All homeowners need to educate themselves about home security. It can be overwhelming, however, to wade through reams of information on the topic. The following article will help you learn the ins and outs of home security.
You can hide your spare key on your dog. This really only works if you’ve got an outdoor dog or if you’ve got a pet door. You can purchase a special collar that will hold your spare key, so when you forget your keys your dog can let you in.
Spare Key
It is a good idea to replace all the locks on the new home you buy. Many people may have been given keys by the former owner. To make sure your home can only be accessed by you, enlist the help of a locksmith. You should also do this if your keys ever get lost.
Your dog could carry a spare key for you. This will only be ideal if you have a dog door or an outdoor dog. Latch the key on his collar and voila–you have a spare key available!
Make sure you trust your house cleaner before you provide them with a key. You need to ensure that they are honest and reputable according to references before you have handed over the key. All references should be checked. If they work through a larger firm, you can check up on the company with your local Better Business Bureau.
When you buy a new home, be sure to have the locks changed. You have no way of knowing how many folks might have keys to your house. Have a locksmith install a brand new lock. If you lose your keys, you should do the same thing.
Home security plans have other features along with an alarm that goes off during a break-in. Many can be set for sounding their alarm if anyone enters. This could be valuable for parents who have small children, making them aware when their kid has closed or opened a door.
Do you keep your dog outside if you leave the home? You might consider leaving your spare key with your dog. Put the key on the dog’s collar. This works especially well as storage if your pet isn’t too fond of strangers.
Talk to people you know about their security systems. It is probable that you will hear some great stories about some companies as well as some not so great stories about others. This can save you the hassle of having to research everything on your own. Spending a few days asking for reviews is useful in helping you choose correctly.
Buy fire resistant flooring, roofing and ceiling. This ensures your home won’t be a tinderbox. Preventing a fire is important since it can cause a lot of damage.
It is always best to not let people in that just show up out of the blue. No matter how innocent a person may seem or how interesting the product he or she may be offering, you must not allow access. This person might just be casing the joint to see if there is home security equipment.
Don’t announce your vacation agenda on your social networks. This is especially true if you have lots of unfamiliar “friends”. It’s great to see new places and take a lot of photos, but posting them while still overseas lets thieves know your home is empty.
Request information from your local law enforcement agencies about home protection packages. There are many that offer programs that include items, such as home inspection, how to use engraving tools to mark code numbers to identify valuables if yours are stolen, and protective measures advice. Your police department will be able to help you find out what is available in your town.
Switch your locks. There are many different people who might have keys from your past, and removing the potential of them accessing your home can be a very good idea. It shouldn’t cost too much, and the process can be completed very quickly.
Install lights that use a motion-sensor. These lights will turn on if anyone walks too closely to your home. They will signal movement to you but will also serve as deterrents to the thieves. But keep in mind that the bulbs to the security light should be routinely changed to ensure that the deterrent system functions properly.
Use the spaces in your home’s walls to store valuables. You do not have to cut pieces out of the walls to do this. There are many spots in your home that already have areas that are pre-cut. How about unwiring an electricity socket and using it as cover for a place to stash valuable jewelry?
Follow your instincts when choosing a home security company. This is very true when you feel uneasy about the person installing the system. You can decide to use a different company, or ask for a different person to install it. Remember, the new security apparatus is meant to make you feel safe and secure.
Make sure that none of your valuables can be seen from the outside. Having large windows in front of your home may be a great way to see what is happening outside, but it can also give crooks a view inside your home. If your windows are facing the street, make sure you cover them and protect your valuables.
You can hide certain valuables within your walls. You needn’t tear down your walls to do this. Instead, you can use the small spaces that are already there. If you have an electric socket you do not use, hide valuables behind their covers.
If you want to make your house even more secure, a cheap way to do that is to buy outside lights with motion detectors. These lights are not only handy when you get home late, they also help deter criminals from entering your home. Whenever you properly position these lights, they will make it almost impossible for burglars to sneak in.
When deciding on an alarm system, be sure and get one that protects more than your doors. All windows can be entry spots for thieves. Have alarms installed for each window and any other entry point. With this method, your family will be safer.
Don’t limit security to the inside of your home; the outside needs attention too. You should have a clear view out of all your windows and an unobstructed path to any doors. If they can be seen, people will not hide there and attempt a break-in. Plan features like these further from your home to have a safe, beautiful design.
Make sure all the wood around your doors is in great shape. It is simple for a robber to pry away rotting wood and enter your home. Always replace rotting wood with fresh wood immediately to keep your house strong and secure.
Safeguarding your home is one of the most important things any homeowner can do. Still, since there is contradictory information out there, you may not be sure exactly what you need to do. When you do come across security info you find helpful, (hopefully, including the article you’ve just read) it’s a good idea to hang onto it for future reference.
Before letting someone from a security company into a house, get some sort of official identification. It is simple for a thief to pose as a representative of your home security company as a means of gaining access to your house. Don’t allow this to happen, as it is a direct threat to your house and its contents. Use caution to stay out of danger.