might consider leaving your spare key with your dog. Put it on their collar. This is very effective if your pet is afraid of strangers; therefore, burglars are not very likely to notice the key.
Security starts with new locks. As time passes, keys end up getting into the wrong hands. This doesn’t usually cost much, and it can be accomplished in less than a day.
Home security systems offer additional features besides loud alarms during a break-in. They can actually be set to chime whenever a monitored door is opened. This could be valuable for parents who have small children, making them aware when their kid has closed or opened a door.
Follow your instincts when choosing a home security company. This is doubly true when you feel unease about the installers. If you are unsure, contact the security company to make sure that the installer was actually sent by them. The point of that system is to feel safer after all.
When you set out to purchase home security equipment, remember to comparison shop. Prices vary greatly in regards to the same protection for each company. Get three quotes or more before making a choice.
If you live more out in the country, you may think that you’re not at risk. There are differences between large cities and homes located in the countryside. Still, many believe that rural environments are less frequently targeted by burglars.
Buy fire resistant flooring, roofing and ceiling. This adds an extra layer of protection to your home, especially if you live in a very dry area with power lines. Fire prevention is paramount.
Walls are the perfect place to hide. Small items of value can be hidden for safety in your home’s walls. Simply take advantage of an unused switch plate, electrical outlet, or phone jack. If you have no unused plates, you can easily install false ones.
Check with the police department in your town for home security tips and advice. They may offer neighborhood watch programs, home inspections, engraving tools for marking code numbers onto items so that they will be easily identified if stolen. Speak with the police in your area to see if they have these things.
Always lock your home when you leave it, no matter how soon you plan to return. Most real-world burglars aren’t master lock-breakers; they simply stroll in through a door left carelessly unlocked. Thieves can make off with large amounts of valuable merchandise very quickly.
Always lock your home, even if you plan on coming back within a few minutes. It may be a little surprising, but most burglaries and break-ins happen because the intruder just walks right through an open door. It doesn’t take long for a thief to steal thousands of dollars worth of stuff.
Look for an alarm system that does more than protect your doors. The best systems are those that cover windows as well. Be sure your alarm is secured to them all and that monitoring is in place for every point of entry. This can mean the difference between a safe home and one that is an easy target.
If you have a home security system installed, make sure the wires are hidden. You don’t want a burglar to get access to them and disable your system. Hide them in the walls or bury them underground to keep people from tampering with them. This helps keep you and your family safe.
Remove and replace any wood that is not up to par. The rotten wood will be simple to remove, allowing a thief access to your home. Replace dead wood with thick, firm pieces to maintain a high level of security.
Keep lights on at all times if you want to prevent break-ins from happening. They don’t wish to be seen. When your home is lit well, the crooks have nowhere to hide, making it difficult for them to steal from you undetected. Keep your home lit up all night long.
Prior to allowing access to anyone, make sure you are shown proper identification. A background check may also be a good idea. Avoid giving keys out to contractors, maids and repairmen.
If you do not already have a paper shredder, you may want to think about investing in one. You would be surprised at how often thieves look through trash to find personal information to find out when you will be away from home so they can break in. If you cannot afford a paper shredder, rip papers up into small pieces.
To increase your home’s security, buy some outdoor lights that are motion activated. This is a fairly inexpensive way to provide light and security to your property. When they are positioned correctly, they make it pretty much impossible for intruders to get to your house unnoticed.
A dog is a great home security alarm. Dogs protect their territory diligently, and tend to make noise if something goes awry. There is no need for a mean, big dog either. Even small dogs can keep intruders away since they don’t want lots of noise when committing crimes.
Determine how much experience a home security company has before you decide to do business with them. A reliable home security company is one that has a long history in the community and can offer references from satisfied customers. You’ll find it a lot easier to put your faith in the professionals if you take the time to verify their trustworthiness.
If you want to keep certain rooms in your home private, you don’t need to lock every door with a key. There are key-less locks that open with a push-button security code. These may be installed by yourself or a security company.
Install a home surveillance system. Video cameras are a great deterrent. Visible cameras scare intruders while a hidden camera could capture footage. Nowadays, you can track your surveillance on your own cell phone.
Ask whether companies offer options to lease or buy your security equipment. Buying equipment can be pricey upfront, but it’s a single cost versus a monthly cost. You’ll pay higher monthly fees if you lease the equipment, and that will add up over time. Explore both options to see which works best for you.
Can you locate your house number if you are standing on the street? If your numbers cannot be plainly seen, then the police will struggle to locate your home very quickly in case of emergency. This is easy and inexpensive to fix if you believe there could be a problem.
Think about getting a hard-wired home security system if maintenance costs are an issue for you. A wireless system is a good option but you will have to replace batteries regularly. If you don’t replace the batteries, you’ll find that your system stops working correctly. Batteries can be very expensive to change.
Do not use spring latch locks. They are simple to open if you have a credit card. Wedging the card into the door crack can cause the lock to release. If this is the kind of lock on your doors, strongly consider adding a deadbolt for safety.
If you have windows into your living room that open to the street, always draw your curtains in the evening. You wouldn’t want strangers leering into your home. Someone who can peer into your home may decide that your valuables are ripe for the taking. Walk around your house to find out what can be seen and then block it.
If you’ve got a type of numeric keypad on the front door, don’t use your birthday as the password. Your birthday can be found on mail or social media sites, so this means anyone can access your home. Choose a math equation and make the answer your code, and make sure to keep the equation in mind.
It will be well worth your time to learn about ways to make your home safer. Unfortunately, separating the good information from the chaff can be quite a job. Keep these tips handy, so you can refer back to them as you proceed to make your home more secure.
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. There’s no reason to extend strangers an open invitation to inspect your rooms. Someone who can peer into your home may decide that your valuables are ripe for the taking. Be discreet about what the public can see and you can reduce your chances of getting burglarized.
Blue widgets is a complex topic, which is why you should take the time to research it some more. Fortunately for you, this article has given you the information that you need to get started doing just that. Use the information you’ve learned, and get busy.
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