Don’t be one of those homeowners who neglect the security of their home. A little bit of self-education in the field of home security can go a long way towards making your home safer and yourself a more responsible homeowner. Continue reading to learn how to develop a strong security strategy.
Place the spare key that you make on your dog. In order to make this work, your dog either needs to stay outside or have access to a pet door. Keep a spare key around the dog’s collar.
Home security systems do more than sounding an alarm in case of a break in. They often even alert you to any time a door is opened. This is important to parents who have small children, because they will want to know if the children have opened a door.
Buy fire-resistant building materials. This will make your home more safe, especially if you are in a dry climate that has many power lines. You can enhance home safety with excellent fire precautions.
Do not invite strangers into your home. While their story may seem legit, that doesn’t mean it is true. Some people may simply be trying to determine whether or not you have a home security installed; if you don’t, they may plan to return later if you are away from your home.
See if your area police department has any home security programs. The police can offer you some great advice, help you engrave valuables and even come check out your home. A quick call to the non-emergency number at the police station in your town will tell you all you need to know.
Skylights should be secure. While they are an excellent source of natural light, they are also an easy way for thieves to enter your home. Make sure your skylights have reliable, heavy duty hardware in place.
Hide Valuables
Get creative and hide valuables inside your walls. It’s not necessary to cut out parts of your wall to do this. Your home should have a few pre-cut areas that can be used. If you have an electric socket you do not use, hide valuables behind their covers.
Your valuables should not be easily seen from outside your home. Although large windows in your home can provide your home with a lot of light, they can also provide burglars with an excellent view of the inside of your home. If you’ve got street facing windows, be sure and keep them covered.
Even if you only plan to be gone for a very short time, lock your house. It might shock you to learn that most break-ins occur due to unlocked doors. A thief can steal your most valuable possessions in a short amount of time.
Just moved in? Time for new locks! Even if the previous owner or tenant seems trustworthy, you have no way of knowing how many copies of the key they made and distributed. Keep in mind that other families might have lived with them, too.
Change the locks on any new place you move into. The person who used to live there may still have a key. You might even purchase and install your own locks so that you are assured of having the only keys.
You want to know what is included in a contract if you’re signing up with a security company. They sometimes have hidden costs if you let go of them prior to the contract expiring. Avoid as many fees as you can by reading everything.
Discourage burglars by making your garage windows opaque. Use frosted, adhesive backed plastic to cover the windows. You can purchase this at a home improvement store. Make a habit of keep your door closed and locked.
A dog is an excellent burglar alarm. Dogs will bark at the sign of trouble or intruders. Your dog doesn’t have to be a big, burly attack dog. Even tiny dogs that make a ton of noise will deter a potential crime.
When checking out security companies, ask whether they allow you to choose between buying or leasing the system. It might cost more at first when buying the equipment, but you don’t have the extra cost each month. While leasing might be less expensive, it also comes with high monthly fees and contracts. Check out both options and determine which is best for you.
The security of your home is extremely important, but many people are lacking information about it. This topic needs to be the number one priority for all who want to keep their family safe and protected. The above article has hopefully given you a start to learning about home security.
