A homeowner is responsible for keeping their house secure. You might think that getting an alarm is enough; however, there are many other strategies as well. Read on to find out all you can.
Providing a key to the person cleaning your home can be acceptable, but you must be sure they are honest and worthy of your confidence. If you plan to give them a key so they can clean in your home while you are away, ensure they are reputable and honest. Check their references very carefully. If you are using a cleaning firm, make sure it has an excellent Better Business Bureau rating.
Provide the house key to your professional house cleaner, but only if you fully trust them. Make sure you know they are legitimate before giving out the key. Check their references fully. If the cleaner is from a firm, try calling the local BBB to find out about the firm’s reputation.
Do you allow your dog to stay in your yard while you are away? This is a good spot for keeping your spare key. Attach your spare key inside the collar of your dog. This is an especially good idea if your dog doesn’t like strangers, and gives you easy access to get in your home.
Spare Key
When looking to buy a security system, shop around. Different companies can provide equivalent levels of service and security, but their prices can vary wildly. Try to get two or three quotes before making a decision.
Does your dog remain outside while you’re gone? He or she is actually a great place to store your spare key. Attach the key inside their collar and make sure it can’t be seen. If your pet does not get along with strangers, this will ensure your spare key stays safe.
Don’t let people into your home unless you know them. Even if this stranger has a believable story or is trying to sell you something, do not let them in. Some criminals will use any reason to gain access to look for security systems and easy entryways into your house.
Get a safe to protect your valuable items. A safe is the best way to protect your diamonds, gold and important documents. Hide your safe in a hard to find place like the basement or attic.
When summer comes around, eliminate all vegetation and dead wood from your yard. They pose a fire risk. Clear yard regularly to maintain your house safe.
Carefully consider where you hide your outside spare key. Under the doormat or above the door frame are all too common spaces that will be checked first by potential intruders. Try hiding your key on a lawn statue or in a potted plant.
Be bold. It is important to communicate with others who also live in your area. Watch their homes and ask them if they’ll watch yours as well. Don’t ignore the gossip. While this is unorthodox, it may clue you into a possible home security threat.
Get to know your neighbors. Talk to the people who live in your neighborhood. By knowing the people in your neighborhood, you can rest a little easier knowing that people are looking out for each other. Listen for gossip too. It is often a good way to find out about security issues, such as strangers in the neighborhood.
You need to change our locks as your first step to ensuring your safety. Not everyone who leaves your house will leave happy, and a fresh set of locks will protect you from both former residents and acquaintances of your own looking to cause mischief. It does not cost much, and can be handled very quickly.
Before doing anything else, install new locks in your home. Has a roommate or ex-lover moved out recently? If so, then you need to change out the locks in order to keep you and your home safe. It is pretty cheap and the job won’t take more than a few hours.
When dealing with companies that install home security systems, it’s important to trust your gut. If you are hesitant about the company, your gut feeling is especially important. If you don’t feel comfortable, go with someone else. You want your new system to protect you, not be the way the thief gets into your home.
A wall is a great hiding place. If you need to protect expensive items in your home, put them inside the walls. Simply take advantage of an unused switch plate, electrical outlet, or phone jack. Anything not used currently makes a good spot for hiding.
Skylights could be a problem for the safety of your home. While they are an excellent source of natural light, they are also an easy way for thieves to enter your home. Having heavy duty, reliable hardware is best when it comes to skylights.
Don’t put your extra key under you doormat, in a planter, or in a cleverly disguised false rock. A key that is easily found is a convenience for a burglar, not just for you. Burglars always know just where to look. A better option is to entrust an honest neighbor with a spare key.
It is important that your valuables are not visible from anywhere outside your house. Large windows let in a lot of light, but they also allow outsiders to see inside your living space. You always want to make sure you keep your valuables covered if they are by a window.
When you purchase big, expensive items be sure to break down the boxes and take them to the recycling center yourself. Having these boxes nearby can tell robbers what kind of merchandise you’ve got in your house.
Are you aware of the fact that your home wiring is worth money? Many people are not aware of this until they are stolen from their home. The wiring contains valuable copper than can be quickly stripped from a home. Hide your wiring for optimum security.
Once you’ve moved to a new house, make it a priority to replace all locks. Even if the previous owner or tenant seems trustworthy, you have no way of knowing how many copies of the key they made and distributed. Remember that different families might have dwelt there before this person.
When you consider a security company, be certain you read the details and fine print of the contract you’re about to sign. There may be some hidden fees, or a need to buy more equipment later. These are costs you’ll want to avoid.
