If you are a home owner, then you know just how important it is to keep your humble abode safe. Having your home destroyed is one of the worst feelings ever. Not only is your home a large investment, there are often precious memories tied to it. Keep reading to learn how to protect your number one asset.
Your dog could carry a spare key for you. Outdoor dogs or pet doors make this possible. Simply attach a spare key to your dog’s collar (in a secure and non-visible place, of course) so that you’ll be able to retrieve it if you need it.
Talk to people you know about their security systems. You can learn a lot from people who have already dealt with these companies. Sometimes, you may get great advice from the people you know.
After you purchase a new home, change the locks. The previous owners or tenants might have made several copies of the key. Changing the locks will give you peace of mind that you and your family are the only ones who have access to your home. This is also a good idea in the event that you misplace your keys.
If you’ve got a garage, boost home security just by using it for only a car instead of storage. Having the car in the garage will prevent it from getting broken into or stolen. Hiding your car away from plain view is a good way to keep intruders from knowing when you are at home or not.
It is important to invest in building supplies that are as fire resistant as possible. This will add an extra protection layer for your house, particularly if you live near power lines or in a dry location. Preventing a fire hazard is one of the safest precautions that you can take due to the level of destruction that it can cause.
When it comes to securing your home, start by changing your locks. Perhaps you aren’t sure who owned the home before you or maybe an old roommate has a key and never returned it. Regardless, changing the locks will ensure your security. It doesn’t cost much and they can usually show up within a day.
Never open up your door to a stranger. People try many ways to convince others to open up their doors so that they can commit burglary or worse. Make it a habit to only open your home’s door to people you were expecting.
Walls make the perfect hiding spot. Jewelry and other small items can be protected very well when placed in hiding places in your walls. Just use an unwired electric plug, light switch or phone box. If you haven’t got any plates that are unused, simply install a false switch plate.
Your home security system ought to be checked each year. Ask the security company to send a technician out to give your system a thorough inspection. There are many things that can be problematic with regards to home security systems, like wayward wild animals and the environment. If you don’t see the problem, you may remain unaware of it.
When selecting an alarm set-up, think about getting one that protects not just the doors in your home. All windows can be entry spots for thieves. The alarm and monitoring system should be set for all windows and doors. Doing this will help ensure the safety of your home and loved ones.
The first step in making your home more secure is to change out 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. Most locksmiths can accomplish the job within 24 hours.
If the home you are moving into is not brand new, you should change the locks on all the doors. The previous tenants may have returned the keys, but they could have a copy. You can do your own installation to make sure that no one else has a key.
Lock up your house every time you leave. It might shock you to learn that most break-ins occur due to unlocked doors. Thieves can make off with large amounts of valuable merchandise very quickly.
See how long the home security company has been around before you make any decisions. Many years of service bode well for the company’s performance. Whenever you know you aren’t doing business with a fly-by-night company, you will be more assured your home is protected.
Make sure your flashlights have charged batteries and are found throughout your home. Having a well-charged flashlight on hand is very beneficial in case of emergency. Show your children how to use them so everyone in the family is involved.
Consider your personal needs for safety and your security risks prior to looking for security systems. A home security system is a good idea; however, it is not the perfect solution for every home. Some individuals are more comfortable with a canine alarm, while other people enjoy the feeling of security that a sophisticated alarm system can bring. Be sure to assess the risk level you face before making big decisions.
If you are moving into a new home, change the locks right away. The previous tenants may have returned the keys, but they could have a copy. You can even buy and install the locks yourself so you know that you are the only one with a key.
You may want to get a security system that is wireless. Systems that are wired can be a little cheaper, but may need significant reworking of your home’s electrical wiring and can fail in a power outage. Wireless systems are much more simple to install and upkeep, and the power inside your home will not affect them.
To increase your home’s security, buy some outdoor lights that are motion activated. Motion detection lights will turn on as soon as something or someone enters your yard. When they are positioned correctly, they make it pretty much impossible for intruders to get to your house unnoticed.
Put a surveillance system in your home. Video cameras are a great deterrent. While a visible camera is a deterrent, a burglar might try to disable the camera, but a separate hidden camera can solve this problem. You can often view these feeds over the Internet, too.
Always go over the small print on contracts offered by your home security company. There could be fees for terminating the contract early or acquiring additional equipment down the road. These are costs you’ll want to avoid.
Stand out in your street, and look toward your home. Are you able to see the numbers of your home? During an emergency crisis, smaller numbers prevent emergency personnel from finding your home quickly. Fortunately, this is something that can be corrected quickly and cheaply.
Consider home security and safety when you are planning your landscaping. Doors and windows should not be obstructed by trees, plants or shrubs. These types of places provide the perfect cover for prowlers. Plan features like these further from your home to have a safe, beautiful design.
Do not use spring latch locks. This type of lock is extremely easy to break. Anyone with a credit card can do it. An intruder has only to press the card into the doorjamb between latch and the door and the lock will pop open. Add a deadbolt to doors with spring-latch locks.
Ask your home security company how long they have been in business before you sign up for service. It doesn’t take long for a quality company to prove itself in the security business, and you should look for a track record of satisfied customers and successful work. Whenever you know you aren’t doing business with a fly-by-night company, you will be more assured your home is protected.
Don’t hide your key somewhere obvious. It is easy to spot a rock that is fake. The first place a person will look is a doormat. Instead, you should keep your spare keys with a trusted neighbor. This will reduce the chances of a burglary.
Maintain the exterior areas in your house so they are well lit. Burglars tend to commit crimes at night. Add lights to any areas you believe are potential entry points for burglars. Over doors, near windows and especially your back yard need to be lit.
If you’ve got a type of numeric keypad on the front door, don’t use your birthday as the password. Your date of birth can be obtained through Facebook or your mail. Use a random number instead.
If there are parts of your home you want no one else to enter, there is no need to lock doors or have a set of keys on you at all times. Keyless locks require a code to unlock the door. Install them yourself or get a local home security company to do that.
If the living room window in your home is facing the street, you must keep the curtains closed. You shouldn’t be inviting people to look at your stuff through the window. If possible burglars get a look at what you own, they might target you next. Reduce the risk of being burglarized by being careful about what people can see.
Inquire as to the different lengths of contracts offered by your security company. Each has its advantages and disadvantages. A long term contract should have a lower monthly rate but it also requires you to commit for a long period of time. If you want more freedom, it is best to purchase a more expensive but shorter contract.
Motion Sensitive Lighting
If you often turn your lights off/on around the same time, consider using a timer. This makes it easier for you as you won’t have to flip the switch, but it also ensures the lights continue to go on and off, even if you’re not at home for a long period of time.
Ask the security company whether or not that have motion sensitive lighting. This is often an option from a good company. Motion sensitive lighting turns on when a person approaches your home in the dark. This is a great way to protect the outside of your home.
If the door isn’t solid wood or metal, then replace it with a door that is. Durability is key. A burglar trying to kick in such a door is going to be in for some pain. The cost of replacing your doors is worth it in the end.
As this article has demonstrated, keeping your home safe does not have to be difficult. You simply need to understand how home security works. Use the tips you just read to improve your home security. Every single one of the tips you just read will improve your chances of keeping your home safe.
Deadbolts are the best locks for your doors because they contain captive keylocks. These devices include a thumb latch so that no one can reach around and open the lock through a broken window nearby. After arriving home, you should put your key inside the lock and keep it there. That will allow you to get out quickly if there is a fire.
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. Just use what you’ve read here and you’ll be on your way to meeting your goals.
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