If you have valuables like jewelry, art or lots of money, don’t assume that only you know about it. Guard against burglaries by bolstering your security strategy. Read these tips to make your home a safer place.
Make your home look occupied at all times. Use timers to make electronic devices and lights turn on and off at intervals. This will make it look like someone is home. This is an excellent method for avoiding burglary and keeping your home secure.
Do you keep your dog outdoors when you are away from home? He or she is actually a great place to store your spare key. The key can be attached to the collar of your dog. This will ensure that burglars cannot see it. If you have a pet that does not trust strangers, this can help you get into your house if needed.
The only time you should give out house keys to house cleaners is if you absolutely trust them. If you do give your housekeeper a key or plan on doing so, it is imperative that they are honest and upstanding. Check out their references thoroughly. If they work through a larger firm, you can check up on the company with your local Better Business Bureau.
Keep your jewelry, vital documents and other expensive items in a safe. This is very important, as you do not want your gold, diamonds and personal items exposed if someone were to break into your house. The safe should be situated in an inconspicuous area of your home.
Buy a safe. You can’t have your valuable personal items and jewelry out in the open for anyone to see. Hide your safe in a hard to find place like the basement or attic.
Spare Key
It’s important to shop around before you settle on the right security system for your home. Most companies have different price schemes for the the same general level of protection. Get quotes from several companies so that you can get the best price for your home security system.
Carefully consider where you hide your outside spare key. Common places to hide a spare key are above your door frame or underneath your doormat. Therefore, thieves are more likely to check these places out first. You should hide it in your dog’s collar.
If you want to have a spare key close to your house in order to prevent lockouts, make sure you give its hiding place some careful thought. Doormats and door frames are predictable places that burglars will always check. Rather, think about putting a key on your outside dog’s collar.
Try not to have a shy attitude. Talk to your neighbors. Keep an eye on their houses and yards and request that they return the favor. Don’t ignore any gossip either. You may end up hearing about things such as odd folks roaming about the neighborhood.
When it comes to securing your home, start by changing your locks. 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. Changing the locks can typically be done very cheaply and quickly.
Security System
Find a home security company you can trust. If you don’t feel comfortable with the technician, don’t allow them access to your home. If you don’t feel comfortable, go with someone else. You want your new system to protect you, not be the way the thief gets into your home.
You have a choice on who installs your security system, don’t be afraid to say no if something doesn’t feel right. This goes for the installer, too. You can decide to use a different company, or ask for a different person to install it. Your security system is supposed to help you, not cause you more stress.
Even if you’re not going to be gone long, keep your home locked. Most burglars gain entry to a home through an unlocked door. It can be a quick job for a burglar to steal items of great value.
Make certain no one can see your valuable belongings through windows and doors. Though it is nice to have big windows to get a great view of the outdoors, it is also easier for burglars to look into your home. If your windows are facing the street, make sure you cover them and protect your valuables.
If you have any boxes to discard from large, expensive items, wait until the evening before the trash is scheduled for collection. Letting such packaging sit out will signal to criminals that there are good things to be found in your house.
If you are new into a house, replace all the locks. You have no way of knowing whether the previous homeowner is trustworthy. Besides, other tenants or owners might have copies of the key if the previous owners did not change the locks.
Your flashlights should always be equipped with good, working batteries. They give you and your family the opportunity to move around should the electricity go out. Keep in mind that your family might be separated during a power outage, and make sure you children know where to find and how to use your flashlights.
Keep lights on at all times if you want to prevent break-ins from happening. This will deter crooks from trying your home. If you have your home lit up, then you have made it hard for burglars to hide and rob your home. Keep those lights shining brightly at night.
Be certain to read the entire contract when you hire a home security firm. They sometimes have hidden costs if you let go of them prior to the contract expiring. Avoid as many fees as you can by reading everything.
Don’t limit security to the inside of your home; the outside needs attention too. There should be no plants or greenery in front of doors or windows. If you have them visible, people can’t hide in those areas while they try to break in. Plan your greenery and shrubbery for areas away from the direct path to your home to add beauty while still keeping your house safe.
Be sure and keep the outside of your house well lit. Darkness allows for all sorts of nefarious activities. Install lights in areas that possible criminals can use to enter your home. This includes doorways, windows, and your garage.
Empty Boxes
Think about getting a home security system that is wireless. Wired systems might be a bit less expensive, but they often involve intrusive rewiring of your home, and can become faulty during a power outage. The wireless systems are simpler to maintain and install and they don’t need power from the home to run.
If you buy something that is expensive, you need to make sure you don’t leave empty boxes curbside. 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 box up and hide the writing when you put it out.
If you don’t own a paper shredder, get one. A thief looking through your discarded papers can find a lot of information you do not want them to have. They may even learn your schedule, so they can burgle your home while you are away. Cutting the papers into small pieces with a pair of scissors is another option.
You don’t need to rely on keys to prevent entry to certain areas of your home. Get key-less locks that need a code. Either you or a security company can install them.
Put in a surveillance system. Both hidden and visible security cameras are effective in protecting your home. Also, you can capture the intruder in the act. You can often view these feeds over the Internet, too.
See if your security firm offers a variety of contract lengths. There are of course pros and cons for each contract. Longer agreements may cost less per month, but you may not be able to get out of the contract if you need to. A shorter contract gives you more freedom, but it may cost you more per month.
Keeping a dog provides a great way to boost your home’s defense. They are protective about their territory, plus they make noises that keep burglars at bay. A big, vicious guard dog isn’t necessary. Even the barking of a tiny dog can repel potential burglars, who want to avoid noises as they carry out their crimes.
If you aren’t at the house, keep the windows and curtains closed. You don’t want potential thieves knowing you are gone. By failing to do so, you are granting a prime view of your house and your belongings. If their eyes fall on something they like, they are going to think about breaking in. Your window dressing should also be closed while you sleep.
Don’t utilize spring latch locks. These type of locks can actually be opened by using a credit card. Intruders can pick these locks by wedging a credit card in between the latch and the door. If your doors have locks that are spring latch, add a deadbolt for extra security.
Instead of thinking that your house will never be threatened by a criminal, always prepare for the worst. Don’t be scared, but do be cautious. Keep these tips in mind if you want some good ways to improve the security of your home.
Avoid keeping auto registration in your glove compartment. These valuable documents provide criminals with information about your home location. Hide them somewhere else in the car, or carry them with you. You should have easy access to them if you should be pulled over.
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