It is likely that you know someone who has been burglarized at one time. This crime is becoming more common, so you need to be vigilant. All neighborhoods are targets for break-ins. Use the tips in this article to increase your home’s security.
Your dog could carry a spare key for you. This will come in handy if your dog is outdoors most of the time or if it can go outside through a pet door. Simply attach a spare key to your dog’s collar (in a secure and non-visible place, of course) so that you’ll be able to retrieve it if you need it.
Spare Key
Do not give the key to your home to your cleaning person unless you are certain they are worthy of your trust. If you plan on giving them the key so that they can work in your home for over an hour, make sure that they’re reputable, hardworking, and honest. Ask for references and check them thoroughly. If you are using a cleaning firm, make sure it has an excellent Better Business Bureau rating.
Place the spare key that you make 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.
Home security systems offer other triggering features besides having an alarm sound. They can actually be set to chime whenever a monitored door is opened. This is important to parents who have small children, because they will want to know if the children have opened a door.
It’s important to comparison shop for alarm systems. Wild variations in pricing can exist for similar security products. Try to get two or three quotes before making a decision.
Take advantage of any and all security resources your local police force makes available to homeowners. 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. Discuss these programs with a local police officer to see if they’re available in your area.
Turn the ringers off on all your phones if you will be away for a prolonged period of time. This is because a phone that is ringing and ringing can tip of a burglar that nobody is currently home.
People in rural areas are not usually as worried about burglaries as people in cities. Interestingly, many think those living in rural areas are actually more susceptible to break-ins since neighbors may not live close by. That said, stranger things have happened.
Don’t let strangers enter your home. Even if someone has a good story, requires help or has a great product to sell, ignore them. Some people may simply be trying to determine whether or not you have a home security installed; if you don’t, they may plan to return later if you are away from your home.
A wall is a great hiding place. If you have small valuables you want to protect, consider hiding them inside your walls. You could use a phone jack, electrical outlet or a switch plate. You can also install a fake one.
Put motion-sensor lights into your home. These are lights that turn on whenever any living thing gets too close to your home. They help notify you of any movement around your house and deter burglars too. Just remember to change out the bulbs every so often so the lights remain in working order.
Conceal valuable spaces within your walls. You do not have to damage your walls to keep your valuables safe. Instead, you can use the small spaces that are already there. Unused electrical sockets can be great for hiding expensive jewelry.
The walls are a perfect hiding place. Jewelry and other small items can be protected very well when placed in hiding places in your walls. You can use the opening provided by an electrical switch plate or other device that is not being used. You put in a fake plate if there aren’t any unused in your home.
Always lock your doors, even if you are just walking down the street. A lot of times, burglaries happen due to carelessness. It does not take long for thieves to steal a lot from your home.
Even if you’re not going to be gone long, keep your home locked. It may be shocking, but many home invasions and burglaries occur by intruders walking through the front door that was left open. Thieves can steal thousands worth of your belongings very quickly.
The alarm system you choose should protect more than just the doors to your home. Intruders can enter through your windows too. The alarm and monitoring system should be set for all windows and doors. You want the best security possible for your family.
Security System
If you’ve recently moved into a house, get any locks changed out. As nice as the previous person may seem, you don’t really know them. You should also keep in mind that other people may have lived in the home before the previous homeowner.
Keep the wires of your home security system hidden. Many intruders bypass a security system by cutting the wires. Don’t let this happen; bury or hide the wires. Your system will be far more effective this way.
Be sure to read all of the fine print to any contracts you plan on signing for a security company. There could be fees for terminating the contract early or acquiring additional equipment down the road. If you can’t avoid these types of fees, you should at least be aware of them.
Were you aware of how valuable your house wires are? People don’t realize this until it is stolen. Copper is expensive and most wiring is composed of it, so stripping it is a great way for crooks to make a quick buck. Be sure to hide your wires or make sure they are hard to get to.
Ask your home security company how long they have been in business before you sign up for service. Many years of service bode well for the company’s performance. You should not trust a company that does not have a good record with your local Better Business Bureau or few years of experience.
