All homeowners ought to have a plan to make sure their home is safe; however, many simply do not. Advice can go a long way when it comes to better understanding home security. Keep reading to gain the insight necessary to establish a winning security plan for your home.
Do you keep your dog outside if you leave the home? This is a good spot for keeping your spare key. The key can be attached to the collar of your dog. This will ensure that burglars cannot see it. If your dog does not like strangers, this can help ensure consistent access to the house.
Spare Key
Don’t let strangers enter your house. Even if the person has a compelling story, needs help or has something to sell, they should not be given access. There are people that just want to go into your home to see if you’ve got a type of home security system, and if they see that you don’t, they’ll return when you’re not home.
Your dog could carry a spare key for you. However, this method is only effective if your dog is large, scary, and stays outdoors. Keep a spare key around the dog’s collar.
When it comes to securing your home, start by changing 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. This doesn’t usually cost much, and it can be accomplished in less than a day.
Do you keep your dog outside when you aren’t home? Using Fido to hide your spare key can be a clever trick. Put it on their collar. If your pet does not get along with strangers, this will ensure your spare key stays safe.
Skylights need to be secure, too. Although a skylight can bring light into one’s home and look good, it’s also a common entrance way for burglars. Keep them secure with heavy duty hardware that closes them off to potential thieves.
Don’t open your door when strangers are knocking. People often think of ways to trick others into letting them in so they can steal from them. Enforce a rule within your house that no one opens the door to unexpected people.
Walls can be a great hiding spot. If you have valuables that are small in size, you may want to hide them within your walls. Any phone jack or electrical outlet that isn’t being used is a great place to hide valuables. If you do not have any unused plates, it is easy to install a false one.
Try not to have a shy attitude. Meet your neighbors. Keep an eye on their houses and yards and request that they return the favor. You never want to ignore gossip. You can learn of important security information, including if strangers have been lurking.
Don’t hide an extra key under a rock or in a planter. Though you may think you are giving yourself a way into your home if you lose your key, you are actually inadvertently inviting intruders into your home. Burglars are well aware of such hiding places. A better option is to entrust an honest neighbor with a spare key.
Always change the locks if you have someone move out of your home. If you have boarders, former live-in partners, or others who once had access to your home, this is especially important. It is generally cheap and may be done in a little under a day.
If your home security system is installed, be sure its wires are well-hidden. Exposed wires make it easy for an intruder to cut them and disable the alarm. Don’t let this happen; bury or hide the wires. That will make you safer.
Compared to city dwellers, you might feel more safe in your rural home. There are differences between large cities and homes located in the countryside. Others think that rural places have less of a chance of being targets for burglars.
If you have purchased any large and/or expensive items, do not throw the boxes away until the day before the trash man is scheduled to come. Empty boxes might draw the attention of robbers and let everyone know you own new and expensive goods.
If someone from the security company comes to your home, ask to see their ID before allowing them in. Thieves can pass themselves as workers, which can end up in a robbery of your home. This is dangerous to your valuables and your family. Be very careful with who you let into your home.
Plug a rechargeable flashlight into an outlet in each room of your house in the event of power outage. The flashlights are important because they make you able to get around the house in an emergency. Train your kids how to use flashlights so that all members of the family can contribute.
Check someone’s references carefully before letting them come into your home. You need to do background checks in order to find out about their criminal history. You might not know that the maid or contractor entering your home is a crook, and this could be a very bad mistake.
Having your home lit up and bright at night is a great deterrent to crooks. Thieves don’t want to be visible. If your home is well lit, thieves won’t have any place to hide, so they may not want to steal anything from you. So keep those lights on at night for a secure home.
You should think about your own safety when comparing different home security options. Generic systems aren’t for everyone. In some cases the security system is your best investment, in others you well-served with an alert dog or reinforced locking systems. Understanding your neighborhood, risks and budget constraints can help you to make the best choices.
Keep your home’s exterior well lit. Criminals like to blend into the shadows, so do your best not to provide too many for them. Install lights in areas that possible criminals can use to enter your home. Some examples include first story windows, garages, doorways and porches.
If you arrive home and you see that your door is ajar, never enter to investigate on your own. This is very dangerous due to the fact that the thief can still be inside your property. Get on the phone to the authorities immediately.
It is a good idea to invest in video surveillance for your home security system. Both hidden and visible security cameras are effective in protecting 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.
Consider buying a paper shredder for your home. 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. Rip your important papers up before throwing them away if you can’t get a shredder.
