How much is home security worth to you? Do you think home security companies are too expensive? Are you always on the lookout for more affordable options? Well, now there are, and they’re right under your nose. Read on for home security tips, both big and small.
Create the illusion that your home is constantly occupied. You can purchase timers that can control your household electronics such as lights, TVs and radios. This will give the appearance that someone is at your house at all times. That means burglars will pass right by.
Is your dog outside when you are away? If so, the dog can be a terrific spot to keep a spare key. Find a place to securely fasten the key to your pet’s collar where it’s not visible. If you have a pet that does not trust strangers, this can help you get into your house if needed.
If you will be vacationing for an extended period of time, turn off the ringer on all the phones in your house. If your phone is ringing while you are out, burglars will realize that no one is home, making your home very vulnerable to an attack during your time away.
You need to secure your garage if it is attached to your home. Many people worry about burglars getting into their attached garage and then entering their home, but there is a fix. You can use a C-clamp to secure the door and prevent it from being opened by strangers.
Before doing anything else, install new locks in your home. Whether you have a roommate who is about to move out, or a relationship that has run its course, it is a good idea change your locks. This is a very easy process that you can complete within a day.
Always lock your house, no matter how briefly you expect to be gone. You may be surprised to know that many burglars simply turn the doorknob and walk right in. A burglar can steal a lot of expensive stuff in a short amount of time.
Whenever you move to a new dwelling, make certain to get each lock replaced. You have no way of knowing whether the previous homeowner is trustworthy. Keep in mind that other families might have lived with them, too.
The wires that are on your house are very valuable. The majority of people aren’t aware of this fact until a burglar steals these wires. It does not take much time to strip off the expensive copper wires from the exterior of your house. Be sure to hide your wires or make sure they are hard to get to.
Plug a rechargeable flashlight into an outlet in each room of your house in the event of power outage. Having these in an easy to find place will allow you to see in the dark much quicker. Show your children how to use them so everyone in the family is involved.
Whenever you sign with a home-security company, it is important that you thoroughly read the contract. Sometimes there are hidden costs involved if you decide to let your service go before the contract expires or add additional equipment at a later point. You should avoid such expenses if you can, so make yourself aware.
Keep your home’s exterior areas illuminated well. A burglar prefers to sneak around in the dark, and a well lit house is always a deterrent. Light up the dark spots around your home. Over doors, near windows and especially your back yard need to be lit.
If you get home and notice an open door, do not go in to see what has happened. This is dangerous since the thief may still be on your property. Instead, call 911 and report a possible break-in.
Purchase a paper shredder to prevent your discarded papers from providing burglars with valuable information. Thieves often look through garbage, trying to find credit card information or other important documents. If a paper shredder is not in your budget, consider tearing your documents into tiny pieces or even burning them.
Keep burglars on the outside of your garage by making sure nobody can actually see inside the garage. Add frosting to your window glass to keep folks from looking in the house. Do not leave doors open for lengthy periods while you are doing work.
Blinds, shades and curtains are best closed when no one is home. If the blinds are up, then the intruders can see directly through your home. If they spot something desirable, they will seek access. Keep them down when you’re asleep, too.
It all boils down to what is affordable. If you don’t have a large budget, there are inexpensive methods you can try. This article had many tips that you can use to boost home security. This could be your best bet and the most affordable solution.