Put up video surveillance. Video camera installation can effectively make your home secure. Most intruders are discouraged by visible cameras. But, if they attempt to disable the camera, you will still be able to see them if you have a hidden camera. You can often view these feeds over the Internet, too.
Have a home security company come to your house and come up with a system that best suits your needs. There are always going to be unique things about your home as well as your specific needs, so make sure you think about these things. A good company will tailor your security plan to the needs of you and your family.
Talk to your security company about the contract; in particular, inquire about the various contract lengths that are available to you. Each will have its own pros and some cons, too. A long contract may lock you in even if you choose to sell the house or want to stop the services, but it can result in a lower bill every month. While the monthly rates may be higher for a short-term contract, this option is more flexible.
The areas outside your home should be kept well lit. Thieves prefer to work in darkness. You should put a light on any area where a person could break in. This can include the garage, doorways, porches and other areas which invite an intruder in.
When you aren’t home, make sure your windows are covered. When they are open, potential burglars get a free look in. If they notice this, they may break in. You should keep them closed while you are asleep.
If you plan to be away and you have another person collecting your mail, have them double check your front door for fliers. Burglars have been known to put these up, waiting to see if they are removed or not. If the flier is not moved, they know that the occupant is not around or on vacation.
Talk to your home-security company to see if they provide buy and lease options for your equipment. Buying it may cost more, but this means there are no monthly charges. While leasing might be less expensive, it also comes with high monthly fees and contracts. Explore both options to see which works best for you.
Avoid keeping auto registration in your glove compartment. This isn’t smart because anyone can reads them can see where you live. Ideally, you should carry your registration in your wallet or bag. If you must leave them in the car, pick a less obvious hiding place. Make sure you can easily and quickly access them in the event that a police officer pulls you over.
If you keep a spare key outside, make sure it is not kept in an obvious location. It is easy to spot a fake rock. The first place an intruder will likely look is under the doormat. The best strategy is to have a neighbor or good friend hold a spare key in case you need it. If you cannot do that, at least find an unusual place to hide the key.
Do not hide your key in obvious places. An easily moved object close to the door is the first place a burglar will look. Doormats and rocks in front of the house are too obvious. It is probably best to find someone you trust to hold a key for you. If you can’t, be creative where you put the key.
Math Problem
Devote extra security to your irreplaceable possessions. Some of these items can include legal documents, jewelry, passports, and priceless family photos. Floor safes make for great places to hide such items. If you can, a safety deposit box that is outside your home is even better.
Don’t make an obvious or easy password for your numeric keypad lock. It is easy for anybody to learn your birthday, which makes it easy for them to access the house. Try using a number that is the solution to a math problem. Then you can just remember the math problem to arrive at the solution.
It is not enough to buy an alarm for your home. It needs to connect with the police if a burglar sets it off. Even better is to purchase alarms that are monitored centrally, so that the police are automatically contacted. It is not safe to assume the neighbors will call the police.
Secure any valuables which can’t be replaced. Some of these items can include legal documents, jewelry, passports, and priceless family photos. Purchase a safe with a lock to store all of these items. You could also look into getting a bank safe deposit box.
Although the nosey neighbor is often considered a nuisance, as a homeowner it can be valuable to forge relationships with gossipy types. If there are unfamiliar people hanging around, the busybodies in your neighborhood will notice. If they know and like you, they will be more inclined to let you know.
Figure out if motion sensitive lighting is an option for your home by talking to your home-security company. This will illuminate the exterior of your home anytime someone approaches. This further protects you from having unwanted guests enter your home.
Crooks hate camera surveillance. When you see a burglar with a mask in the movie, you are watching fiction. Burglars may not use any sort of covering for their faces, since they don’t want to draw attention. If a surveillance system is clearly visible, they probably will leave.
Remember that burglaries happen in all kinds of homes, from modest to luxurious. The houses most often broken into are those that are easy to break into. If you use these tips to better your security measures, you can better protect your family and home from burglars.
The home security company you choose should offer more than just systems. Home security companies that come to your house and make an attempt to ensure your safety are the best. These ideas may include installing additional locks, trimming bushes or installing windows that are more secure. Find a company with an excellent reputation and quality customer service so you can get a solution adapted to your needs.
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