It is likely you know of someone who has been the victim of a burglary at some point. This crime is becoming more common, so you need to be vigilant. No one is immune to robbery; every home is a potential target. Here are some ways to help you keep your home secure and safe.
Be sure your home always looks occupied. Put timers on the TV, lights and radios. This will make it look like someone is home. This will help to deter burglars.
If you like to have a key hidden in case you lose yours, place it in a safe place. Never put a spare key under a doormat or above a door jam. Try hiding the key in your outside dog’s collar.
Have lights that sense motion. These lights turn on if someone walks closely to your house. This will discourage would be thieves and alert you to any movement on your property. Just remember that you must change the bulbs often in order to keep the lights working in order.
Meet with representatives from the security company you are considering to determine if they are trustworthy. Don’t hire anyone who makes you uncomfortable. Never hesitate to has for a new technician or even go with a different company altogether. Remember, the new security apparatus is meant to make you feel safe and secure.
Always lock your house, no matter how briefly you expect to be gone. It may be shocking, but many home invasions and burglaries occur by intruders walking through the front door that was left open. Thieves can steal a lot of valuable stuff in mere minutes.
Keep your home security system’s wires under cover. Intruders can get around security systems and into a home by cutting the wires. Do not make entry into your home easy. Make sure the wires are not exposed either inside or outside your home. Your system will be far more effective this way.
If you move to a place that was occupied before, you should change the locks right away. The previous owners or tenants might have made some copies of the key. If you own, you can have the locks replaced and only you will have had the key.
You can keep intruders away by always having your house lit up. That’s because they want to remain hidden. By minimizing dark and shady areas, you are taking away a potential burglar’s hiding spots. This makes it a good idea to keep the lights on.
Be sure your home is well lit on the outside. Thieves like to commit crimes when no one can see. Motion sensor lights can work great because they can also alert you when someone does come onto the property. This can include garages, doorways, porches, and even near any windows on the ground floor.
If you come home and see your door ajar, never investigate it alone. This can be dangerous since the intruder might still be on the property. It is best to call the police right away and go to a safe place until the police check your home.
If you don’t own a paper shredder, get one. Thieves often dig through garbage to obtain personal data that will help them enter the house. Rip important documents in small pieces before throwing them away if you do not have a paper shredder.
It’s a good idea to install a surveillance system in your home. Both hidden and visible security cameras are effective in protecting your home. Visible cameras deter the majority of intruders, and if they try to disarm them, a camera that is hidden will keep capturing footage. A lot of surveillance systems are accessible using your cell phone, so you can monitor your home while you are out of town.
If you have kids or roommates that you don’t want in certain household areas, it’s not necessary to lock multiple doors and tote around tons of keys. Get key-less locks that need a code. You can install them yourself, or you can have a home security service install them.
Keep curtains closed when you aren’t at home. By failing to do so, you are granting a prime view of your house and your belongings. They might see something worth breaking in to get. You should keep them closed while you are asleep.
Don’t believe that only big expensive houses are susceptible to burglary. Thieves can target homes that look easy to enter. You can take the proper steps now to make sure you and your family feel safe and protected within your home.
