Every homeowner ought to know how to keep their homes safe. Sadly, home burglaries are very common, in addition to the extensive risks posed by floods or fires. This article will show you how to keep yourself safe.
When in the process of purchasing a home-security system, be sure to comparison shop. Prices vary significantly, even for similar levels of protection. Before choosing which company to go with, ask for quotes from a minimum of three companies.
Your dog makes a great hiding spot for a spare key. This can be done if you’ve got an outdoor dog can come outside. You could simply put a key onto your dog’s collar, so when you forget your keys your dog can let you in.
When you’re going away, turn off your phone ringers. If the phone continues to ring while you’re gone, this lets an intruder know that the home is empty.
Always change the locks changed when you buy a new home. You have no way of knowing how many keys to the old locks are floating around. Do the same thing if you misplace a key.
Keep your car in the garage. Keeping the car in the garage can keep thieves from vandalizing or stealing it. Keeping your car in your garage also keeps a thief from knowing whether you are at home or not.
Home security systems offer additional features along with an alarm that goes off during a break-in. The majority of systems are able to be set to put out an audible alert when someone enters the home. This is great for parents with young children can also use it as a valuable tool to know when their child has come inside.
It doesn’t matter how much money you spent, you should have an annual test. This should be performed by a technician from your security company. Mother nature can sneak in and cause many problems. Sometimes, you may need a professional to locate the problem.
Turn the ringers off on all your telephone if you are going to be away. A constantly ringing phone which rings forever is a sign to burglars that you are not home and could increase the chances of you getting robbed.
It’s a good idea to have motion sensor lights installed. These lights will come on if someone walks near your house. This will discourage would be thieves and alert you to any movement on your property. Be sure to keep these lights working, though.
Never allow a stranger inside. Even if this stranger has a believable story or is trying to sell you something, they need assistance or want to sell you something.This is the first rule of keeping your home security equipment.
Always go with your gut when it comes to choosing a security firm. If you are hesitant about the company, your gut feeling is especially important. You should not hesitate to ask if you can work with a different representative or find a different company if you are not comfortable. The system and the company should put your mind at ease.
There is a way to prevent burglars going into their home through the garage. You can use a C-clamp to stop the door from being opened by strangers.
Replace all locks in a new house. Even though the person who sold your home to you may seem honest, you simply can’t know for certain. There are other people who have lived in the home as well.
Keeping the car inside is a good way to keep criminals from stealing or vandalizing it. This can also keep people from home.
If the home you are moving into is not brand new, you should change the locks on all the doors. The person who used to live there may still have a key. You might even install new locks yourself so that you know you have the only keys.
Talk to the people who live in your neighbors.
Before allowing any security company reps to come into your home, make sure they have on a uniform and they have valid ID. Thieves may say they are from a certain company to get into your home. This can be extremely dangerous to your home and loved ones. Be careful to avoid this sort of danger.
This is particularly true when you feel uneasy with those that install your actual system. Don’t hesitate to request a different technician or get another company. The point of that system is to make yourself feel at ease.
One effective home security trick you can use is by installing outdoor motion sensor lights. Burglars seek darkness so that they can stay hidden. Be sure all vulnerable exterior areas of your home are equipped with good lighting. Don’t forget that this includes ground-level windows as well as doors, garages, and porches.
Don’t put extra keys inside plant boxes or in planters. These seem like great places for you when they try to enter your key. Thieves are aware of these spots.
If you are going to be out of town for more than a day or so, have someone check your mailbox and door for mail and fliers. Burglars sometimes tack these up and watch to see whether or not they are removed. Fliers that are left behind signal to the burglar that there is no one at home.
Hide your home security system. Intruders can disable a home by cutting the wires. This will make you safer.
Put a surveillance system in your home. Placing hidden and visible video cameras is a good way to keep your home secure. Most intruders are discouraged by visible cameras. But, if they attempt to disable the camera, you will still be able to see them if you have a hidden camera. Many surveillance systems may be easily accessed through a cell phone so that you can check on your house while you’re away.
Are you aware that your home wiring is worth something? A lot of people do not know this until a robber steals it from the house. The wiring has copper and may be stripped off the exterior of the house in a short time span. Make sure the wiring is hidden or difficult to access to keep this valuable property safe.
You do not want to use spring latch locks. These are the easiest for criminals to open with a credit card. The lock can be triggered to open by simply wedging the card in the lock. If your doors have locks that are spring latch, add a deadbolt for extra security.