Keep curtains closed when you aren’t at home. Leaving your windows unguarded exposes the interior of your home to everyone, including criminals looking for tempting targets. If they notice something valuable, they’re more likely to invade your home. You ought to turn the curtains down if you are sleeping as well.
Could burglars see inside your garage? Make sure that they can’t! Cover your windows with frosting; this could be purchased at hardware stores. They prevent people from peeking inside. Do not keep your door open long enough for people to get an idea of what you own.
See if your security company only sells equipment, or if they will lease it to you instead. Purchasing equipment outright will cost more initially, but may offer savings over the long term. Sometimes it’s more affordable to begin with a lease, even though a continued lease may be costly in terms of ongoing higher monthly fees. You need to think about each option to think about what is right for your home.
Whenever you purchase some expensive item, don’t place the empty boxes right outside your home. A burglar may see the box and decide to target you as a result. Remember to cut up the boxes when they’re emptied.
Make sure your valuables, or things that can’t be replaced, are safe. It is best to keep items such as passports, legal documents, photos and financial records in a spot that is secure. You can keep these things in a floor safe placed in a secure area of your home. A better idea is storing them inside a type of safe deposit box that’s outside your home.
If you live alone or with other responsible adults, there is no need to lock off areas of your home to prevent access. You can instead get key-less locks that work using a code. Many home security companies will install these, and there are also do it yourself kits available.
Find out if you can get motion sensitive lighting from your security company. A lot of companies provide this, and it makes the exterior lights in your home turn on immediately when someone approaches any entry way. Motion sensitive lighting can scare off an intruder and allow you to safely enter your home.
Store those items you can’t bear to lose in a very secure area. This includes important documents, jewelry and keepsakes. Floor safes make for great places to hide such items. If you want to be very secure, you can put it in safety deposit boxes at your bank.
You should lock all your windows, even on the second floor. Most people don’t think about someone entering the home from the second floor. Do not underestimate intruders. Experienced criminals know exactly where the majority of homeowners let their guards down, and they won’t fail to check for weaknesses like an open window on the second story.
Purchase motion sensor lighting for the next generation in home security. Lots of companies have this, which triggers your exterior lights whenever something or someone moves near a doorway. Motion sensitive lighting can scare off an intruder and allow you to safely enter your home.
Deadbolts that have captive keylocks are the most secure locks to get. They have a thumb latch, making it impossible for someone to break the window, reach in and turn them. Leave a key inside the lock in case there’s an emergency.
Look for captive keylocks when picking out a new deadbolt. Deadbolts have thumb latches that prevent people from reaching around them to open it. Leave a key inside the lock in case there’s an emergency.
Women stand a much better chance of being the victims of home invasions, particularly if they live alone or with kids. Place something masculine in the front of your home to give off a tough impression. This will definitely deter criminals from entering your home.
You don’t want to have toys lying around in your yard if your children aren’t using them. Thieves will think women reside at your home. Since women have more jewelry than men, they are targeted more.
Outdoor wiring is attractive to thieves. Your wiring contains copper, which is worth a considerable amount of money. Hide your wiring to deter burglars from stripping your wires.
Try to screen the interior of your home from being seen from the exterior. If you’re able to see your computer or television, burglars can as well. Find some blinds or drapes you can use to protect your privacy. Keep your most valuable items away from windows.
Do not allow rooms in your home to be visible while looking from outside. If your valuables are visible from the street, it poses a danger. Consider putting up drapes or curtains to keep people from seeing what is inside. If you can’t cover every window, keep your valuables in rooms that are blocked from view.
Video surveillance systems do a great job deterring invaders. When you see a burglar with a mask in the movie, you are watching fiction. Lots of home burglars won’t cover their faces since they don’t wish to run into people. If a surveillance system is clearly visible, they probably will leave.
Did you know that even your garbage can affect your home security? If you have newly purchased electronics, a burglar will take not of the boxes you’ve thrown away. Always break down boxes and place them in a dark bag so people passing by your home on trash day can not see.
It is crucial that home security is taken seriously, however it is a topic that many people are not familiar with. If you are worried about the security of your home and loved ones, you must be concerned about this topic. With any luck, this article can be used as a springboard to learn more.
Consider installing infrared detection lights. This lighting is motion activated, so it will alert you if someone nears your home. This will surely make a burglar run for it. A burglar will instantly turn away if lights come on.
Blue widgets is a complex topic, which is why you should take the time to research it some more. Thankfully, this article contains excellent tips to help you move ahead. Now implement the advice you’ve just read.
About Author
