When it comes to keeping your home secure, understanding your options is key. You should take this decision lightly. It is important to review your options and do what you can to protect your family.
Your dog can keep your spare house key for you. Of course, your dog has to be an outdoor dog (or you at least need to have a doggy door) for this to work. Keep a spare key around the dog’s collar.
After getting a new home, make sure to change its locks. Many people may have been given keys by the former owner. Get a locksmith in right away. Do the same thing if you happen to misplace a key.
Buy a safe to contain everything of great value. This will keep your stash of diamonds, gold and other valuable items out of view and inaccessible to burglars. Hide your safe in a hard to find place like the basement or attic.
Don’t just hide your spare key anywhere. Hiding it beneath the doormat is very common and most intruders will look there. Try hiding your key on a lawn statue or in a potted plant.
Talk to people you know for referrals when choosing home security systems. There are likely people you know that have had either good or bad experiences with these companies. Ask around to get lots of advice for making a better choice.
If you will be vacationing for an extended period of time, turn off the ringer on all the phones in your house. A phone which rings forever is a sign to burglars that you’re not there.
Never open the door for a stranger. You never know who they might be, despite their story. Make it a rule in your home that you only open your door to people who you were expecting.
Go with your gut when choosing a home security company to install a system. You are giving someone unlimited access to your home, so be sure the installer doesn’t give you a bad vibe. Make sure that the installer has experience installing your type of security system. The point of that system is to feel safer after all.
Even if you only plan to be gone for a very short time, lock your house. Break-ins are often the result of unlocked windows and doors. It doesn’t take long for a thief to steal thousands of dollars worth of stuff.
If you purchase big-ticket items, don’t throw their boxes in the trash before trash day. Having these boxes around will let thieves know the type of items that are inside your home.
For maximum safety, your home needs bright exterior lighting. Burglars prefer the cover that night provides their criminal activities. Install lights in areas that possible criminals can use to enter your home. All doors, porches, garages and windows should be well lit.
What do you need to personally feel safe? Some systems aren’t necessary for some, while others may have a need for them. You could, for instance, invest in an alarm system, some outside lights, adopt a dog or take some self-defense classes. Understand completely the risks and rewards in order to make an informed purchase decision.
Use a wireless security system. Systems that are wired can be a little cheaper, but may need significant reworking of your home’s electrical wiring and can fail in a power outage. Wireless systems are much easier to install, and they can work independently of your home’s power.
Break down the boxes from your new TV or computer rather than leaving them on the side of the road. Burglars can see these and they know that you have them in your home, increasing your chances of a break-in. Remember to cut up the boxes when they’re emptied.
Man’s best friend can be one of the most effective anti-burglary systems. Dogs protect your home by barking if something is wrong. You don’t even need a huge, vicious dog. Even tinier canines can ward off intruders with enough noise.
Spring Latch Locks
Don’t get spring latch locks. Just one credit card can get a burglar access to your home. This is achieved by sliding the card into the space between the latch and the door. This causes the lock to click open. If you have already installed spring latch locks, consider adding a deadbolt for even more security.
Make sure that your valuables are kept in a secure location. Items like family photos, passports, legal documents and expensive jewelry should be kept in a safe place. Keeping such valuables under lock and key (in a floor safe, for example) is a good way to provide the extra protection they need. Or, a better idea, is to place them in a deposit box outside of your home.
This article has shown you the light. It’s not necessary to dive into the world of home security without knowledge. You want to make your family’s safety your priority. Be sure and remember what you have learned here.
