Home security is very much misunderstood. The best way to know how to truly protect your home and its contents is to study the subject as comprehensively as you can. Keep reading for some great tips.
Once you buy a house, switch out the locks. The person who previously owned the home may have made copies of keys. Call a locksmith as soon as you can for maximum security. Do the same thing if you misplace your keys.
Never allow a stranger to enter your home. Even if they tell you a sob story about needing help, this warning remains true. These people might want to actually do you harm or could be casing out your house for a future break-in.
Don’t open your door when strangers are knocking. People often think of ways to trick others into letting them in so they can steal from them. You should make sure you only open the door to your home for people that you know and are expecting.
Do not be reluctant to meet your neighbors. Get to know other people who live next door and others in your neighborhood. By knowing the people in your neighborhood, you can rest a little easier knowing that people are looking out for each other. Pay attention to gossip as well. You may end up hearing about things such as odd folks roaming about the neighborhood.
Trust your instincts when it comes to hiring a home security company. If you are hesitant about the company, your gut feeling is especially important. Never hesitate to has for a new technician or even go with a different company altogether. You want the system to make you feel like you’re more comfortable.
Rural Areas
People in rural areas are not usually as worried about burglaries as people in cities. People who live in the country may even be more vulnerable because they do not have nearby neighbors. Other people believe rural areas are less likely to be targeted by burglars.
You need flashlights and plenty of batteries in each room just in case your power ever goes out. Flashlights are important for letting you navigate your home in the dark. Make sure your whole family knows where to find them and how to operate them.
Don’t let any service people into your home without checking their references completely. For a relatively small fee, you can also run a background check for their criminal history. It is impossible to know if the newly hired maid or one time repairman might be a crook unless you check them out. Providing them with your key might be the biggest mistake you’ve ever made.
If you’re going to hire a company that provides home security, read everything in the contract before you sign it. Sometimes there are hidden costs involved if you decide to let your service go before the contract expires or add additional equipment at a later point. You’ll want to avoid any surprises so be sure and read your contract carefully.
You want the security company to actually come to your house and install the system according to your needs. Everyone has different needs, and your security system should be designed to protect your home and family. If you’ve found a company that can tailor a system to you, you can receive the greatest amount of security to make you feel much more comfortable.
A dog is an excellent burglar alarm. They are protective of their home and owner and will alert you if someone is on your property. A big, vicious guard dog isn’t necessary. Even tiny dogs that make a ton of noise will deter a potential crime.
You do not want to use spring latch locks. These locks can easily be picked within a couple of minutes. Intruders simply use a credit card inside the latch, making the lock open. A deadbolt should be added for security purposes if you have locks that are spring latch.
You need to take your car registration documents out of your car. Anyone having access to this information can see where you live. Instead, keep the registration in your wallet or a lock box in the trunk. You still need to have them close in case you are pulled over.
Do not hide your key in obvious places. Fake rocks are very easy to spot. Under your doormat is also a common place burglars will look. The most secure thing you can do is to entrust your key to a reliable neighbor or a friend you can count on. Otherwise, you should be more creative when it comes to hiding your key.
It goes without saying that home security is a very important topic for everyone. But, many people are unaware of what it takes to protect their home and what is inside of it. Consider the information that has been given to you as a resource for making sure your home is safe.
