Every homeowner should learn about sound home security measures. There is a ton of information about home security, and it can be hard to sort through it all. The following piece will give you tips to help you make your home safer.
Only provide your house cleaner with a key if you trust him or her implicitly. If you plan to give them a key so they can clean in your home while you are away, ensure they are reputable and honest. Check their references very carefully. If you are using a cleaning firm, make sure it has an excellent Better Business Bureau rating.
Don’t talk about your vacations on social media. While you may want to shout it from the rooftops, you’re letting everyone know that your home will be vacant and easy to rob.
Solicit word of mouth recommendations from friends, colleagues and family members to find a great home security company or system. Knowledge of first-hand experiences can be very helpful to you when it comes to making this important decision. Make sure to ask neighbors for advice too.
Turn the ringers off on all your phones if you will be away for a prolonged period of time. A burglar might hear your phone ring and ring and ring, then realize that you are not home to answer it.
Do not allow anyone you do not know into your home. There are some people who are very convincing and good at getting you to let them into your house. Some criminals will come in, case your house and then come back when you are away.
Use your garage for what it was intended: your car. A car kept locked in a garage is much less likely to be stolen or damaged. Keeping your car out of sight is also a good way to prevent intruders from determining whether or not you are home.
When dealing with companies that install home security systems, it’s important to trust your gut. If the installers make you feel uncomfortable, heed your feelings. If you are unsure, contact the security company to make sure that the installer was actually sent by them. Security is supposed to give you peace of mind after all!
Walls can serve as a handy hiding place. Small valuables fit nicely inside walls. Target any unused phone jacks or electrical outlets for an easy hiding spot. You can also just put in a false plate to cover a hiding place.
Always lock your house, no matter how briefly you expect to be gone. Surprisingly, lots of burglaries occur because the burglar was able to simply walk in without having to actually break in. It doesn’t take long for a thief to steal thousands of dollars worth of stuff.
If you make a large purchase, like a big screen television, don’t simply set the box out in front of your home. You are alerting thieves that there is something worth stealing inside your home.
Believe it or not, the wires on your house are worth stealing. Many people do not realize this until a crook steals it off of their home. 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 that you keep all your wiring hidden and make it hard to access.
Carefully check the references of everyone before allowing them to enter your home. A background check is also a good idea, so that you know what their criminal history looks like. You can never be certain if the contractor, repairman, maid, etc. that you hire to do services in your home is honest. If you let these people in without knowing anything about them, you could experience significant losses.
Consider a wireless home security system. These systems are much more efficient and can save you time and hassle. Wireless systems are much easier to install, and they can work independently of your home’s power.
Ask the security company about various contract lengths. These lengths can be both good and bad. Longer contracts may offer more affordable monthly payments; however, it may be hard to cancel that contract should you decide to change services or sell your house. There’s more freedom with a contract that’s shorter, but the monthly payments may be higher.
It will be well worth your time to learn about ways to make your home safer. However, it isn’t always easy to sort the good information from the bad. This information can pay a lot of dividends from a monetary and personal perspective.
