Homeowners feel as though it is tough to make their home a safe place. You do not have to make it an expensive endeavor. Keep reading for some cost-effective methods for securing your home.
Spare Key
Your dog could carry a spare key for you. This only makes sense if your dog is outdoors a lot or you have a pet door. Latch the key on his collar and voila–you have a spare key available!
You should always change the locks after purchasing a home. You don’t know how many keys have been handed out previously. Call a locksmith as soon as you can for maximum security. You should also do this if your keys ever get lost.
Buy a safe to contain everything of great value. This is vital if you don’t want diamonds, gold or other personal items exposed to a home intruder. This safe should be hidden in a location where burglars won’t find it, such as a hole in the wall, the attic, or a basement closet.
The materials of your home should be fire resistant. This will help you protect your home under all circumstances. Because of the amount of damage fires can cause, it is important to protect your home from them.
In the summertime, you should rid your yard of dead bushes and vegetation. These are vulnerable to fires and put your home in danger. Keep these cleared away regularly to maintain your home’s safety and to keep it in good shape.
Annual check-ups are important for alarm systems. Ask someone from your security company to come over and have a look. There are quite a few things that can negatively impact the effectiveness of home security equipment. For example, adverse weather conditions or pests such as raccoons can cause problems. Sometimes it is very difficult to see the problem if you don’t know where it is.
Don’t put extra keys under doormats or in planters. You might think that you are providing yourself a safe way into the house if you misplace your keys, but you are really inviting attackers inside. Thieves know about all these hiding spots. A better option is to entrust an honest neighbor with a spare key.
Be sure your valuables are not visible from the outside of your house. Large windows let in a lot of light, but they also allow outsiders to see inside your living space. Keep your windows covered and your belongings private.
Hide the wires of your home security system. An intruder can cut the wires if he can find them. Don’t let this happen; bury or hide the wires. This helps keep you and your family safe.
Before you let anyone into your house, thoroughly check their references. You should do a background check as well to find out their criminal history. You don’t know whether the contractor, maid, or repairman that you’ve hired is trustworthy and handing them your keys could be a costly mistake.
The most useful tool for finding home security is the Internet. Review different websites and review comments from previous customers. Once you have selected a few potential home security providers, set appointments to interview them and find out what they have on offer.
See how long the home security company has been around before you make any decisions. Companies with a long history can give you the best service for many years. It will make you feel better knowing that the company you choose is not fly by night.
The outside of your house should be well lit. Burglars like committing crimes in the darkness. Put a light anywhere where an intruder can enter your home. This includes porches and doorways, the garage, as well as ground floor windows, which can invite an intruder.
Before you think about home security, consider personal security and safety. Security systems are a proven method of reducing your chance of break-ins, but it is not always the right choice. You could, for instance, invest in an alarm system, some outside lights, adopt a dog or take some self-defense classes. Understand completely the risks and rewards in order to make an informed purchase decision.
You should never use your birthday as the password for your numeric keypad. A thief can easily find this information out. Rather, use a number that can be determined through an equation that you can remember instead.
Now that you’ve got some useful home security tips, they can be used to better secure your home. Begin changing your home today. The result will be a home whose security you can rely on. You will soon be relaxed.
