If you have valuable possessions in your house, including original art, jewelry or large sums of money, don’t assume that you’re the only one that knows about it. You must protect your home and your family by investing in a quality home security system. Read these tips for ideas on how to make your home more safe and secure.
You should talk to your friends and family about advice concerning certain home security companies. They probably have both positive and negative things to tell you, and those comments will help you make your own decision. Ask a number of people to get a several different opinions.
Above a door frame or under a mat are much too common to hide them and potential criminals will check them first. One good place to hide a spare key inside the collar of a dog that does not take kindly to strangers.
This can help your home under all circumstances.
Don’t make a habit of giving strangers access to your home. Even if their story is compelling, they need assistance or want to sell you something. Some folks will enter to scout for security systems, and upon seeing you lack one, will resolve to return at a later time.
Don’t post information about your vacations on social media. Although it’s fun to talk about, it may inadvertently give burglars a heads up to target your property.
Ask friend for advice they have prior to purchasing a home security system or service. You can benefit from the experience of others that have already dealt with these companies. Ask around so you’ll have as much advice as you need in order to make a good choice.
Try installing motion-sensor lights. These are lights that turn on whenever any living thing gets too close to your home. You will be alerted when there is activity outside, and any potential burglars will be deterred because they do not want to be seen. Be sure to keep these lights working, though.
It is important that you check your home security system periodically, you should have an annual test. Ask someone who works at the security company to do a look. You might not even discover these problems if you can’t see it.
Talk to your neighborhood.
Before you let anyone into your house, thoroughly check their references. You should do a background check as well to find out their criminal history. You never know if the maid, repairman or contractor you hire is on the up and up, and letting them in or giving them a key could be a fatal mistake.
The fist thing you’ll need to do is get new locks. Maybe you’ve had a roommate leave or a bitter ex-lover, changing the locks is the best way to keep yourself safe. It is usually inexpensive and you can be done in less than a day.
Some people feel that rural dwellers have greater risk since their neighbors live farther away. Some people think burglaries are less prevalent in rural areas.
Be sure your home is well lit on the outside. Criminals love darkness to help mask their crimes. Put a light anywhere where an intruder can enter your home. This extends to doorways, porches, garages and lower windows.
Walls are a good place to hide. You can hide small valuables within your walls.You can use the opening provided by an electrical switch plate or electric outlets as hiding spots. You can also install fake one.
When you choose an alarm system, it’s a good idea to get one that provides protection for both doors and windows. All of your windows can be entry spots for thieves. You want a security system that monitors all your windows and entry points. This can keep your family safe.
Is your street number on your house visible from the street? If an emergency occurs, the police will not be able to find your home as quickly if these numbers are too small or are obscured in some way. Fortunately, it doesn’t require much to fix this problem.
Having these boxes around for a while will let thieves know the type of what is inside your home.
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.
Do not keep the registration papers for your car inside the car’s glove compartment. If someone finds them, they’ll know your address. Hold these documents in person so you know where they are at all times. They’ll always need to be close by in the event you get pulled over.
Ask your security company how long they have been in the business. A company with a while has proven that their service is reliable. Knowing you are dealing with a fly by night company can keep you calm when making this important decision.
The best way to keep a thief from going into the garage is to ensure no one can see inside. Don’t leave your door unlocked or standing open when you are working in the garage or yard.
If your current door is anything other than solid wood or metal, swap it out for one that actually is. Doors such as these stand their ground. The heavier sturdy doors make it much harder for an intruder to gain access to your home. It shouldn’t be too costly to replace your exterior doors, so go do it.
You can instead get key-less locks without keys that work using a code. You can even install these locks yourself or have them professionally installed.
Ask whether companies offer options to lease and sale. Buying the equipment might cost more up front, however it can actually save you money over time. Leasing usually proves cheaper at first, it does mean higher monthly bills and a contract. Look at both of these to see what works for your personal circumstances.
A home alarm investment is well worth the money, provided someone contacts 911 when it is set off. Purchase one that is centrally monitored and the police will come when it is activated. You really cannot depend on your neighbor to contact the police.
Always plan for the worst instead of thinking your home will never be the target of a criminal. This is why it is important to always be proactive when it comes to your home security. Read through this article as often as necessary so that you are well versed in the basics of home security.