It is important that you never completely put your guard down. You should not take any risks; instead, invest in a quality system. Read on to find some excellent tips to make your home as safe as can be.
Don’t just hide your spare key anywhere. Intruders will more than likely check under your doormat or above your door frame. Rather, think about putting a key on your outside dog’s collar.
Don’t post information about an upcoming vacation anywhere on the web. There may be a thief within this list and you would have been inviting him straight through your front door!
Never allow a stranger to enter your home. While their story may seem legit, that doesn’t mean it is true. Some people will simply knock on your door to see whether or not there is a security system installed, and if there isn’t, they may target you later when you’re away.
You should never open your door to someone you do not know. Burglars are getting creative, and they will do anything they can to gain access to your home. Make sure everyone in your house knows not to open the door unless they know the person standing outside.
Security starts with new locks. Not everyone who leaves your house will leave happy, and a fresh set of locks will protect you from both former residents and acquaintances of your own looking to cause mischief. It’s generally cheap can can take less than a day to do.
Get creative and hide valuables inside your walls. It is unnecessary cut space into your wall. There’s plenty of places in a house with pre-cut areas that can be used. How about unwiring your electric socket and using that as an area to stash your jewelry?
Be sure your valuables are not visible from the outside of your house. It may be great to have large windows with a view, but this means that people can look in. If your house has street-facing windows, make sure they are always covered and your make sure your valuables are hidden away.
Once you’ve moved to a new house, make it a priority to replace all locks. Regardless of how you feel about the sellers, you never know someone’s true intentions. Keep in mind that other families might have lived with them, too.
After moving into a pre-owned apartment or home, change the locks. The person who used to live there may still have a key. You can change the locks yourself if you’re feeling really industrious.
Any time you let a stranger into your home that is doing some kind of work, it is best to ask for references. It wouldn’t hurt to also perform a background check. You need to be very careful with the contractors, repairmen or maids you trust with being alone in your home.
Before signing up for a particular home-security company, find out how long they’ve been around. Companies with a long history can give you the best service for many years. Knowing you are not dealing with a fly by night company gives you extra peace of mind when making this important decision.
If you haven’t bought a paper shredder yet, make it a point to do so. Thieves often find the trash cans to be a gold mine of pertinent information about potential victims. If a shredder is too expensive, at least tear relevant paperwork into small bits.
Hidden Cameras
Put up video surveillance. Having visible or hidden cameras can help immensely. Visible cameras can deter many intruders and if they disable them, the hidden cameras can still capture footage. Surveillance systems often allow you to access videos through your cell phone, too.
Never place empty boxes for expensive items out on the curb. When burglars see these boxes, they will know you have them inside your home, making it more likely for them to break in. Break down the box, and take it to the local recycling center.
Are the numbers of your home visible from the street? The police will find it difficult to locate your home quickly if your address numbers are difficult to see. Luckily, you can fix this quickly and cheaply if you see there’s a problem.
Spring Latch Locks
Don’t have spring latch locks installed. Spring latch locks are the easiest locks to gain entry with, as they can be opened with a simple credit card. Intruders simply wedge a credit card between the door and latch, triggering the lock to open. Put in a deadbolt for more security if your doors already contain spring latch locks.
Intruders are unpredictable, and it could be difficult to know when you are being targeted by a burglar. Take the necessary steps to keep your home safe instead of thinking you have it made. Start with these tips, and grow from there.
