Lots of people think securing a home involves a difficult, frustrating process, particularly in terms of hiring a team of professionals. But, it doesn’t have to be difficult. The article below will show you how its done.
Once you buy a house, switch out the locks. You don’t know the exact number of copies of that key the previous owners have or have handed out. Changing the locks will give you peace of mind that you and your family are the only ones who have access to your home. You should also do this if your keys ever get lost.
Beware giving keys to your maid unless the service has your absolute trust. If they need the keys and plan on being in there for more than an hour, try to ensure that they are honest, hardworking, and reputable. One way to do this is to check their references. If this professional is from a company, it’s best to check with the Better Business Bureau to see what kind of reputation they have.
Hide your spare key in a place where no one would think to look for it. Doormats and door frames are predictable places that burglars will always check. A possible solution is to attach a key to your outdoor dog’s collar.
Shut off phone ringers inside the home if you’re going to be gone for quite a while. This is because a phone that is ringing and ringing can tip of a burglar that nobody is currently home.
When summer comes around, eliminate all vegetation and dead wood from your yard. When summer heats up, such debris can catch fire. Keeping your plants and bushes trimmed will benefit your family’s safety as well as the appearance of your home.
If your house has a garage, keep the car there, not just your junk. This will keep it away from thieves and vandals. If you keep your car in the garage instead of in the driveway, it is harder for thieves to know whether you are at home or not.
When you choose an alarm system, pick one that offers protection that goes beyond the doors. Intruders can enter through your windows too. You want a security system that monitors all your windows and doors. This is just one more thing you can do to protect your home.
Change the locks on any new place you move into. Even though the previous tenant may have turned in their key, you never know if they have a copy. You can purchase the locks and install them yourself to ensure you’re the only person that has a key.
Security Company
If you allow a security company to come to your house, make sure they appear professional and can present identification. It is simple for a thief to pose as a representative of your home security company as a means of gaining access to your house. This is a danger to your belongings and your family. Act cautiously to avoid potential dangers.
When you hire a type of home security company, read the contract’s fine print before signing. There may be hidden costs to doing business with them, including early termination fees and surprising equipment costs. Avoid as many fees as you can by reading everything.
Landscape around your home with an eye to safety. Doors and windows should not be obstructed by trees, plants or shrubs. If they can be seen, potential burglars will not be able to use them as hiding places before breaking in. Keep this in mind as you design.
Keep your outdoor areas well lit. Burglars like using darkness to hide. Install some outside lights so you can see everything outside. This includes doorways and porches, the garage, and windows on ground floors which may invite intruders.
When you are away on vacation have a house sitter bring in your mail and any flyers and newspapers that accumulate in front of your house. Some burglars place fliers to see if they’ll be quickly removed. The more flyers pile up or the longer they are there, the more likely it is that the house is empty.
The best method of preventing a burglar from breaking into your garage is preventing people from seeing inside. Frosted windows will keep a burglar from being able to see inside. The material needed to do this can be found at home improvement stores. Also, don’t leave your door open for long periods of time when you work there.
These tips should help you create a safe environment for your family. There are quite a few options. You could put stronger locks on your doors, build a fence and/or purchase a weapon. It’s really up to you. Keep these things in mind when thinking about home security.
