Navigating your way through the field of home security can be pretty frustrating if you’re not knowledgeable about the subject and familiar with your options. You need to know what to expect and what you can do. Keep reading to find out what is available to you to make a good decision.
Change your locks whenever you undergo a significant life change. Whether moving into a new home or a former relationship moving out, you should always know who has a copy of the keys to your home. It would be best if you also changed your locks anytime you lose your keys.
Do not hide your key in a mailbox or other well-known location. Instead, put your key in paper or aluminium foil and place it in a small container. After doing this, bury it in a yard where people would not think to look. This can help keep your home safe from unwanted guests.
A survey taken by police officials reveals that 85 per cent of them believe a home is more protected when equipped with a security system. Also, 60 per cent of attempted burglaries are unsuccessful when the targeted home has a security system. For this reason, home insurance companies give a discount if the home has a security system.
If you plan to have the cable guy or repair man come to your house, refrain from putting notes on the door. This shows burglars that you are not currently home, which will make them more prone to robbing your house. Use phone communication to indicate to your service members the details of your whereabouts.
If you are a smoker, put out your cigarette in a cup of water to prevent a fire hazard. This should be done before you put it in the trash, as you risk the bud not burning out when you rub it in your ashtray. Smoke outside to reduce all risk of a fire occurring in your home.
Regardless of the quality of your home security system, you need to check it annually. Ask someone from your security company to come over and have a look. Wild animals, domestic pets, and weather are all factors that can affect the reliability of your home security system. If you don’t see the problem, you may remain unaware.
If your front door does not have a peephole, it is wise to have one installed. Peepholes allow you to see who’s at your front door before opening it. Some homeowners choose to have two peepholes installed to allow for the difference in the height of those that live in the home.
Ask a neighbour to watch your home and get your mail if you are going on a trip for a week or more. Burglars sometimes check to see that the mail or newspapers are piling up on a driveway. If your neighbour gets these in advance, it looks as if you are home.
If you see anyone in your neighbourhood you don’t know who seems to continually pop up, including a questionable car, ask your neighbours if they know them. If not, a call to the police will only protect your home, even if it is at the expense of someone who happens to be loitering peacefully.
Never reveal any personal information to someone at the door or call your house that you do not know. Ensure that your children follow the same policy, as this can lead to the wrong people getting personal information. This will make it harder for someone to locate and rob your house.
Put down a fence in your yard to secure the area that is yours and prevent burglars from coming in. Make sure that this fence is high enough to make it very difficult for any robbers to get over it. This will add a strong layer of protection around the perimeter of your house.
Never leave a note on your door for delivery or service people. A note on a door might as well be a neon sign for a potential intruder, alerting them that nobody is home. Try to arrange for a friend or neighbour to accept your delivery or let a service person onto the property if you cannot be home.
Your best security set-up is a noisy dog for home security. When someone jiggles a door handle or tries to jimmy open a window, Fido can run over and give them the scare of their lives. When you get your dog from a shelter, you’re doing a good deed, too.
The best types of locks are deadbolt locks. Spring locks are the easiest for a thief to manipulate. They are also the most common in many homes. People will lock the spring lock on the doorknob but leave the deadbolt unlocked. The deadbolt is the hardest for a thief to access, so use it whenever you can.
The outside of your house should be well lit. Burglars love to operate in the dark. Install lighting anywhere a possible intruder might break in. This can include the garage, doorways, porches, and other areas that invite an intruder.
Installing an alarm system in your home can significantly increase security. Potential burglars may be scared off by seeing that your home has an alarm system. If a break-in does occur, a loud audible alert will often send the intruder running, and the alarm system will quickly and effortlessly alert authorities to the situation.
Your auto registration is best kept somewhere other than your glove compartment. This isn’t smart since anybody who gets them will know your address. Instead, carry them with you or find a more secure location in your car. They’ll always need to be close by if you get pulled over.
Now you are ready to get out there and get the home security system you and your family need. You must take this knowledge with you to put it to good use. There is no reason to stay lost in home security systems now.
