If you have a home, you know how vital it is to keep it safe. A damaged home can leave your family devastated. You make a huge monetary and emotional investment in your home. The article below has the tips you need to keep your home safe.
When you decide to purchase a home alarm system, make sure you comparison shop. You’ll find a wide range of prices from different companies. Be sure and get a minimum of three quotes from different companies prior to choosing one.
Your home should always look like it is occupied. Invest in timers to automatically turn on and off any electronics at various times. This will make it look like someone is home. This is a simple way to improve your home’s safety and make it less attractive to criminals.
Don’t let people into your house that you don’t know. Even if this stranger has a believable story or is trying to sell you something, do not let them in. Some criminals will use any reason to gain access to look for security systems and easy entryways into your house.
When you set out to purchase home security equipment, remember to comparison shop. Prices can be very different from one product to another. Make sure to obtain quotes from a minimum of three companies prior to deciding on a final one.
Your garage should be as secure as your home. It is possible for an intruder to get in the garage and then gain access to the house; however, you can do something about it. Simply attach a C-clamp near the roller on the door track.
Get advice from loved ones about home security systems. Most will be willing to share their likes, loves and loathes, especially as they realize how important it is to you. Make sure to ask neighbors for advice too.
Be brave! Speak to your neighbors. Watch their homes for suspicious activity and get their word that they will do the same thing for you. You never want to ignore gossip. Important security details (like the presence of strangers in your neighborhood) can come out of the most innocent conversations.
If you own a garage, be sure to use it to place your car, as opposed to using it as a storage. Keeping the car in the garage can keep thieves from vandalizing or stealing it. If you keep your car in the garage instead of in the driveway, it is harder for thieves to know whether you are at home or not.
Do you live outside the city? You might be less worried about home invasions than if you lived in an urban area. There are differences between large cities and homes located in the countryside. Then again, others think rural areas are not as much of a target.
Security System
When you purchase big, expensive items be sure to break down the boxes and take them to the recycling center yourself. These boxes sitting outside your home serve as a flag for thieves to target your home.
Go with your instincts when choosing a security system company. This is particularly true if you feel uncomfortable with a company you are dealing with. If you are unsure, contact the security company to make sure that the installer was actually sent by them. The point of having a security system is to make yourself feel at ease.
Keep a flashlight with good batteries in every room of your home, just in case you lose power. They give you and your family the opportunity to move around should the electricity go out. Teach everyone in your home to use the flashlights so all family members can see and help each other.
You should change all the locks if you just bought or rented a new home. Though you may not suspect that the seller is up to something, you still need to be careful. Keep in mind that other people may have lived in the home prior to the seller.
Don’t allow your landscaping make it easier for burglars to break into your home. Windows should be free from obstructions like trees, shrubs and fencing. If these things can be seen by the naked eye, they won’t offer hiding places to potential criminals. Have your landscape several feet away from your house for better safety.
Replace rotted wood around entryways. Anyone hoping to enter your home can very easily do so by just prying away the rotted wood. Therefore, replace rotted wood with fresh wood to ensure your home’s safety.
Before signing up for home security, find out how long they’ve been in business. Find a home security company that has a good reputation and many years of experience to get excellent service. You can feel confident when you choose a well established, reputable home security company.
If you are entering a house that has already been occupied, you should first change your locks. You do not want anyone to have a copy of the key. This will help safeguard that there is no one else with your key.
Ask your home security company about coming to your residence and creating a system that is tailored to your personal needs. Each situation is different. If there is a company that can come up with a customized plan, you will get what you really need.
If you scheduled an appointment for a member of the security company to come to your house, ask them to show you some identification first. Intruders could disguise themselves to inspect your home. This could be quite dangerous. Be careful to avoid any potential dangers.
One effective home security trick you can use is by installing outdoor motion sensor lights. Nothing is as attractive to a burglar as a dark, deeply-shadowed house. Install lights by each and every entryway to your home. This can include the garage, doorways, porches and other areas which invite an intruder in.
Motion Detectors
If you arrive home and you see that your door is ajar, never enter to investigate on your own. The thief may remain inside. Instead, call 911 and report a possible break-in.
If you wish to boot your home’s security, one cheap way to do this is to buy exterior lights with motion detectors. During the night hours, these lights help light up the outside of your home, which makes them an excellent addition to your home security strategies. In addition, they are very affordable. With good positioning and properly set motion detectors, intruders will not be able to sneak up on your home unnoticed.
If someone looks after your house when you’re gone, have them remove fliers from the door. Often burglars will place these at homes and wait to see if people take them down. A flier that hangs around for days on end lets burglars know that there’s no one in the home.
Keep safety at the forefront when landscaping your property. Shrubs, trees, fences, etc. should not obstruct the view of your doors and windows. If they can be seen, potential burglars will not be able to use them as hiding places before breaking in. Keep this in mind as you design.
Inquire whether a security company offers variable contract lengths. They probably each have their pluses and negatives. Long contracts are cheaper every month, but can outlast your stay in the home. A short contract may seem more expensive each month, but you have more freedom.
If you will be away from your home, arrange to have whoever is collecting your mail to also pick up fliers placed inside your door. Burglars often put fliers on the door to see if the owner removes them. If the flier is not removed, they will know you are not home.
You shouldn’t keep your car registration documents inside the glove box. If someone finds them, they’ll know your address. You should make sure to keep them on you, or store them somewhere safe in your car. If a cop pulls you over, you will need them anyway.
Anytime you make a new electronics purchase, keep the boxes off the curb until the very last minute. Don’t advertise that you have expensive new equipment! Cut up the boxes when they’re empty.
Secure your true valuables in an area that is as safe as possible. It is best to keep items such as passports, legal documents, photos and financial records in a spot that is secure. A fireproof floor safe is ideal for this. You may even choose to store them outside your home in safety deposit box.
You need to know your options with companies concerning either leasing or purchasing equipment. Buying will save you a ton of money over time. Leasing is usually cheaper, but monthly fees can be high and you will need a contract. Think about both options before making a decision.
Establish some good relations with your neighbors. You never know who might be watching when someone is sneaking around your home. If you remain in their good graces, then, you have a better chances of finding out valuable information.
As stated in this piece, making sure your house is safe need not be tough. You just need to be knowledgeable on home security ideas. Use these ideas to boost your home’s security. Each one is important in creating maximum safety, so don’t pass over them.
Any external wires can be a big target for thieves. Electrical wiring and wiring components contain valuable copper which can be sold by enterprising criminals. Concealing your wiring will prevent thieves from stripping the copper from your items and leaving you will multiple expensive repair costs.