You likely know someone who has had his home burglary. Home invasion crimes are happening more often, so people should be extra vigilant about protecting their home. This article provides information about how you can improve the security of your home.
Do you have an outside dog? Store the spare key with them. Put the key on the dog’s collar. This works very well if you have a pet that is not very fond of strangers. You will get the access you need without having to worry about your safety.
Buy a small home safe that you can conceal your valuables in. The safe should be kept hidden in an inconspicuous area of your home.
Use a safe to protect your valuables. You would hate for your expensive jewelry, personal family belongings, etc. to be stolen in case a burglar breaks into your home. Keep your safe in your basement or attic to make it hard to find.
Above a door frame or under a mat are much too common to hide them and potential criminals will check them first. One good place to hide your key inside the collar of your outdoor dog.
When looking to purchase a good home security system, it is best that you look at many companies. Prices for home security systems can vary and they do not all offer the same services. Make sure to obtain quotes from a minimum of three companies prior to deciding on a final one.
Turn the ringers off on all your telephone if you will be away for a prolonged period of time. A constantly ringing phone which rings forever is a sign to burglars that you are not there.
If your social networking accounts are filled with folks you do not really know, do not announce vacations on the sites. Although it’s fun to talk about, posting it online makes it more possible for criminals to find out when you’re gone.
Keeping your car in your house will deter thieves from stealing or vandalizing it. This can also make it more difficult for burglars to track when you away from home.
Do not place your spare keys under your mat or even in plant boxes. Though you may think you are giving yourself a way into your home if you lose your key, you are actually inadvertently inviting intruders into your home. Thieves aren’t stupid and also know common hiding spots. Rather, give your key to a neighbor you find trustworthy.
Talk to your neighborhood.
You never want people to be able to see your valuables from outside of your home. Large windows allow you to keep an eye on who is approaching your home, but keep in mind that potential intruders will be tempted if they can see your valuables. Be sure to put curtains on your front-facing windows so people can’t see your valuable belongings.
Put motion sensor lights into your home. These are lights will turn on whenever any living thing gets too closely to your home. Make sure you regularly change the light bulbs to ensure they continue to work correctly.
You should have several flashlights and batteries in all your rooms. Flashlights are essential since they let you move around in an emergency. Teach everyone in your home to use the flashlights so all family members can see and help each other.
Some maintain that rural residents lead riskier lives because they are far away from neighbors.Others hold that burglars are not as likely to target rural places have less of a chance of being targets for burglars.
Before you let any strangers enter your home, be sure you look over their references. Check if they have any history of criminal activity. Someone can seem nice and professional on the outside, but they may not be so nice on the inside.
Use the spaces in your walls as hiding spaces. You don’t need to cut out of the way. Many spots are already accessible for this purpose.
Ask your security provider about their history in the business. Companies that have been around for years have shown that they know the industry and that their services are reliable and great enough for recommendations. You’ll find it a lot easier to put your faith in the professionals if you take the time to verify their trustworthiness.
Make sure that your valuables can be seen from the outside.Large windows let in light and give you a great view outside, but they also allow outsiders to see inside your living space.
Keep your home’s exterior well lit. Burglars like using darkness to hide. So it’s smart to put a light in typically darker corners around your home. Be sure to consider your front and back porch, garage, ground floor windows and any basement entryway.
Most real-world burglars aren’t master lock-breakers; they simply stroll in through a door is left carelessly unlocked. It won’t take a long time for a robber to pilfer items worth thousands of dollars.
Think about having a wireless security system for the home installed. While wireless systems are often cheap, the cost of installation can be sky high. Wireless options are easy to install, need less maintenance and are not dependent on the home’s power source.
Are you aware of the value of your home’s wires are worth something? A lot of people do not know this fact until a thief steals them from the house. The wiring has copper and is easy to be quickly taken off a short time span. Make sure your wiring is hidden or difficult to access in order to keep this valuable property safe.
Whenever you purchase some expensive item, don’t place the empty boxes right outside your home. This will show that you have expensive equipment in your home. Cut up the boxes completely instead.
It is very common for thieves to pretend to be company reps in order to gain access to your home. This is dangerous to your home and your family. Be very careful with who you want to avoid danger.
There is no need to have keyed locks on interior doors. Instead, key-less key code locks can work just as well. You can have your home security company install it for you, or you can do it yourself.
Be sure to read the fine print to any contracts you plan on signing for a security company.There could be fees if you break a contract early or need additional equipment down the road. You should avoid such expenses if you can, so know about them up front.
Ask whether or not your home security company gives you the option to lease and/or buy your equipment. Buying it may cost more, but this means there are no monthly charges. Leasing is usually the cheaper option; however, it does mean higher monthly bills and a contract. Think about both options before making a decision.
Ask the home security company about how long they’ve been in business before you sign up for service. A company that’s been around for a while has proved they can survive and provide great service to people. Knowing that you are dealing with a shady company can keep you extra peace of mind when making this crucial decision.
Don’t hide keys in obvious areas. Everybody knows about fake rocks. Hiding a key under the doormat is even worse; this cliched tactic will fool no one. A better plan is to ask someone you trust to keep your extra key in case you need it. If you can’t, be creative where you put the key.
While these systems are great and can help protect your family, they aren’t for everyone. Some neighborhoods may do better with self-defense classes or having a dog, while other people enjoy the feeling of security that a sophisticated alarm system can bring. Know what you can make your decisions based on that.
If you want to minimize the maintenance required by your security system, go with one that’s hard-wired. Wireless systems, while convenient, will require much more maintenance. If you do not stay on top of your wireless security system, you run the possibility of it failing when you need it most. Replacing several batteries will quickly add up.
Sliding glass doors can be a huge security hazards. They are easily unlocked with a lift and a shake. This will keep the door closed tight and makes it difficult to force open.
Set up a timer to turn your lights off and on at regular intervals. Not only does this save you a step, you can continue the routine even when you are not home.
Being friendly will bring you right away.
Any doors that aren’t solid wood or made of metal should be replaced. These doors hold really good. It would be very hard for a burglar to kick it and go inside. It shouldn’t be too costly to replace your exterior doors, so go do it.
Deadbolts that have captive keylocks are usually your wisest choice. These have a thumb latch that no one can reach around and open the lock via a broken window nearby. When you are home, leave your key in this kind of lock for easy egress in the event of fire.
A house alarm is a great option, as long as you call the cops when it alarms. The smart thing to do is to get an alarm that is centrally monitored. That way, the police will definitely show up if it sounds. Neighbors won’t always be home to call.
Women living alone or with children are targeted more often than others. Place big muddy boots near the front of your home to give off a male lives there. This will definitely deter criminals second thoughts and make your home.
Women are targets for thieves, especially those with kids. Put muddy boots on the doorstep so that it appears there is a big man that lives in your home. This keeps those criminals away for sure.
Don’t leave toys outside when not in your yard. This gives thieves the idea that women are on the premises. Homes with women are usually targeted more due to valuable jewelry.
While locks which are sealed up on the inside are dandy, if you can’t lock it from the outside, it won’t be of much use. The best lock is a deadbolt and those that have keys for the inside and outside can prevent burglars from opening them.
Don’t fool yourself into believing that only expensive homes are broken into. Intruders could target your home if you have a few valuables. If you follow the tips written in this guide, you will surely be able to protect your house from unwanted intruders.
Do not let the inside of your home be displayed to the street. If there are valuables visible from the outside, thieves will be aware of this. Try installing drapes or blinds so that people outside can’t see what you have inside. If you can’t do this, put your valuable belongings in areas that cannot be seen from outside.