Something bad can happen at any time, and you’ll never expect it. Never risk danger to your home, family and belongings by neglecting the important issue of home security. The article below contains tips and tricks to help you create a secure environment for yourself and your family.
Your home should looked occupied all the time. You can buy timers to have radios, TVs, lights and other electronics go off and on at different times. It’ll make it seem like someone is home. This will keep people from breaking in.
Don’t just hide your spare key anywhere. The doormat is too obvious of a place to hide it, as robbers will look there first. Try hiding the key in your outside dog’s collar.
You should never give details about your vacations and other plans on social networks. Potential intruders could get a good idea of when you will be gone by monitoring what you share on social networks.
Turn off ringers on land line phones while you are on vacation. When burglars hear phones ringing for an extended period of time in a home, they know that there is no one there to answer.
Remove old plants and debris from your yard. These are vulnerable to fires and put your home in danger. Clearing your yard keeps your home, belongings and family much safer.
Try installing motion-sensor lights. If someone enters their proximity, they will light automatically. This is a good way of knowing who comes near your home and keeps you safe if you ever come home late. Remember that the bulbs need to be changed so that the lights keep working.
Rural Areas
People in rural areas are not usually as worried about burglaries as people in cities. Interestingly, many think those living in rural areas are actually more susceptible to break-ins since neighbors may not live close by. Still there are those that think that burglars are not as likely to target rural areas.
Walls are a good place to hide things. Keep small, valuable items inside the walls of your home. You could use a phone jack, electrical outlet or a switch plate. You can easily install fake unused plates.
Don’t put your spare keys under floor mats or plants. These seem like great places for you when you misplace your key. Burglars are well aware of such hiding places. A better solution is to give your key to a neighbor you trust.
Be cognizant of what others can see when they look in your windows. You might enjoy large windows so you can see out, but just remember that makes it easier for those burglars to see inside your home as well. Always keep your windows covered and do not tempt others by displaying your possessions.
Don’t leave the packaging from any electronics or expensive purchases sitting on the curb until trash day. Having these boxes around will let thieves know the type of items that are inside your home.
When moving into a house, ensure that each lock has been replaced. Though you may not suspect that the seller is up to something, you still need to be careful. You should also keep in mind that other people may have lived in the home before the previous homeowner.
Check references before giving anyone access to your home. It wouldn’t hurt to also perform a background check. You can never be too sure about anyone you hire to enter your home, and giving them access can work against you.
It might be time to get yourself a paper shredder if you haven’t already gotten one. Thieves often find the trash cans to be a gold mine of pertinent information about potential victims. If you can’t afford to buy a paper shredder, tear your papers up into tiny bits before throwing them away.
Replace any non-metal or non-wood door immediately. Durability is key. A burglar is very unlikely to be able to kick in a solid wood or metal door. A strong exterior door is a good investment, (they’re very durable!) so make sure all of your home’s doors are tough.
Criminals are often unpredictable, and it is hard to tell when your home could be a target for a burglar. Instead of hoping that it won’t happen to you, you must take the necessary steps in securing your home. Use what you’ve just read to secure your home.