How much do you know when it comes to home security systems? If you don’t know anything, you need to work on learning more. This is costly and can affect your family’s safety, so keep reading.
When looking to buy a security system, shop around. Prices for home security systems can vary and they do not all offer the same services. Try to get two or three quotes before making a decision.
Don’t use social media to announce that you will be gone for an extended period of time. Although it’s fun to talk about, posting it online makes it more possible for criminals to find out when you’re gone.
Skylights should be secure. Though skylights bring light into your home and look nice, it is also a very common way for burglars to get into your home. Having heavy duty, reliable hardware is best when it comes to skylights.
The walls of your home make for great hiding spots. If you need to protect expensive items in your home, put them inside the walls. You could use a phone jack, electrical outlet or a switch plate. If you have no unused plates, you can put in a fake one.
Don’t throw away boxes for expensive or valuable items until the garbage collection day. Empty boxes for expensive new gear serve as advertisements to potentials thieves; don’t make it easy for them to spot such tempting targets.
If you scheduled an appointment for a member of the security company to come to your house, ask them to show you some identification first. You would be surprised how many thieves will impersonate security representatives to get into your house. This means peril for what you own as well as your loved ones. Be careful to avoid any potential dangers.
Keep safety in mind when doing landscaping. Make sure that the doors and windows to your home are not covered by trees, fences, shrubs or any other type of thing. No one can easily break into a window which everyone can see. Utilize shrubs and trees farther away in order to add beauty to your home while keeping it safe.
You should find out how many years of experience your home security service has. Any business with multiple years of history has a proven record in being reliable. It will make you feel better knowing that the company you choose is not fly by night.
Invite a security company to come to your house and figure out a system that will work for you. Each situation is different. When you don’t want to compromise in any way on the safety and security of your home, a custom-built system is usually the way to go.
If you arrive home and you see that your door is ajar, never enter to investigate on your own. This is a delicate situation as the burglar might still be in your home. Call the authorities and let them take care of the situation.
If you’ve got guests that you don’t want in particular areas of the home, close the area off so it is not accessible. You can have key-less locks which require a code. Either you can install them or home security companies can.
Inquire about different choices for contract lengths available from the home security provider. There are usually pros and cons in each contract. You may pay less if you sign up for longer, but you might also get left with a contract if you have to sell your house. With a shorter contract, you will have a greater level of flexibility. The downside is you will also have larger monthly bills.
Don’t use spring-latch locks. This type of lock is extremely easy to break. Anyone with a credit card can do it. An intruder has only to press the card into the doorjamb between latch and the door and the lock will pop open. If your locks are spring latch, either replace them or put in a deadbolt to protect yourself.
When you aren’t home, be sure to close your blinds, curtains or shades. Intruders can look into your house if the blinds are up. If they notice something valuable, they’re more likely to invade your home. You should have the windows covered when you’re asleep.
Purchase a timer to put your lights on and off during the day. This helps the lights stay on and continue to switch even when you’re away from your home.
Do you feel better now that you’re more knowledgeable about home security? The more you know about it, the easier it will be to make a decision. Remember what you’ve read as you begin your home security plans.
