Every homeowner needs to understand the basic principles of home security. While there is much to learn, it is vital you do so. The below article provides you with the best information on home security strategies so that you can keep your home safe.
If your home has a lot of valuable items inside, then you need to purchase a safe so that all of these items can be kept in a single location. This is essential, because you would never want valuable jewelry and other items to be seen by intruders. The safe should be kept hidden in a basement or attic.
Buy roofing, flooring and interior paneling that is flame resistant. This can provide additional safety to the home, particularly in dry regions. Investing in fire-resistant materials will help you save a lot since a fire can cause extensive damage.
Social networking sites are great for keeping in touch, but post information sparingly. For example, you might avoid broadcasting when you are going out of town, especially if your friends list contains casual acquaintances. It’s exciting going to new places and enjoying your time, but you could alert thieves to an empty home that they can easily break into.
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.
Avoid opening the door if you don’t know who is standing on the other side. You have no way of knowing if the stranger on the other side of the door wishes to do you harm. Keep a hard, fast rule that says you only open the door for invited guests in order to keep your family safe.
In the summer, remove all the dead trees from your yard. As it gets hotter, the chances of these igniting and putting your house at risk increase. Make sure your yard is clean for the sake of your safety – and that of your family!
Change your locks if someone you don’t trust moves out of your home. Changing the locks will ensure that you are the only one who knows the combination. This doesn’t usually cost much, and it can be accomplished in less than a day.
You should always lock up your house, even if you’re only planning to be gone for a short time. Surprisingly, lots of burglaries occur because the burglar was able to simply walk in without having to actually break in. A thief could steal all your valuables in only a few minutes.
Motion sensitive lights are an inexpensive way to increase your home’s security. In the evening, lights will help keep your home safe, and will add little in the way of extra expense. If placed strategically around the house, motion detectors can make it very tough for criminals to get to your property.
Keep safety at the forefront as you landscape. Make sure that there is nothing obstructing your doors and windows. If windows and doors can be easily seen from all areas, then burglars cannot hide as well, which will hinder their plans. Landscaped features should be set further away for safety, yet keeping beauty in mind.
Security Company
An important part of vetting any security company before you sign a contract with them is finding out how long they’ve been providing security services in your community. A reliable home security company is one that has a long history in the community and can offer references from satisfied customers. Knowing that you are dealing with a shady company can keep you calm when making this crucial decision.
Consider buying a paper shredder for your home. You would be surprised at how often thieves look through trash to find personal information to find out when you will be away from home so they can break in. If a shredder is too expensive, at least tear relevant paperwork into small bits.
Make sure your address numbers are clearly visible from across the street. The police will find it difficult to locate your home quickly if your address numbers are difficult to see. Just replace them if you need to.
If you live with children or others whom who don’t want entering some parts of the house, keys and lock sets aren’t the only option. Get key-less locks that need a code. Many home security companies will install these, and there are also do it yourself kits available.
Ask about the various contract lengths offered by a home security company. They probably each have their pluses and negatives. A long contract may lock you in even if you choose to sell the house or want to stop the services, but it can result in a lower bill every month. Shorter contracts likely allow you more flexibility with exiting the plan; however, you will probably have a larger monthly bill.
It will be well worth your time to learn about ways to make your home safer. It can be hard to tell what information is useful or not, though. Print off this article so you always have it handy.
