You may know someone personally that has had their home broken into. Home invasions are not uncommon, and it’s important to take certain precautions. Break-ins can happen anywhere. This article discusses strategies for increasing your home’s security.
Always take time to compare and research before investing in an expensive security system for your home. Each company has different rates for their security system. Before choosing which company to go with, ask for quotes from a minimum of three companies.
It is important to invest in building supplies that are as fire resistant as possible. This adds an extra layer of protection to your home, especially if you live in a very dry area with power lines. It’s best to prevent a fire before it starts.
It doesn’t matter how much money you spent, you should have an annual test. The security company should have a specialist come to look at it. There are many things that can reduce the quality of your system. You might not even discover these problems if they aren’t easily sighted.
Be bold. Talk to your neighbors. You’ll find that friendly neighbors make for a powerful support network. Keep an eye on their properties and they’ll respond in kind. Don’t disregard gossip either. You never know what sort of security issues you might become privy to.
Before doing anything else, install new locks in your home. Has a roommate or ex-lover moved out recently? If so, then you need to change out the locks in order to keep you and your home safe. Changing the locks can typically be done very cheaply and quickly.
It is not a good idea to hide a spare key on your property. While it can help you if you’re locked out, you could be letting intruders inside your home. Thieves are familiar with these hiding spots. Rather, give your key to a neighbor you find trustworthy.
Keep valuables out of sight of windows. Large windows allow you to keep an eye on who is approaching your home, but keep in mind that potential intruders will be tempted if they can see your valuables. You should cover any windows that are facing the street so your valuables will be safe.
Always lock your home, regardless of how short your trip out is. It may be a little surprising, but most burglaries and break-ins happen because the intruder just walks right through an open door. Once a thief is inside, he can steal a lot of valuables in a short amount of time.
Entry Points
The alarm system you choose should protect more than just the doors to your home. Your windows are easy entry points for crooks too. You want to be sure that the alarm is connected to all windows and entry points. This will help to keep your family safe.
If you bought any expensive or large items, don’t throw the boxes out until the day trash is scheduled to be removed. Having these boxes nearby can tell robbers what kind of merchandise you’ve got in your house.
Replace all locks in a new house. You don’t really know the people you purchased the house from or all the folks they shared keys with, so don’t place too much trust in the old locks. Many other people could have keys to the property, and you probably don’t want them to all have access to your home.
Use the Internet to find a reliable home security company. Review different websites and review comments from previous customers. Once you have selected a few potential home security providers, set appointments to interview them and find out what they have on offer.
If you don’t own a paper shredder already, you might want to get one. Unshredded documents can offer up a wealth of valuable personal information to thieves, including enough of your schedule to allow them to pinpoint the best time for a burglary. Rip paper into tiny pieces if you can’t afford to purchase a paper shredder.
Ask about the different contract durations that a security company can offer you. There are going to be ups and downs for each one. A contract that is longer might offer lower monthly payments, but you may have to continue with these if you decide to sell the house or discontinue services. While the monthly rates may be higher for a short-term contract, this option is more flexible.
Don’t believe that only big expensive houses are susceptible to burglary. Any home that looks easy to break in is a target. By using these tips, you can keep your home protected from thieves.
