Every homeowner must maximize efforts to secure his home. Alarm systems are not the only way to keep your home safe and secure. The following article will give you some great ideas to help you secure your home and everything inside of it.
Make your home look occupied at all times. You can purchase timers that can control your household electronics such as lights, TVs and radios. This will give your home the appearance of someone being there. This is great for keeping a home safer from burglaries.
Providing a key to the person cleaning your home can be acceptable, but you must be sure they are honest and worthy of your confidence. Make sure you know they are legitimate before giving out the key. Make sure you check references. If applicable, call the BBB to inquire about their reputation.
It’s important to comparison shop for alarm systems. Each company has different rates for their security system. Get quotes from no less than three companies before choosing the best one.
If you want to have a spare key close to your house in order to prevent lockouts, make sure you give its hiding place some careful thought. Under the doormat or above the door frame are all too common spaces that will be checked first by potential intruders. Hide your alternative key on your dog’s collar.
If you will be vacationing for an extended period of time, turn off the ringer on all the phones in your house. Intruders might be attracted by a phone that rings constantly without anyone picking up.
Use motion sensors on exterior lighting. These lights will come on if someone walks near your home. They help notify you of any movement around your house and deter burglars too. Make sure you keep fresh light bulbs in your motion activated lights so that they will work correctly.
Go with your gut when you invite a home security company representative into your house. This is particularly true if you’re uneasy with those that install your actual system. You don’t want to refrain from choosing a different company or technician. Ultimately, the whole point is for you to have peace of mind.
Walls are a good place to hide things. Jewelry and other small items can be protected very well when placed in hiding places in your walls. Just use an unwired electric plug, light switch or phone box. A security store will sell fake plates you can install anywhere.
Don’t put your extra key under you doormat, in a planter, or in a cleverly disguised false rock. These seem like great places for you when you misplace your key. Thieves are familiar with these hiding spots. Rather, give your spare key to a neighbor or friend that you trust.
The alarm system you choose should protect more than just the doors to your home. The best systems are those that cover windows as well. Attach an alarm to every one of them, and make sure all entry points are monitored. They are the most effective.
Safety should be kept in mind when you are planning your landscape. Windows should be free from obstructions like trees, shrubs and fencing. Keeping these features free of vegetation robs would-be burglars of concealment and hiding places. Have your landscape several feet away from your house for better safety.
Talk to any companies you’re considering hiring to install a security system about how long the company has been around. Look for a security company that is well-established and has extensive experience in the industry. You should not trust a company that does not have a good record with your local Better Business Bureau or few years of experience.
If you don’t own a paper shredder already, you might want to get one. Thieves may look through your garbage for information. If you can’t get a paper shredder, try ripping papers into smaller pieces.
Make sure a surveillance system is part of your home security system. Both hidden and visible security cameras are effective in protecting your home. Visible cameras can scare intruders, and hidden ones can catch them in the act. You can often view these feeds over the Internet, too.
Make sure the inside of your garage isn’t visible. If your garage door has windows, make sure they have a frosted coating. This is easy to find at any major hardware store, and installation is a breeze. Also, don’t leave your door open for long periods of time when you work there.
Having read the information presented here, you are ready to make your home safe and secure. Perhaps this seems to be very complicated and troublesome; however, you must proceed to secure your home and provide safety for your family. You can do this by applying what you’ve learned here.
