The safety of your home and family is of utmost importance. Burglaries are a common occurrence in homes. In addition, there are other issues that homeowners must deal with, including fire, flood, carbon monoxide, etc. This article will show you a few ways to keep yourself safe.
Change the locks after buying a new house. You cannot be sure of the number of key copies that the former owner gave out. Find a good locksmith who can replace the lock and make a few copies of your key. Make sure you do the same thing if you lose your keys sometime.
Do not give the key to your home to your cleaning person unless you are certain they are worthy of your trust. Be sure to check out the background of any housekeeper you plan to provide with a key to your home. Go over their references and do some background research on the company they work for. If they work through a larger firm, you can check up on the company with your local Better Business Bureau.
Do you have an outside dog? He or she is actually a great place to store your spare key. Attach the key to the dog’s collar so that it is hidden from view. Your dog is an especially good key hiding spot if he doesn’t react well to strangers, since they won’t approach him, but the key will be there if you need it.
Spare Key
Think very carefully about where to hide your spare key. Never put a spare key under a doormat or above a door jam. Think outside the box and put the key someplace unusual, like hidden in your dog’s collar.
Be sure your roof, floors, and ceiling are fire resistant. Having your home built with fire resistant materials will help safeguard your home in case it catches fire. You can enhance home safety with excellent fire precautions.
Ask friend for any advice they have prior to purchasing a security system or service. Others have likely had both good and bad experiences that they can share with you that can then save you a lot of stress and time. Spending a few days asking for reviews is useful in helping you choose correctly.
Check with your local law enforcement agency about home protection plans. Many police departments will offer expert advice, arrange inspections, sponsor neighborhood watches, and help you mark and register your valuables. If your police department does not offer these programs, find a private security company.
If you own a garage, be sure to use it to place your car, as opposed to using it as a storage. Keeping your car secured will prevent people from vandalizing it. Hiding the car from plain sight can keep possible intruders from figuring out when you’re home and also when you are not.
Do not place your spare keys under your mat or even in plant boxes. While you may feel that you are keeping yourself safe by allowing a way in for yourself, you are also allowing everyone else to visit whenever they want. Burglars are familiar with these hiding spots. A better solution is to give your key to a neighbor you trust.
Purchase an alarm system that has a few “bells and whistles;” you don’t just need protection for your doors. Windows offer easy access to a potential thief. Make sure the alarm is attached to all of them, and that monitoring is offered for all possible entry points. This is vital to keeping your family safe.
Think about safety when designing your home. You should have a clear view out of all your windows and an unobstructed path to any doors. If they can be seen, people will not hide there and attempt a break-in. Keeping the areas around your windows free of plants can help to deter criminals from lurking too close to your home, without you noticing.
Consider all of your individual security needs before looking into any alarm systems. While these systems could be good for protecting your family, they aren’t for everyone. You could, for instance, invest in an alarm system, some outside lights, adopt a dog or take some self-defense classes. Think about your risk factor when making a decision.
Because of all the threats to a home, every homeowner should take steps in protecting it as much as possible. This article has great ideas that will keep your home safe from almost any threat. Use the ideas you’ve read to help you make your home much safer.
