A homeowner is responsible for keeping their house secure. While an alarm system can be very helpful, there are also other things to consider. Read on to find out all you can.
Your dog can actually safeguard a spare key. This approach is useful if your dog is a large breed that lives outdoor, or if your house has a doggy door. Just hide a spare house key on the inside of your dog’s collar. Then when you need an extra key, you will be able to access this one.
Don’t make a habit of giving strangers access to your home. This includes a salesperson or people looking for help. Some will come to your door just to determine how secure it is, and they may return later if they think they can easily enter your home.
Buy fire resistant roofing, flooring and ceiling materials. This adds more protection to a house, especially if you’re in a dry area with some power lines. Home security also includes taking steps to prevent a fire from completely destroying your home.
Secure your garage. People often worry about people getting in through attached garages, but you have a solution. A C-clamp can prevent a garage door from even opening if the clamp is tightened on the door track near the roller.
You should mute your land line phone if you are going on a vacation. If your phone rings and is not being answered, criminals will realize that you’re away.
Remove old plants and debris from your yard. These can pose a fire hazard due to heat and storms with lightning. Clear yard regularly to maintain your house safe.
Rid the outside of your home from dead wood, vegetation and overgrowth during the summertime. These are vulnerable to fires and put your home in danger. Therefore, you need to regularly clean your yard so that your home is protected.
Use your wall spaces to hide your valuables. This doesn’t require tearing into your walls, of course. Your home should have a few pre-cut areas that can be used. For example, you might remove the cover of an electrical outlet, disconnect the wires, and use the space to hide small valuables.
It will not benefit you to be shy. Build up a rapport with the people who own homes close to yours. Watch their homes for suspicious activity and get their word that they will do the same thing for you. You shouldn’t neglect gossip. You may hear valuable information regarding security, such as if any strangers have been hanging around.
Even if you only plan to be gone for a very short time, lock your house. Break-ins are often the result of unlocked windows and doors. It can be a quick job for a burglar to steal items of great value.
Have lights that are motion-sensor installed. This type of light will come on when they detect motion within a certain distance of your home. They help notify you of any movement around your house and deter burglars too. Be sure to keep these lights working, though.
Door Frame
Go with your instincts when choosing a security system company. If the men who come to your home to do the installation seem untrustworthy, you can change your mind. Ask the company to send a different installer or simply change companies. You want your new system to protect you, not be the way the thief gets into your home.
Replace rotten wood on your door frame. An intruder can simply pry away that rotted wood and enter your home. Replace the rotting door frame with a new one and keep your home much safer.
Stashing your most precious possession right inside the walls of your home can be a great idea. You do not have to damage your walls to keep your valuables safe. There’s plenty of places in a house with pre-cut areas that can be used. Why not take the guts out of an electrical socket you’re not using? You can convert it into a convenient and covert little wall safe.
Before allowing someone into your house, be sure to carefully check their references. A background check may also be a good idea. You need to be very careful with the contractors, repairmen or maids you trust with being alone in your home.
If your home security system is installed, be sure its wires are well-hidden. Intruders can get around security systems and into a home by cutting the wires. Make it hard for intruders and bury the wires or hide them inside your walls, if possible. This will make you much safer.
Always go over the small print on contracts offered by your home security company. Sometimes, hidden costs can be incurred if you get rid of the service before a certain date. You are going to want to avoid these kinds of hidden fees, so know about them up front.
Whenever you sign with a home-security company, it is important that you thoroughly read the contract. You may find fees appear unexpectedly, including excessive costs for ending your contract early. It’s best to know about these fees in advance so that you can avoid them when possible.
The most useful tool for finding home security is the Internet. You can check out their packages and rates and also read some customer reviews. You can then make three solid selections and make appointments with them.
Safety should be kept in mind when you are planning your landscape. Windows should be free from obstructions like trees, shrubs and fencing. If you have them visible, people can’t hide in those areas while they try to break in. Plan these features for further away from your home.
Ask the home security companies to visit your home and design a system tailored to your needs. Each situation is different. If you find a company that will tailor the plan you choose to your needs, you can get the highest level of security that makes you feel comfortable.
Make sure you have weighed the costs and risks when you are considering your security needs. A home security system is a good idea; however, it is not the perfect solution for every home. Depending on your neighborhood and your household, you might well be better served by a reliable guard dog or self-defense training than by high-tech gadgetry. Before you sink a lot of money into your home’s security, make sure that you’re properly addressing your particular risks.
Keep your garage shut and locked so burglars can’t peek inside. Go to a hardware store and buy some frosting so you can cover your windows. Don’t leave your front door unlocked or standing open when you are working in the garage or yard.
Invest in a high quality paper shredder. Thieves often look through garbage, trying to find credit card information or other important documents. If paper shredders don’t fit into your budget, you can manually rip up important documents yourself.
You don’t have to have a giant key ring full of keys just because you want your home to be secure. If you do have areas to lock, consider getting keyless locks that you can open using a code, rather than carrying a huge ring of keys around with you. They are fairly simple to install, or if you don’t feel comfortable doing so yourself, you can ask your home security company about it.
When you purchase an expensive item such as a computer or TV, be sure to take the cardboard box to the recycling center rather than leaving it on your curb for all the world to see. A burglar may see the box and decide to target you as a result. Break up the boxes into smaller pieces before you put them near the curb.
Term Contract
A great security system for your home is a dog. Dogs are protective of turf and generally make noise when something is wrong. It doesn’t need to be a huge dog either. Even tinier canines can ward off intruders with enough noise.
Find out about the various lengths of contracts your chosen home security company has on offer. There are benefits and drawbacks to each. A long term contract should have a lower monthly rate but it also requires you to commit for a long period of time. While the monthly rates may be higher for a short-term contract, this option is more flexible.
See if your security company only sells equipment, or if they will lease it to you instead. You’ll spend less money in the long-run if you buy the equipment outright. Leasing is usually the cheaper option; however, it does mean higher monthly bills and a contract. Look into both choices to know which one is better for your personal circumstances.
Do not purchase spring latch locks. Just one credit card can get a burglar access to your home. Intruders simply wedge a credit card between the door and latch, triggering the lock to open. If you have already installed spring latch locks, consider adding a deadbolt for even more security.
Make sure you have the curtains drawn if your windows are faced toward the street. You never want to make it easy for folks to peer into your home. If burglars spot the expensive items in your house, they may want to hit you next. Walk around your house to find out what can be seen and then block it.
Now that you’ve finished reading this article, you know what you need to do to keep your home safe. You must realize that these precautions are necessary in order to protect your family. The excellent advice you have just read will help you in achieving this.
Consult with your home security provider on whether they can supply lighting that is motion sensitive. Many companies offer this, and it causes the lights on the outside of your home to go on as soon as someone approaches an entry way. This can provide extra security when you enter your house, and can also hinder an intruder.