Keeping your home safe needs to be something that you take seriously, and you should not let it fall to the wayside. Sadly, who knows where to start? Read this article to learn some very helpful strategies to help you get started.
Use your dog as the protector of your spare key. Of course, your dog has to be an outdoor dog (or you at least need to have a doggy door) for this to work. You could simply put a key onto your dog’s collar, so it is always handy.
Invest in a safe in order to secure very valuable items. If an intruder breaks into your home, at least these valuables will be secure. Keep the safe hidden in a hard-to-find location like an attic or a basement closet.
Turn off your phone’s ringer when you go on vacation. Intruders might be attracted by a phone that rings constantly without anyone picking up.
You should mute your land line phone if you are going on a vacation. A constantly ringing phone can signal to a burglar that the house is vacant, making it an easy target for their criminal activities.
Don’t open your door when strangers are knocking. There are many different tactics that crooks use to enter homes, and a common way is simply to walk up to the door and ask for help. Keep a hard, fast rule that says you only open the door for invited guests in order to keep your family safe.
Garage Door
Check with your local law enforcement agency about home protection plans. There are plenty of things that can be done, from a safety walk to cataloging expensive items to help protect your investment and your family. If your police department does not offer these programs, find a private security company.
If your garage is attached to your home, always keep it secure. Intruders can enter your home through an unlocked garage door. A C-clamp can prevent a garage door from even opening if the clamp is tightened on the door track near the roller.
Avoid coming across as overly shy. Speak to your neighbors. Watch their houses, and ask if they’d do the same. Don’t discount what sounds like idle gossip. You might actually learn a thing or two concerning people that have been hanging around.
During the summer, remove all vegetation and dead wood from your yard. These can quickly become fire hazards when hit by direct sunlight, placing your house at risk. Keep your yard clear so it is a safe area.
Meet with representatives from the security company you are considering to determine if they are trustworthy. You should be very picky when it comes to letting people inspect your home. If you simply are not comfortable with a company’s technician, request for another technician or simply hire another company. Ultimately, the whole point is for you to have peace of mind.
If you own a garage, be sure to use it to place your car, as opposed to using it as a storage. This will keep thieves from stealing it or harming it. Hiding it will help to deter people from tracking the times you aren’t there.
If you’ve got skylights, don’t forget about it when it comes to home security. As nice as they look, they’re a prime target for thieves. Use heavy-duty hardware to secure your skylights to the roof.
Before doing anything else, install new locks in your home. Perhaps you aren’t sure who owned the home before you or maybe an old roommate has a key and never returned it. Regardless, changing the locks will ensure your security. It is inexpensive, and most locksmiths will be available for next day appointments.
Even if you’re not going to be gone long, keep your home locked. Many home thefts start with the thief simply walking in an unlocked door or window. A thief can steal lots of stuff in a little amount of time.
If you bought any big or expensive things, wait until trash day to throw away the boxes. If you leave the boxes out all week, it lets people know what type of items you have in your home.
Hide your security system’s wiring. One of the ways an intruder can get around a security system is by disconnecting or cutting the wires. Don’t let this happen; bury or hide the wires. Keep yourself safe.
Change all of the locks in your new residence. Though you may not suspect that the seller is up to something, you still need to be careful. There are other people who have lived in the home as well.
Replace rotten wood on your door frame. Rotted wood can be easily removed by thieves. Replace dead wood with thick, firm pieces to maintain a high level of security.
If you are moving into a home that had a previous owner, then you should immediately change the locks. Although other tenants might not have a key anymore, they could have copied it. You can purchase the locks and install them yourself to ensure you’re the only person that has a key.
Get flashlights with good batteries, and have them in each room in case you lose power. Flashlights are critical, and provide you with the freedom to move about as needed. Train your kids how to use flashlights so that all members of the family can contribute.
Maintain the exterior areas in your house so they are well lit. Darkness allows for all sorts of nefarious activities. Motion sensor lights can work great because they can also alert you when someone does come onto the property. This extends to doorways, porches, garages and lower windows.
Before allowing any security company reps to come into your home, make sure they have on a uniform and they have valid ID. Thieves can pass themselves as workers, which can end up in a robbery of your home. Don’t allow this to happen, as it is a direct threat to your house and its contents. Take care to steer clear of danger.
In the event you find your door open upon arriving home, you should never enter and investigate yourself. Keep in mind that intruders could still be inside. The best thing to do is call the police and wait for them to arrive before doing anything else.
When about to sign a contract with any home security firm, read all the small print. There may be hidden costs involved that you were not aware of. Try avoiding these fees when you can so that you know about them.
Consider purchasing a wireless security system for your home. Systems that are wired are cheaper, but they need unattractive wiring inside your home and may malfunction when you have a power outage. Systems that operate in a wireless environment can be easier to manage and are not as likely to cause extensive rewiring issues.
Have home-security companies come to your home so they can design the best possible system for it. Each homeowner has different priorities in terms of home security. When you choose a company that pays close attention to detail in creating your home security plan, you will feel very secure.
Empty Boxes
If you buy a new, expensive electronic, such as a television or computer, do not leave the empty boxes on your curb. Burglars can see these and they know that you have them in your home, increasing your chances of a break-in. Cut the boxes and wait until the garbage truck comes to put them outside.
If you buy a new, expensive electronic, such as a television or computer, do not leave the empty boxes on your curb. If the burglars see the empty boxes, then they will realize you have the items in your home. As a result, they’ll be more likely to break in so they can steal it. Cut the boxes and wait until the garbage truck comes to put them outside.
Inquire whether a security company offers variable contract lengths. There are going to be ups and downs for each one. With a longer contract, your monthly payment is likely to be lower. The downside is you might be stuck for a longer period of time if you decide you don’t like the service or want to move. Shorter contracts offer greater freedom, but may be more expensive each month.
If your lights are generally turned off at roughly the same time, consider using a timer. This is quite convenient because you won’t need to turn the lights off and on, and you won’t need to worry if you go away for a spell.
Blinds, shades and curtains are best closed when no one is home. When they are open, potential burglars get a free look in. They might see something worth breaking in to get. You should have the windows covered when you’re asleep.
To make you feel at ease, it’s crucial that your home is as secure as possible. Your home is your castle, and you should always feel at ease there. But, unless you know are educated on home security, you may not know how to make your home safe. Hopefully, the above tips gave you the information you need to make it more secure.
If you turn lights on and off around the same time, try using a timer. You will not have to expend as much energy taking care of the lights, but you will still be able to make sure your house is illuminated when you want it to be.