Every homeowner ought to know how to keep both their home and family secure. Burglaries are becoming more and more common, and there are other things to be concerned about as well, such as a flood or a fire. The following article has some great information to help keep your home safe and secure.
Don’t ever let it be apparent that there is no one at home. Have electronics and lights with timers and set them to go off at various times. This way, your house will always look occupied. This is just one of the many precautions you can take to secure your home.
Have your dog protect the spare key. This works with a dog that stays outside or a dog with a pet door. Put a key on the dog’s collar so you have access to it when necessary!
The only time you should give out house keys to house cleaners is if you absolutely trust them. You need to ensure that they are honest and reputable according to references before you have handed over the key. Make sure you check references. If they work through a larger firm, you can check up on the company with your local Better Business Bureau.
Home security systems are able to do more than just sounding the alarm whenever you have an intruder. They can be programmed to alert the homeowner if a person enters the home. This is great for parents that have small children so that they know when their kids open or close doors.
When placing your spare key outside for emergencies, give careful consideration to where you put it. Above a door frame or under a mat are not smart ideas. Try to find somewhere less obvious.
Turn off your phone’s ringer when you go on vacation. If a burglar keeps hearing your phone ring, they’ll know the home is not occupied, making it more likely for a break-in to occur.
Do not invite strangers into your home. Be wary of those who come to your door selling products, asking for help, or telling sob stories. This is the first rule of keeping your home secure.
Do not be reluctant to meet your neighbors. Talk to the people who live in your neighborhood. Keep watch of their homes when they are away, and ask if they will return the favor. You shouldn’t neglect gossip. You might actually learn a thing or two concerning people that have been hanging around.
When dealing with companies that install home security systems, it’s important to trust your gut. If the installers give you the heebie-jeebies, it’s not a good sign. Ask for someone else to come out or switch companies. Ultimately, the whole point is for you to have peace of mind.
Get creative and hide valuables inside your walls. No need to damage your walls. You can find pre-cut areas in your walls that can be used. For example, place jewelry in an unused electrical outlet.
Ensure that valuables are stored in a hidden area that isn’t visible from outside your home. Open curtains allow people to see inside your home and see exactly what you have. You always want to make sure you keep your valuables covered if they are by a window.
Moving into an apartment or home that you’ve lived in should involve changing the locks first to maker them safer. The person who used to live there may still have a key. You can even buy and install the locks yourself so you know that you are the only one with a key.
Security Company
If you allow a security company to come to your house, make sure they appear professional and can present identification. Intruders can easy pass themselves off as an employee of a security company just to get inside your house. This can put your family and possessions in danger. Trust your gut and if something does not feel right, it is okay to go with your feelings.
One of the best things you can do to protect your home at night is to deter intruders with plenty of exterior lighting. They do not want to be seen. If your house is well-lit, criminals will be hard pressed to be able to go undetected. Keep your lights turned on during the night.
Because of all the threats to a home, every homeowner should take steps in protecting it as much as possible. This article is full of excellent ideas on how to protect your home from virtually any threat. Use the above tips to make your home more secure.
