Not many people fully understand the concept of home security. Learning as much as you can about home security can help you be proactive and not become a victim. Keep reading to learn some valuable pointers on securing your home.
Comparison shop when you are ready to buy a home security system. Prices can be very different from one product to another. Before choosing which company to go with, ask for quotes from a minimum of three companies.
Don’t allow anyone you don’t know to look into your house. Even if someone has a good story, requires help or has a great product to sell, ignore them. Some criminals will use any reason to gain access to look for security systems and easy entryways into your house.
Check with your local law enforcement agency about home protection plans. Your local police department will help you with preventive measures, inspect your home and show you how to mark your valuables so they can easily be found. Get in touch with the department to determine their offerings.
Regardless of the quality of your home security system, you need to check it annually. A security professional should visit to help with the testing process. Mother nature can sneak in and cause many problems. Sometimes, you may need a professional to locate the problem.
When choosing a home security firm, trust your instincts. If you don’t feel comfortable with the technician, don’t allow them access to your home. Ask for someone else to come out or switch companies. Ultimately, the whole point is for you to have peace of mind.
Get creative and hide valuables inside your walls. It is unnecessary cut space into your wall. Many spots are already cut that can be used for this purpose. How about unwiring your electric socket and using that as an area to stash your jewelry?
Never place a spare key in a plant box or under your welcome mat. These seem like great places for you when you misplace your key. Thieves know about all these hiding spots. A better solution is to give your key to a neighbor you trust.
Lock up your house every time you leave. It may be shocking, but many home invasions and burglaries occur by intruders walking through the front door that was left open. It does not take long for thieves to steal your expensive stuff.
While choosing your alarm system, ask about protection for windows and motion detection as well as doors. Each window represents a possible entry for your thief. Every single entry point needs to have monitoring on it. This is the pinnacle of safety.
Alter the locks and the keys when you change homes. Even though the previous tenant may have turned in their key, you never know if they have a copy. You can do your own installation to make sure that no one else has a key.
Check references before giving anyone access to your home. A background check is also recommended so you know if they have a criminal history. Someone can seem nice and professional on the outside, but they may not be so nice on the inside.
Motion sensitive lights are an inexpensive way to increase your home’s security. Cost-effective and aesthetically pleasing, these lights really add value to your home. Whenever you properly position these lights, they will make it almost impossible for burglars to sneak in.
Keep lights on at all times if you want to prevent break-ins from happening. They don’t want visibility. When you have a well-lit home, crooks won’t be able to hide and it will be hard for them to break in undetected. Secure your property by creating a well-lit area.
Get a paper shredder. Thieves might go through your trash bags to find bills for valuables or personal information. You can tear your documents up by hand before disposing of them if a shredder is out of your price range.
Install a surveillance system in your home. Installing hidden and visible video cameras are great for securing your house. Visible cameras are a deterrent to most intruders, and should they decide to disable them, a hidden camera will continue to capture footage. There are surveillance systems that you can access and check by cell phone.
If you purchase a new, pricey electronic like a TV or computer, don’t leave the empty box near your curb. Don’t advertise that you have expensive new equipment! Break down the box, and take it to the local recycling center.
A dog is a great alarm system. Dogs naturally protect their homes and they make lots of noise when things go wrong. You do not need a large, vicious guard dog. Little dogs can also make big noise, which is the main thing that burglars care about.
Many homeowners understand the importance of home security. Not all people understand how to truly protect their homes and personal property. Consider the information that has been given to you as a resource for making sure your home is safe.