You probably know someone that has had his home broken into. Home invasions are on the rise, and you need to take steps to keep your home safe. This article discusses what you can do to improve its security.
If someone comes to clean your home, only give them a key if they’re trustworthy. If they need the keys and plan on being in there for more than an hour, try to ensure that they are honest, hardworking, and reputable. Read through their references very carefully, and don’t hesitate to follow up on their references to ensure they actually exist. If the cleaner has been sent by a company, call the Better Business Bureau to check on the company’s reputation.
Above doors or under a mat are not smart ideas. One idea is to hide a spare key is in the collar of your outdoor dog.
Ask your friends for any advice they have prior to purchasing a security system or service. You can benefit from people who have already dealt with these companies. Ask around to get lots of advice that you need to make a good choice.
Do you keep your dog outside if you leave the home? Using Fido to hide your spare key can be a clever trick. Put it on their collar. This is especially useful if the dog does not take kindly to strangers.
Turn the ringer off on all your telephone if you will be away for a prolonged period of time. A phone lets thieves know that you’re not home and could increase the chances of you getting robbed.
Don’t let people into your house that you know them. Even if the person has a compelling story, requires help or has a great product to sell, they should not be given access. This is the joint to see if there is home security equipment.
Make sure you have a safe to keep valuable items in one place. You would hate for your expensive jewelry, personal family belongings, etc. to be stolen in case a burglar breaks into your home. The safe should be situated in an inconspicuous area of your home.
They are a potential fire risk. Clear your yard so it looks good and is safe.
Police Department
Before selecting any home-security company, talk to your friends to see who they suggest. You can benefit from the experience of others that have gone before you by paying attention to their recommendations and warnings. Ask a few different people to help you make the best choice.
See if your area police department has any home inspection or other protection programs. Many police departments offer programs that can include home inspections, like on self-defense or other things related to your home. Contact your local police department to see if they have something similar.
Regardless of the quality of your home security system, be sure to have regular inspections and maintenance performed. Ask someone who works at the security company to come over and have a maintenance check. You may not know there’s an issue if they aren’t easily sighted.
Don’t let people into your home unless you know them. This includes a salesperson or people looking for help. There are some people who will just come in to see if you have a home security system, and if you do not, they could come back later when you are not home.
Some maintain that rural residents lead riskier lives because they are far away from neighbors.Some people think burglaries are less burglars in rural parts.
Don’t forget about the skylights when doing a security sweep for your home.Skylights have a good function, but they can make it easier for burglars to access the house. Be sure that skylights for your home are durable and reliable.
In the summertime, you should rid your yard of dead bushes and vegetation. These can pose a fire hazard due to heat and storms with lightning. Keep these cleared away regularly to maintain your home’s safety and to keep it in good shape.
Walls are a good place to hide. You should think about hiding certain small valuables inside the walls. You can use phone jacks or other device that is not being used.You can easily install a fake unused plates.
Hide your security system. Intruders can easily disable a system if they see the wires. This will make you safer.
Make sure to have your home inspection system maintained on at least an annual basis. Get someone from the security firm to inspect it. There are many things that can reduce the quality of your system. You may not even know there is a problem if it is not visible.
Having these boxes around for a while will give people an idea of what is inside your home.
Replace all locks in your newly purchased home. The previous owner may be perfectly respectable, but you don’t know everything about them.
Avoid being shy. Converse with those living in your area. Watch their homes for suspicious activity and get their word that they will do the same thing for you. Do not ignore gossip either. You may stumble across valuable security information, like if someone has noticed a stranger lurking around the neighborhood.
Having your house lit up and bright at night is a good way to scare intruders. They prefer not desire to be seen. Keep lights on in the night.
Ask your security company how long they have been in the business. A company that’s been around for a long history has proved they can survive and provide great service is reliable. Knowing that you are dealing with a fly by night company gives you extra peace of mind when making this crucial decision.
Go with your instincts when choosing a security system company. You should be very picky when it comes to letting people inspect your home. If you are unsure, contact the security company to make sure that the installer was actually sent by them. The point of having a security system is to make yourself feel at ease.
Never enter your home if you arrive and find the door is open or something doesn’t feel right. This is a delicate situation as the thief may still be inside your property. Call the authorities and let them take care of the initial walk through.
Don’t fool yourself into thinking that your home is not a target for burglars because it’s not the fanciest house in the neighborhood. Any home which is simple to get into can be a target. It is best to adopt good habits and invest in a quality home security system to keep your family safe.
If you’re in a rural place, you might not be as worried about break-ins as those that are in the city. Interestingly, many think those living in rural areas are actually more susceptible to break-ins since neighbors may not live close by. Not everyone believes this, though.