There’s a big market for home security. No matter where you live, you probably have a concern in the back of your head about people breaking in. However, you can reduce the risks of burglary by improving the security of your home. To keep your home safe, read the tips in the following article and apply them.
When you buy a new house, be sure the locks are changed. You cannot be sure of the number of key copies that the former owner gave out. Call a locksmith to make sure you’re the only one with access to your home. Give a key to someone you trust in case you get locked out.
Keep your jewelry, vital documents and other expensive items in a safe. This is very important, as you do not want your gold, diamonds and personal items exposed if someone were to break into your house. Hide that safe in a difficult-to-reach place like in a closet inside your basement or an attic.
Don’t post information about an upcoming vacation anywhere on the web. It’s natural to be excited about your trip, but this is as good as throwing out the welcome mat for people who know your home is unoccupied.
Before leaving for vacation, turn off the ringers in your house. If the phone rings when you are away, burglars will know there’s nobody home, making the house vulnerable to a break-in when you are out.
Never open up your door to a stranger. You have no way of knowing if the stranger on the other side of the door wishes to do you harm. Enforce a rule within your house that no one opens the door to unexpected people.
Use your garage for what it was intended: your car. Keeping the car in the garage can keep thieves from vandalizing or stealing it. This will also make it more difficult for burglars to track when you away from home.
It is important that you check your home security system periodically, at least once a year. Call the company and have them send someone to check it out. There are quite a few things that can negatively impact the effectiveness of home security equipment. For example, adverse weather conditions or pests such as raccoons can cause problems. Sometimes it is very difficult to see the problem if you don’t know where it is.
If you do not reside in a big city, you may not worry as much about home burglaries. Some people think that the people out in the country without neighbors are actually at a much greater risk. Not everyone believes this, though.
If you bought any big or expensive things, wait until trash day to throw away the boxes. These types of items are appealing to thieves, and you may as well put a sign in your yard inviting them to steal yours.
Rotting Wood
If there is any rotted wood around your door frame, replace it. Rotting wood is easy to remove and take apart if someone is trying to get in. Always replace rotting wood with fresh wood immediately to keep your house strong and secure.
If your home isn’t new, replace the locks. Even though the previous tenant may have turned in their key, you never know if they have a copy. This will help safeguard that there is no one else with your key.
When about to sign a contract with any home security firm, read all the small print. They sometimes have hidden costs if you let go of them prior to the contract expiring. It’s best to know about these fees in advance so that you can avoid them when possible.
Determine how much experience a home security company has before you decide to do business with them. Companies with a long history can give you the best service for many years. Whenever you know you aren’t doing business with a fly-by-night company, you will be more assured your home is protected.
If you get home and your door is open, do not enter ti investigate. You have no way of knowing whether the thieves are still inside. Instead, call 911 and report a possible break-in.
Safety starts with home security. Crime may strike when you’re off-guard. You should apply the tips you just read to protect your home. Wait no longer. Act on matters of home security while you still can.