It is critical that each homeowner educates himself on proper home security. While there is much to learn, it is vital you do so. The following piece will give you tips to help you make your home safer.
Your dog can safeguard an extra key. This is a great idea if your dog is outside all the time, or they can get out through a doggy door. Place a spare key on the collar, and when you really need a spare, you know where to go!
After getting a new home, make sure to change its locks. You cannot be sure of the number of key copies that the former owner gave out. Hire a locksmith so that you can be sure you are the only person who can access your home. In addition, replace your locks if your keys ever get lost.
Don’t give your keys to a house cleaner unless you totally trust them. If you plan on giving them the key so that they can work in your home for over an hour, make sure that they’re reputable, hardworking, and honest. Check their references very carefully. If the cleaner is from a firm, try calling the local BBB to find out about the firm’s reputation.
Does your dog stay outside while you are gone? If so, you can use your dog to hide your spare key. Hook your key to the dog’s collar in a place that is shielded from view. If your dog does not like strangers, this can help ensure consistent access to the house.
Get a good safe to store your valuables in your home. This is important, since you don’t want your valuables exposed to a potential intruder. Conceal the safe in an out-of-the-way and not easily accessible spot, such as an attic or a basement area.
Before agreeing to work with a security company, check with your friends and family for recommendations. Your friends have gone through both bad and good experiences and they will be able to share them with you. Make sure to ask neighbors for advice too.
Home protection program details may be available at your police station. Home inspections or engraving identifiers can help protect you. Get in touch with the department to determine their offerings.
Use your garage for your car, not just storage. Having the car in the garage will prevent it from getting broken into or stolen. Besides, intruders will have a hard time determining whether or not you are home if you keep your car inside your garage.
It doesn’t matter how much money you spent, you should have an annual test. Ask someone who works at the security company to do a maintenance check. There are any number of problems that can cause malfunctions in your security system, from weather damage to animal activity. The problem might not be obvious to you, though.
Changing your locks first can help make your home much more secure. If you have boarders, former live-in partners, or others who once had access to your home, this is especially important. It is generally cheap and may be done in a little under a day.
Do not hide your spare key under your doormat or in a nearby planter. While it can help you if you’re locked out, you could be letting intruders inside your home. Burglars are well aware of such hiding places. Rather, give the key to a neighbor to hold.
When you purchase big, expensive items be sure to break down the boxes and take them to the recycling center yourself. You are alerting thieves that there is something worth stealing inside your home.
Change all of the locks in your new residence. Regardless of how trustworthy you consider the last owners to be, neither you nor they can be sure that there aren’t others out there with keys to those locks. People may have lived in the home before those owners, too.
Anytime a security installer comes to the house, make sure they display proper identification. Posing as a security professional is an excellent way for an experienced thief to get inside your house and plan a less-friendly return visit. This represents a danger to your possessions and your family. Act cautiously in order to stay away from potential dangers.
Every homeowner needs to learn everything they can with regards to home security. But there are so much information about home security that may not suit your situation. When you do come across security info you find helpful, (hopefully, including the article you’ve just read) it’s a good idea to hang onto it for future reference.
