Top Home Security Pointers To Protect You And Your Family

All homeowners should be well-versed in home security. It can be overwhelming, though, to wade through reams of information on the topic. The article that follows can provide you tips to help you create an effective home security system.

You can hide your spare key on your dog. If your dog lives outside or is able to come and go through a dog door, this is a viable idea. You can attach a copy of your key to the dog’s collar, so when you need that spare, you’ve got one handy!

TIP! Protect your spare key by using your dog. However, this method is only effective if your dog is large, scary, and stays outdoors.

Home security plans have other triggering features besides having an alarm sound. Many systems can alert you whenever anyone enters your home. This is great for parents that have small children so that they know when their child has come inside.

Above a door frame or under doormats are not smart ideas.One good place to hide your key is in the collar of a dog that does not take kindly to strangers.

Only allow maids and cleaning services to have a key to the house if they are known to be trustworthy. Before you give a cleaner full access to your home for extended periods of time, you have to be certain that they’re trustworthy and reliable. Check their references fully. If your cleaning person comes from a company, check with the BBB.

Keeping your car in your house will deter intruders from stealing or vandalizing it. This will also keep people from home.

The first thing to do for home security is to get new locks. Maybe you had a roommate move out or have a disgruntled ex-lover, so changing the locks can keep you safer. It is generally cheap and can be done in a little under a day.

Get advice from loved ones about home security systems. You can benefit from the experience of others that have gone before you by paying attention to their recommendations and warnings. By asking around, you will gain information about the pros and cons of a variety of options.

TIP! Seek recommendations from friends and family when choosing a security company or system. Your loved ones likely have dealt with this situation before.

Use the space in walls to store your walls as hiding spaces. You don’t need to cut out segments of your walls to do this. Many areas in your house are already cut that can be used for this purpose.

Make sure that your valuables can be seen from outside the home. Large windows at the home’s front can be beautiful, but keep in mind that potential intruders will be tempted if they can see your valuables.

During the summer, remove all vegetation and dead wood from your yard. As the summer heat rolls in, there is a higher chance that these can catch on fire, putting your home at risk. Keeping your plants and bushes trimmed will benefit your family’s safety as well as the appearance of your home.

Hide your home security system. Intruders can easily disable a system if they see the wires. This will make you safer.

Replace all the locks in a new house.You don’t really know the people you purchased the house from or all the folks they shared keys with, regardless of how competent they may seem.

Request information from your local law enforcement agencies about home protection packages. They may offer neighborhood watch programs, home inspections, engraving tools for marking code numbers onto items so that they will be easily identified if stolen. Call the local police department and inquire as to what programs they offer.

TIP! Check with your local law enforcement agency about home protection plans. The police can offer you some great advice, help you engrave valuables and even come check out your home.

Flashlights are key because they allow you move around in an emergency should arise. Make sure each member of your whole family knows where the flashlights are and how to operate them.

Be certain to read all of the fine print to any contracts you hire a security firm. There are sometimes fees if you break a contract early or need additional equipment. You want to avoid as many of these fees as you can, you need to know of their existence.

Make your home safer by storing your car inside the garage. Having the car in the garage will prevent it from getting broken into or stolen. Besides, intruders will have a hard time determining whether or not you are home if you keep your car inside your garage.

TIP! Keep your car in the garage. This will keep it away from thieves and vandals.

Never enter your home if you arrive and find the door is open or something doesn’t feel right. This can be quite dangerous since the thief may still be on your property. Call the authorities and let them take care of the initial walk through.

If you will be away from your home, see if they will also remove fliers that may have been left at the door. Burglars often put fliers as a means to see if anyone is home to remove them.

If you live more out in the country, you may think that you’re not at risk. Interestingly, many think those living in rural areas are actually more susceptible to break-ins since neighbors may not live close by. Still, there are those who are of the opinion that rural properties are less of a temptation to burglars.

TIP! If you reside in the country, you may be less worried about break-ins than urban dwellers are. Some people feel that rural residents lead riskier lives because they are far away from neighbors.

Consider a surveillance system. Both hidden and visible video cameras can help keep your home. Visible cameras deter the majority of intruders, but if they disable the cameras that they can see, your hidden camera can record the action. Many surveillance systems will allow you to access them through your cell phone; therefore, allowing you to check up on your home when you are away.

Keep curtains pulled tight when you aren’t at home. Intruders can see into your house if they are up. You ought to keep them down when you are sleeping.

Lock your home at all times to err on the side of caution. You may be surprised to know that many burglars simply turn the doorknob and walk right in. It doesn’t take long for a thief to steal thousands of dollars worth of stuff.

TIP! Regardless of how long you think you’ll be gone, make sure to lock your doors. Most real-world burglars aren’t master lock-breakers; they simply stroll in through a door left carelessly unlocked.

Every homeowner needs to learn about home security. But there are so much information about home security that may not suit your situation. Thus, it is wise to review the above information anytime you need advice about how to protect your home.