It is up to you as a homeowner to do everything possible to keep your home safe. While you may think the only thing you have to do is get an alarm system put into your home, you have many other choices. Continue to read to learn what other ways to help keep your home’s security.
Make your house look like it’s always occupied. Buy timers so that lights, radios, TVs and all other electronics turn on and off at various times. This gives off the appearance that someone is home. This will keep people from breaking in.
Always change the locks changed when you buy a new home. You never know how many copies of the keys the previous owners made and handed out previously. Do the same thing if you misplace a key.
It is crucial that you change the locks as soon as you move into a new residence. You have no clue how many people were given keys by the former owner. 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.
Check out their references very carefully. If the cleaner is from a firm, you can check up on the company with your local Better Business Bureau.
Beware giving keys to your maid unless the service has your absolute trust. If they will be there over an hour and you are thinking of giving them your home key, be certain they are honest, reputable and hard-working. Make sure you check references. If you hire a cleaner who works for a company, speak with your local BBB about the company’s reliability.
It’s important to shop for alarm systems. Be certain to obtain multiple quotes prior to choosing one.
Use a safe to protect your valuables. This is vital, as you want to safeguard your valuable items in case of home burglary. Conceal the safe in an out-of-the-way and not easily accessible spot, such as an attic or a basement area.
Don’t talk about an upcoming vacation anywhere on social media. Although your first instinct is to share the news about an upcoming trip that excites you, posting it online makes it more possible for criminals to find out when you’re gone.
If you retain a space key for when you get locked out, consider the place you hide it carefully. Avoid cliched hiding places like over the door frame or beneath the doormat. Experienced criminals will check these places immediately. Try to find somewhere less obvious.
Local Police Department
Social networking sites are great for keeping in touch, but post information sparingly. For example, you might avoid broadcasting when you are going out of town, especially if your friends list contains casual acquaintances. If you do, burglars will know you’re not home and strike.
See what the local police department offers any home inspection or other protection programs. Many have quite a few helpful programs that you take, home security training and more. Call the local police department and see what programs they offer.
Before selecting a security firm, ask for recommendations. They may have had experiences with certain companies and can lead you in the right direction. Taking a little time to listen can make you a much better decision maker when it comes to home security.
Keeping the car inside will deter thieves from stealing or harming it. This can also make it more difficult for burglars to track when you away from home.
Turn the ringers off on all your phones if you will be away for a prolonged period of time. A constantly ringing phone can signal to a burglar that the house is vacant, making it an easy target for their criminal activities.
It is important that you check your home security system periodically, you should have an annual test. Ask a home security systems to take a look. You might not even discover these problems if you can’t see it.
Don’t allow a complete stranger to come in your home. People try many ways to convince others to open up their doors so that they can commit burglary or worse. Therefore, only allow people you know and are expecting to enter your home.
Put motion sensor lights into your house. These lights will come on when they detect motion near your home. Make sure you regularly change the light bulbs in your motion activated lights so that they continue to work properly.
The police department in your area may offer a home protection program. Many police departments offer programs that can include home inspections, home security training and more. Get in touch with the department to determine their offerings.
Having these boxes around for a while will let thieves know the type of items that are inside your house.
Stashing your most precious possession right inside the walls of your home can be a great idea. It’s not necessary to cut out parts of your wall to do this. Find a place where there is already a hole to get in through. How about unwiring your electric socket and using that as an area to stash your jewelry?
Always get references before letting anyone you are considering hiring to do work on your home. You should do background checks in order to find out their criminal history. You can’t always be sure that maids, repairman or contractor you hire is on the up and up, or repairman that you’ve hired is trustworthy and handing them your keys could be a costly mistake.
Make sure you have several flashlights that are charged and ready to go in the event of a power outage. Having these in an easy to find place will allow you to see in the dark much quicker. Make sure everyone in your family knows where the flashlights are.
Landscape around your home with safety in mind. If you have them visible, there will be no place to hide. This should be planned in advance for your home additional safety.
Think about your specific needs and risks prior to investigating security systems. Security systems are a proven method of reducing your chance of break-ins, but it is not always the right choice. Some neighborhoods would feel be safe enough if you knew basic self defense or had a large dog. Understand completely the risks and rewards in order to make an informed purchase decision.