Make sure you have several flashlights that are charged and ready to go in the event of a power outage. If the lights go out, they will ensure everyone stays safe. Your whole family should be trained on the proper use and maintenance of flashlights.
A wireless security system for your home is a great option. A wired system should be less expensive but you might have to spend your money on getting your home rewired. A wireless system, on the other hand, requires less maintenance and is simpler to install.
Unless you’re moving into a brand-new apartment or home, changing the locks should be one of your top priorities. You do not want anyone to have a copy of the key. For maximum security, buy your own locks and install them yourself. This way you can be certain nobody else has a key.
Keep your garage shut and locked so burglars can’t peek inside. Be sure and shade your windows with window frosting, something that you can purchase at any hardware store, so as to keep people from looking in your house. Don’t leave doors open for long lengths of time when working there.
Prior to allowing access to anyone, make sure you are shown proper identification. Don’t be afraid of conducting background checks to determine if they have a criminal history. There is no way of knowing whether or not service people are honest, so you should not give them keys to your home.
If you purchase pricey, new electronics, don’t place empty boxes on the curb. This will just alert criminals to the fact that you have expensive items in your home. After removing the contents from these boxes, tear or cut them up.
If you need to make the outside of your home secure, you can achieve this relatively inexpensively by installing lights with motion detectors. This is a fairly inexpensive way to provide light and security to your property. If the lights are positioned correctly on your home, then it makes it much less likely for a burglar to enter.
You should always keep your blinds and curtains closed. If the blinds are up, then the intruders can see directly through your home. If their eyes fall on something they like, they are going to think about breaking in. At night when you’re asleep, you should close your shades.
Always keep your home’s exterior well lit. Burglars prefer the cover that night provides their criminal activities. Install lights in areas that possible criminals can use to enter your home. This includes doorways and porches, the garage, and windows on ground floors which may invite intruders.
You need to know your options with companies concerning either leasing or purchasing equipment. You’ll spend less money in the long-run if you buy the equipment outright. While leasing might be less expensive, it also comes with high monthly fees and contracts. Look at what you can afford, as well as what is offered and make an informed choice.
Before looking at home security systems, consider your personal security risks and safety needs. Though such systems can be terrific for many, not everyone really needs one. Some individuals are more comfortable with a canine alarm, while other people enjoy the feeling of security that a sophisticated alarm system can bring. Know the risks so that you can make a better decision.
If you use a door lock with a numeric keypad, do not use your birthday as the pass code. Anyone can easily get your birthday from a Facebook profile or your driver’s licence. Use a number you can remember through some trick of memory known only to you, making it difficult for someone else to figure it out.
If you come to your home and discover that your door has been left open, avoid investigating by yourself. You have no way of knowing whether the thieves are still inside. Your best bet is to contact the authorities and wait outside for them to get there.
If you have valuable items that cannot be replaced, you must keep them under lock and key. Irreplaceable valuables, including financial records, family photos, legal documents, passports, etc., should be secured at all times. A fireproof floor safe is ideal for this. If you want to be very secure, you can put it in safety deposit boxes at your bank.
Think about a wireless security system for your home. While systems with wires are cheaper, you have to rewire your home and worry about power outages. On the other hand, wireless systems use their own power and have easier installations.
If you have windows that are open to the street, be sure and cover them at night. There’s no reason to extend strangers an open invitation to inspect your rooms. A glimpse of tempting valuables may convince burglars that your home is worth a visit in the near future. Keep your valuables out of sight and you’ll make yourself less of a target for crime.
There is no need to have keyed locks on interior doors. You may have locks without keys that need a code. You can either install these locks by yourself, or have them professionally installed if you are not that handy yourself.
It’s good to have interior locks, but they really aren’t effective without exterior locks. The best lock that you can choose are deadbolt locks, and the ones that have keys on both sides so that it cannot be opened by thieves are the ultimate choice.
Having read this article, you now know what it takes to create a safe and secure home. As inconvenient and confusing as this appears, it’s crucial for securing your home and family. Apply what you’ve just learned, and you should be golden.
You want to minimize the amount of your home’s interior that’s easily visible from outside. If you’re able to see a computer or TV in a house, a thief may see it as well. Be sure to put up good blinds and/or drapes to obstruct the view from outside. If you cannot do this, have valuables in a room that is not visible.
If you know all you can, you will win in the end. Be sure to review this article from time to time for complete comprehension. If you want to be the best, you have to be the most knowledgeable person in your field.
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