Your home may be in danger and you may not even know it. Do not put your home and loved ones at risk due to laziness. The advice below will make for a great start.
Man’s best friend can also be trusted to secure a spare key. This works with a dog that stays outside or a dog with a pet door. Simply affix a spare key to the collar of the animal. You’ll always have a backup plan if you lose your key!
Get a good safe to store your valuables in your home. You need this because you would not want burglars to see these valuable items around in your house. The safe should be situated in an inconspicuous area of your home.
Beware giving keys to your maid unless the service has your absolute trust. If you plan to give them a key so they can clean in your home while you are away, ensure they are reputable and honest. Make sure you check references. If the cleaner has been sent by a company, call the Better Business Bureau to check on the company’s reputation.
When you decide to purchase a home alarm system, make sure you comparison shop. Prices vary quite a bit. Obtain quotes from a minimum of three home security companies before making a final decision.
When you set out to purchase home security equipment, remember to comparison shop. Prices can be very different from one product to another. Try to get two or three quotes before making a decision.
The materials of your home should be fire resistant. This will add an extra protection layer for your house, particularly if you live near power lines or in a dry location. Because of the amount of damage fires can cause, it is important to protect your home from them.
Buy fire resistant flooring, roofing and ceiling. This will make your home more safe, especially if you are in a dry climate that has many power lines. Fire prevention should be taken seriously because it can stop a major disaster from happening.
If you have an extensive online presence that includes a lot of people you don’t know too well, avoid announcing upcoming vacations. Although you may want to let others in on your excitement, it may inadvertently give burglars a heads up to target your property.
Don’t announce your vacation agenda on your social networks. This is especially true if you have lots of unfamiliar “friends”. While you may want to shout it from the rooftops, you’re letting everyone know that your home will be vacant and easy to rob.
There’s no security system so durable that it can go without regular maintenance and inspections. Have yours checked out once a year. Get someone from the security firm to inspect it. A number of things may cause your alarm system to have problems, including mother nature and wild animals. There are always ways your home is vulnerable, even if you don’t know it.
Ask friends for some advice before choosing home security companies and systems. Your friends have gone through both bad and good experiences and they will be able to share them with you. Be sure you seek out advice by asking those people.
Walls make the perfect hiding spot. You can hide small, valuable items inside the walls of your home. Use an old switch plate, outlet or phone jack. Anything not used currently makes a good spot for hiding.
Turn off your phone’s ringer when you go on vacation. If a burglar keeps hearing your phone ring, they’ll know the home is not occupied, making it more likely for a break-in to occur.
Hide any valuables in wall spaces. This does not mean that you should make alterations to your walls. Most homes are pre-equipped with these handy spaces. For instance, consider using an electricity socket that is unused, and stash your precious jewelry in there.
Do not allow anyone you do not know into your home. Be wary of those who come to your door selling products, asking for help, or telling sob stories. Some people will simply knock on your door to see whether or not there is a security system installed, and if there isn’t, they may target you later when you’re away.
Do not choose a home alarm system that monitors only your doors. It should protect the windows too. Be certain they are also alarmed and monitored. This is a way to make sure your family will be safe.
A secure hiding place can be created in a wall. If you own small valuables that require protection, try hiding them in the walls. You can use phone jacks or electric outlets as hiding spots. If you’re using all your outlets, you can install phony ones.
You need flashlights and plenty of batteries in each room just in case your power ever goes out. Flashlights are critical, and provide you with the freedom to move about as needed. Show your children how to use them so everyone in the family is involved.
Keep a flashlight with good batteries in every room of your home, just in case you lose power. If the power goes out, you will be able to see everything. Teach your children how to properly use flashlights.
Change the locks on any new place you move into. Even though the previous tenant may have turned in their key, you never know if they have a copy. This will help safeguard that there is no one else with your key.
If you arrive home and you see that your door is ajar, never enter to investigate on your own. This is very dangerous due to the fact that the thief can still be inside your property. It is best to call the police right away and go to a safe place until the police check your home.
When choosing between security companies, read everything on the contract. There may be some hidden fees, or a need to buy more equipment later. You’ll definitely want to avoid these types of fees if you can, so read carefully.
Put a surveillance system in your home. Both hidden and visible video cameras can help keep your home safe. Cameras that can be clearly seen have a powerful deterrent effect, while concealed cameras are difficult or impossible for intruders to disable. A lot of surveillance systems may be accessed through a cell phone, letting you check on your house when you’re away.
Unfortunately, burglars can be extremely unpredictable. As a result, knowing when your home may be targeted can be difficult. Take steps to prevent it from happening to you instead of wishing for it. Start with these tips, and grow from there.
A great way to deter criminals from getting into the garage is to make sure nobody sees inside it. Cover your windows in frosting, which can be bought at big box hardware stores, so people can’t peek inside. It’s also a good idea to avoid leaving your garage door open for any longer than absolutely necessary, even if you’re at home.