If you are moving into a new home, you should change the locks right away. The person who used to live there may still have made some copies of the key. You can change the locks and install them yourself to ascertain that only you have a key.
An automatic device can control your lights, turning them on and off at the time you set. 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.
Check someone’s references before letting them come into your home.You need to do background check as well to find out their criminal history. You can’t know for sure about the integrity of people you hire, and giving access to the wrong one can prove disastrous.
Purchase motion sensor lighting for the next generation in home security. Most companies will offer this service, and it illuminates the outside of the house whenever there is any movement. This can deter potential thieves, as well as offer extra security while you enter your home.
You can add a great deal of security to your home by installing a system of motion detectors and outside lights. If placed strategically around the house, it is very hard for someone to sneak onto the property.
Always lock all your windows, even the ones on the second floor. A lot of people assume criminals won’t try these windows. Oh, but they will. Never underestimate the ability of an intruder to get into your home if they are really determined.
The outside of your house should be kept well lit. Burglars like the cover of darkness to commit their criminal activities. Be sure and have a light next to any entry point in your home are equipped with good lighting.This includes porches and doorways, doorways, your garage, and ground floor windows that criminals can use.
No matter who lived in the home before you moved in, replace the lock or rekey it. This goes for those of you who rent your homes, as well. If your landlord won’t change the locks, do it yourself.
Never enter your home if you arrive and find the door is open or something doesn’t feel right. This is dangerous because the burglar may be right inside. Your best bet is to call the authorities and wait outside for them to get there.
Search for a company that offers more than just installing a home security system. Home security companies that come to your house and make an attempt to ensure your safety are the best. They may suggest adding an extra lock or two, installing windows that are more secure and trimming bushes away from the outside of your home. You need to ensure that the firm really takes its work seriously, and you will be able to see that through such a consultation.
Install a surveillance system. Video camera installation can effectively make your home safe. Visible cameras deter many intruders, and should they decide to disable them, hidden cameras can capture the events that unfold. A lot of surveillance systems are accessible using your cell phone, giving you the chance to check it even when you’re away.
A window air conditioner needs to be secured with a bar or other device. Burglars can simply slide the units out if they aren’t properly secured. Take them out in the winter, too.
You can have key-less locks that work using a code. You can even install these locks yourself or have them professionally installed.
Some intruders will knock on your door and convince you to let them into your home, for instance by asking for help. If anyone approaches your door in need of help, offer to call on their behalf but keep the door shut. If you are ever unsure how to handle a stranger, call the cops.
Ask about different contract durations that a security company can offer you. There are of course pros and disadvantages to each. Longer contracts may offer more affordable monthly payments; however, but you you could maintain those monthly expenses if you discontinue service or sell the home. Shorter contracts may offer greater freedom at a higher costs.
You must keep your trash secure in order to keep your home secure. If a would-be thief spies a big-screen plasma TV box on the curb, they may decide to return later. Regardless of what you actually purchased, criminals are going to be interested in it and you, because you had the money to afford to make the purchase in the first place.
Keep curtains pulled tight when you aren’t at home. Intruders can look into your home if they are left up. You should also have the windows covered when you’re asleep.
Lights with infrared detection are a great outdoor security solution. These lights will turn on when someone comes near. This will most likely scare your potential robber away. This is a great way to chase thieves off of your property without having to resort to force of any kind.
Sliding glass doorways can create a security problem in lots of homes. They can be easily if you shake and shakes the door frame. This helps keep your door tightly closed and harder to force open.
Keep your valuables out of sight of your windows. If people aren’t able to see the items, they are not encouraged to break in.
Video surveillance systems do a crooks nightmare. Burglars that wear masks like in movies. Many home burglars will not wear anything to cover their faces at all since they do not want to come into contact with people.
Always plug a code of your own into the controller for your garage door. The standard code that comes with your garage door opener is standard for the same units; therefore, the code for one opener will open up other similar ones. Thieves will use the generic code if you do not change it once you purchase.
Due to the many threats that can affect your house, you need o do whatever it takes to ensure your home;s safety. This article has great ideas that will keep your home safe from almost any threat. Use the above tips to make your home more secure.
Is there a ladder near your house? Your second floor is accessible to burglars, otherwise. Anything a thief can use to reach your second floor should not be accessible to them.
About The Author
