Every homeowner ought to know how they can keep both their homes safe. Home invasions can be quite common, and other thing like flood and fire can damage your home. Read on to learn how you can keep your home and loved ones safe from outside threats.
Be sure your home appears to always be occupied. You can purchase timers that can control your household electronics such as lights, TVs and radios. This way, it will appear that you are at home. This is a simple way to improve your home’s safety and make it less attractive to criminals.
Check their references thoroughly. If this professional is from a company, call the BBB to inquire about their reputation.
Home security systems offer additional features that can sound an alarm when someone breaks into your house. They often even alert the homeowner if a person enters the home. This is a valuable safety feature for parents of small children are.
Don’t allow a complete stranger to come in your home. People you do not know could have bad intentions or want to get an idea of how many valuable objects you own. Make sure everyone in your house knows not to open the door unless they know the person standing outside.
Comparison shop when seeking a home security system for the home. Get quotes from no less than three companies before making a decision.
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 a dog that does not take kindly to strangers.
Use the spaces in your home’s walls to store valuables. Don’t make it obvious by cutting out big chunks of drywall. There are many spots in your home that already have areas that are pre-cut. For example, you could take the wiring out of an electric socket that is not in use and put your valuable jewelry in there.
This will help your home under all circumstances.
Turn the ringer off on 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’re not there.
Purchase an alarm system that has a few “bells and whistles;” you don’t just need protection for your doors. All windows can be entry spots for thieves. If you have an alarm attached to each of your windows and doors, you can keep track of all the entry points for your home. They are the most effective.
You should never open your door to a stranger without proper identification. People often think of ways to trick others into letting them in so that they can commit burglary or worse. Make a rule in your home that you only open your door to people who you were expecting.
Police Department
Alter the locks and the keys when you change homes. The previous owners or tenants might have made some copies of the key. It’s easy to install locks, so you can just purchase them at the home improvement store and swap them out to be sure you have the only keys.
See what your area police department has any home security programs. They may offer things such as home inspections, home inspections, engraving tools for marking code numbers onto items so that they will be easily identified if stolen. Call the local police department and inquire as to what is available.
Use your walls to store valuables. You don’t have to cut pieces out pieces of the way. Many spots are already accessible for this purpose.
If you think something looks odd when you get back home, don’t go inside. A thief might still be in there, which could put you in danger. Just contact the police and sit tight until they arrive.
Having these boxes nearby can tell robbers what kind of merchandise you’ve got in your home.
Flashlights are key because they let you move around in an emergency. Teach everyone in your home to use flashlights.
Make sure that whoever is getting your mail while you are on vacation also retrieves any fliers left on the door. Some intruders will place a flyer at your home to see if the flyer is removed immediately or not. Intruders can get a good idea of what your schedule is like or figure out that you are on vacation if the flyer stays on your door for a long time.
If you are moving into a home that had a previous owner, the first thing you should do is change the locks. The person who used to live there may still have made some copies of the key. You can do your own installation to make sure that only you have a key.
Always check references before letting a contractor or a maid in your home. A background check is also be a good idea. You do not know if the people you hire are trustworthy, and this could be a very bad mistake.
Ask the security company about various contract lengths. There are going to be ups and downs for each one. You might pay less each month for longer contracts, but it has its deterrents as well. If you want more freedom, it is best to purchase a more expensive but shorter contract.
Use the Internet when you are seeking a reliable home security company. Once you have selected a few potential home security providers, make appointments with the three best companies you find so that you can compare pricing and other important details.
Think about a wireless security system for the home installed. A wired system might cost less, but wires are a hassle.
Any priceless items need to be secured. Items like family photos, passports, legal documents and expensive jewelry should be kept in a safe place. Floor safes may come in handy for this purpose. Safety deposit boxes are another great idea.
If you are going to be out of town for more than a day or so, ask a neighbor to pick up your mail and check your home for flyers. Thieves will drop off flyers to see if people are home to take them down.
Do not buy spring latches. These are very easy to pick with a credit card. Intruders can pick these locks by wedging a card in between the latch and door for the door. Add a deadbolt if you do not want to replace your spring latch locks for maximum security.
A sliding glass door often presents a big challenge to home security. They can be simply unlocked with a lift and a shake. If your security system is not connected to the doors, cut a board or pipe the exact length of the door channel, and drop it in the space to secure the doors. The pressure applied by the pipe provides added security and makes forcing a sliding door open a much less trivial matter.
Many things can be threats to your home, which is why you need a good security system. You’ve just been giving some great home security tips. Use all of the ideas here to maximize the amount of safety you have.