Ask your home security company how long they have been running prior to signing up. A company that’s been around for a while has proved they can survive and provide great service is reliable. Knowing you are dealing with a fly by night company can keep you calm when making this crucial decision.
If you plan to go away and have asked someone to get the mail, see if they will also remove fliers that may have been left at the door. Thieves will drop off flyers to see if home owners are away. If the flier is not taken down, the burglar assumes the homeowner is not in town.
Consider purchasing a wireless home security system. Wired systems might be a bit less expensive, however it usually means you’ll have to rewire your home, and can become faulty during a power outage.
Consider installing a surveillance system. Both hidden and visible security cameras are effective in protecting your home. A visible video camera acts as a warning to an intruder. If the intruder disables the visible camera, the hidden camera will document it! Some security systems are accessible via mobile phone, which lets you look in on your house when away.
You need a good home security system.Installing hidden and visible video cameras are great for securing a home. Visible cameras are a deterrent to most intruders, and if they are disabled, your hidden camera can record the action. A lot of surveillance cameras could be accessed through your phone, so you can monitor your home while you are out of town.
Could burglars see inside your garage? Make sure that they can’t! Cover windows using frosting, which you can buy at large hardware stores, to keep people from peeking in your window. Also, do not leave doors open.
You may have locks which require a code. You can even install these locks yourself or have them professionally installed.
One of the best home burglary systems is man’s best friend. Man’s best friend is very territorial and makes a lot of noise during anything happening out of the ordinary. Your dog doesn’t have to be a big, burly attack dog. Little dogs can also make big noise, which is the main thing that burglars care about.
Ask about the different contract lengths offered by a security company can offer you. There are sure to be both good points and cons to each. Long contracts are cheaper every month, but it could leave you with a larger bill if you decide to end your service. Shorter contracts mean more freedom along with higher cost.
You shouldn’t keep your car registration documents inside the glove box. Anyone having access to this information can see where you live. Hide them somewhere else in the car, or carry them with you. Remember, you do need to be able to access them quickly if you get pulled over by a policeman.
You wouldn’t want to tempt outsiders to look through your home. If criminals can clearly view what’s going on in your house, then they are going to target you next. Make sure you’re discreet concerning your belongings so as to reduce the likelihood of becoming a target.
If your door has a numeric keypad lock, never make its password your birth date. People can easily access your birth date in order to gain entry to your home. Use a random number instead.
Sliding glass doors pose security issues in homes. They can be easily opened if someone lifts and then shaking them. This will make the door shut tightly and makes it difficult to force it open.
Any priceless items need to be secured. Legal and financial documentation, IDs, pricey jewelry, and important mementos like family albums should be protected as carefully as possible. Purchase a safe with a lock to store all of these items. You can also rent out a safety deposit box.
Having a dog with a scary bark is beneficial. Burglars don’t want to put themselves in the position of being bitten or attacked.
Even if you don’t like gossip, make a point to become friends with someone in your neighborhood who is always “in the know.” Busybodies may be quick to notice when someone odd is checking out your house. Becoming friendly with them makes you more aware of the people they notice.
External wiring is an attractive prize for potential thieves. The copper inside wiring and other components is a good price. Conceal the wiring of your home so intruders cannot remove it or you will have to spend a lot on repairs.
Avoid leaving toys outside when they are not in use. This will inform potential burglars that women live in the home. Homes that have women living there are targeted more since they are more likely to have valuable jewelry than men are.
Having read this article, you now know what it takes to create a safe and secure home. Although home security might appear to be a complicated issue, it is crucial that you utilize home-security strategies in order to protect your home and family. With these tips in hand, you’ll find the job will be easier.
Don’t have any visible rooms in your home. An intruder might be attracted by a TV screen or a computer. Try installing drapes or blinds so that people outside can’t see what you have inside. Allowing people to see what you have inside your home is an open invitation for trouble.
It’s time to put this information into practice. Try to get all of the fundamental knowledge in place before you apply it. You will be an expert in no time at all.
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