Home security is an important topic to many, but it is also one that not enough people understand sufficiently. There are a lot of different purchases that you can make to keep your home secure. Keep reading to learn some valuable pointers on securing your home.
Why not give your trusted dog the job of holding onto your spare key? This only makes sense if your dog is outdoors a lot or you have a pet door. Hide a key inside the collar of your dog in case you need a spare.
Setting off an alarm during a burglary is just one of the valuable functions a good security system can perform. Most systems can be set to sound an alert when anyone enters the home. Parents of children can track their kids this way.
When you buy a new home, be sure to have the locks changed. You have no way of knowing how many folks might have keys to your house. Find a good locksmith who can replace the lock and make a few copies of your key. Also, if you ever lose your keys, do the same.
Make sure you have a safe to keep valuable items in one place. You can’t have your valuable personal items and jewelry out in the open for anyone to see. Keep your safe in your basement or attic to make it hard to find.
Seek recommendations from friends and family when choosing a security company or system. They probably have both positive and negative things to tell you, and those comments will help you make your own decision. Do your research; it will help you make a good decision in the end.
Do not invite strangers into your home. Even people who claim to need help may be out to harm you. Some people may simply be trying to determine whether or not you have a home security installed; if you don’t, they may plan to return later if you are away from your home.
You should regularly check your home security system, regardless of how reliable you believe it is. Your security company should send a representative to check your system. Your security system’s quality can be impacted by numerous factors, such as the weather and wild animals. Sometimes, you may need a professional to locate the problem.
If you do not know the person at your door, don’t open it. Folks are always thinking up new schemes to get people to open the door so that they can commit their crimes. Make sure everyone in your house knows not to open the door unless they know the person standing outside.
Motion sensor lights are a great investment. The motion sensors turn on the lights whenever anyone approaches your home. Not only will they notify you of movement, they will also deter potential burglars, as thieves want to remain as inconspicuous as possible. Make sure you keep fresh light bulbs in your motion activated lights so that they will work correctly.
The first step in making your home more secure is to change out your locks. Whether you have a roommate who is about to move out, or a relationship that has run its course, it is a good idea change your locks. It does not cost much, and can be handled very quickly.
Do not hide your spare key under your doormat or in a nearby planter. While you may need to prepare if you have a spare key, it is wise to choose ways that do not increase the risk of a criminal gaining entrance to your home. For obvious reasons, experienced burglars know every possible hiding spot. Ask a friend, neighbor or relative to keep your extra keys for you.
If you have skylights, do not neglect them when making sure your home is secure. Skylights have a good function, but unfortunately they also often provide a way for a burglar to enter. Your skylights need durable and reliable hardware for true protection.
Always lock your home, regardless of how short your trip out is. It may be shocking, but many home invasions and burglaries occur by intruders walking through the front door that was left open. A thief can steal lots of stuff in a little amount of time.
Use the spaces in your home’s walls to store valuables. You don’t have to cut pieces out of the walls. Most homes are pre-equipped with these handy spaces. For example, place jewelry in an unused electrical outlet.
Keep the wires of your home security system hidden. Exposed wires make it easy for an intruder to cut them and disable the alarm. Do not make entry into your home easy. Make sure the wires are not exposed either inside or outside your home. This will add security.
Spare Key
If you are moving in your new home, ensure all the old locks are replaced. As nice as the previous person may seem, you don’t really know them. Remember that other families may have lived there before that person as well.
Do not hide your spare key under your doormat or in a nearby planter. Keeping a spare key is convenient but intruders will have access to your home if your key is too easy to find. Thieves are aware of these hiding spots. A better solution is to give your key to a neighbor you trust.
It is important to always have fresh batteries and flashlights handy around the house. They will help you get around in case your entire home is dark. Train kids how to use the flashlights so that everyone may contribute.
If you’ve recently moved into a house, get any locks changed out. While the person that previously had the home may seem okay, you don’t know who they actually are. If the previous owners have never changed the locks, there could be people out there who owned the house before them and still have keys to your house.
Having a bright and lit-up home at night deters crooks. They don’t wish to be seen. With a well lit home there is no place for burglars to conceal themselves. That’s why it’s a good idea to light your home well for optimum safety.
Motion-sensitive exterior lighting is a must. These lights provide extra light for your home and are very cost efficient. They also help to keep intruders away, because an intruder does not want to come close to your property if they know they might be spotted.
Checking out security firms online is a great idea. Read through official websites for different companies and look for reviews written by customers. Then you can schedule an appointment for a home visit to discuss which package is best for you and what it will cost.
Having a bright and lit-up home at night deters crooks. Burglars don’t want to be visible. If you have your home lit up, then you have made it hard for burglars to hide and rob your home. If you want to stay secure, keep your house brightly lit.
If you arrive home and you see that your door is ajar, never enter to investigate on your own. Your home and the area surrounding it may still be in danger. Instead, call 911 and report a possible break-in.
Landscape around your home with an eye to safety. Make sure that there is nothing obstructing your doors and windows. If you have them visible, people can’t hide in those areas while they try to break in. Put these features at a greater distance from your house; let beauty also complement safety.
From the road, are your house numbers visible? If there is need for cops to come to your home, it will be hard for them to find it if the numbers are not readable or are tiny. If you notice a problem, you should be able to fix it fairly cheaply, though.
You should think about your own safety when comparing different home security options. While these systems are great and can help protect your family, they are not necessary for everyone. Some neighborhoods may do better with self-defense classes or having a dog, while others may require the best home security technology you can get. Be aware of your risks to make an intelligent purchasing decisions.
Keeping a dog provides a great way to boost your home’s defense. Dogs naturally protect their homes and they make lots of noise when things go wrong. That is not to say that a big, scary dog is required. Any size dog will drive criminals away, as the barking will be too much noise for them to be stealthy.
If you are planning to be away, and you have someone picking up your mail, ask them to also double-check your door for fliers. Some burglars place fliers to see if they’ll be quickly removed. If their fliers are not moved, the crook knows the home is unattended.
Keeping people out of various areas of your home does not have to involve using multiple locks and keys. Install key-less locks instead. These locks use codes instead of keys. You can have keyless locks installed by a security company or you can do it yourself.
Install a surveillance system in your home. Installing video cameras, both visible and hidden, are a great way to secure your home. If a burglar can see them, they are likely to go away. 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.
Ask your security company about the lengths of contract they offer. These lengths can be both good and bad. Your bill may be lower with a long-term contract, but you could wind up paying for a service you’re not using if you decide to move. If you want more freedom, it is best to purchase a more expensive but shorter contract.
It goes without saying that home security is a very important topic for everyone. You might not know how to provide your home with the proper protection. Hopefully, this article has given you some useful hints about securing your home.
If you aren’t at the house, keep the windows and curtains closed. You don’t want potential thieves knowing you are gone. If you keep them up, intruders will be able to see right into your home. It could be enticing to break in if they notice something that’s nice. Always close your curtains and blinds while sleeping.
Blue widgets is a complex topic, which is why you should take the time to research it some more. Luckily, you have found an article that has good information to get you started. Apply the data that you take in from this article to real life.
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