It is critical that each homeowner educates himself on proper home security. However, you will need to filter out the large amount of old and misinformation available on the web. The article below is intended to help distill the most important concepts and assist you in developing a home security strategy that really works.
Make sure your home appears occupied. Keep your radio, TV and lights on timers. This will give the appearance that someone is at your house at all times. That means burglars will pass right by.
You can hide your spare key on your dog. This will come in handy if your dog is outdoors most of the time or if it can go outside through a pet door. Place the alternative key on your dog’s collar in case of an emergency.
The only time you should give out house keys to house cleaners is if you absolutely trust them. You should not let cleaners have your keys if you feel like you cannot trust them, or if they will be working in your home while you are away. Check their references very carefully. If you hire a cleaner from a company, then you should check the company with the BBB.
Never allow any strangers into your home. Even if this stranger has a believable story or is trying to sell you something, do not let them in. Some people just want to know if there is a security system so they can plan on coming back later or not.
Be sure you have secured your attached garage. There is a way to prevent burglars from entering your home through the garage. Simply attach a C-clamp near the roller on the door track.
Take advantage of any and all security resources your local police force makes available to homeowners. There are lots of different programs, like home inspections, that will help you take the proper steps to make sure your home adequately protected. Contact the police department to see if they have something similar.
Don’t be shy. Talk to the people who live in your neighborhood. By knowing the people in your neighborhood, you can rest a little easier knowing that people are looking out for each other. Also consider listening in on some of the neighborhood gossip. It is often a good way to find out about security issues, such as strangers in the neighborhood.
You can hide certain valuables within your walls. This doesn’t require tearing into your walls, of course. There’s plenty of places in a house with pre-cut areas that can be used. Perhaps you can use an old electricity socket as a place to hide your valuables.
Don’t hide an extra key under a rock or in a planter. Though you might think that you’re giving yourself something you could use to get into your house when you’ve lost your keys, you’re actually inviting intruders inside your house. Burglars always know just where to look. A better solution is to give your key to a neighbor you trust.
You want an alarm system that protects more than your doors. Windows offer easy access to a potential thief. Each point of entry for your home should be monitored by the system. This is a way to make sure your family will be safe.
Keep a flashlight with good batteries in every room of your home, just in case you lose power. Flashlights are essential since they let you move around in an emergency. Make sure your whole family knows where to find them and how to operate them.
Always check references before letting anyone work on your home. You need to do background checks in order to find out about their criminal history. You might not know that the maid or contractor entering your home is a crook, and this could be a very bad mistake.
Security Systems
Consider your own personal safety needs and security risks before exploring home security systems. Although they can be very helpful, security systems aren’t always necessary. In some particular neighborhoods, classes for self defense or acquiring a dog may be the best option. However, the newest home security technology may be the best protection in other regions. Understand completely the risks and rewards in order to make an informed purchase decision.
Every homeowner needs to learn everything they can with regards to home security. Sifting through the astonishing amount of information available, however, can be daunting! Keep these tips handy, so you can refer back to them as you proceed to make your home more secure.
