How To Get Yourself Out Of Home Security Trouble

Knowing how to keep your home safe is best done with a good understanding of the options open to you. This isn’t something you want to take lightly. Figure out what you can afford and what is most important.

When you move into a new home, change all the locks. Even though the previous homeowner may have given you keys to the house, there might be a key out there that someone has. To be sure you are as safe as possible, get all new locks for your new house.

Be sure that your home is always occupied. Keep your radio, TV, and lights on timers. This makes people think you’re home. This is an excellent technique that helps avoid robberies while keeping the property safe.

Does your dog stay outside while you are gone? You could let your dog carry a spare key. Hook your key to the dog’s collar in a place that is shielded from view. Your dog is an especially good key hiding spot if he doesn’t react well to strangers since they won’t approach him, but the key will be there if you need it.

While home security systems are effective in most cases, many robberies are committed during daylight hours when the home is not vacant. In this case, the security system may not be activated, so no warning would be sounded. Most burglars enter the home at some other point than the front door.

Never allow any strangers into your home. Remember that intruders have a lot of experience with tricking people. Some people want to enter your home just to see if there is a security system in place. They may be scoping the place to come back when you’re gone.

Protect your valuables. Some common ways to do this are by storing them inside a safe-deposit box or storing them in a heavy home safe that’s nearly impossible to move. Make sure the safe is fireproof. You can use a chiseled-out space at the very top of your door for smaller valuables. You can even create a hiding place in an acoustical ceiling by removing a tile and restoring it with something like magnetic fasteners. Make sure to avoid leaving fingerprints with this method.

You should install heavy drapes and keep them closed in rooms where you have a lot of high-end equipment. If you have an expensive computer, television, or stereo system, showing them off through a window is akin to advertising. You are giving thieves an inventory of what is inside your home.

Make sure that everyone in your family is familiar with the emergency numbers on your phone. Also, have each of these programmed so that it only takes one touch of a button to dial them. This will allow everyone in your house to be of quick service if something goes wrong.

How much space do you have between your door and its frame? Having too much room here is like an open invitation for a burglar to use some sort of jimmy to get inside your home. You can reinforce your door with a thin piece of plywood or sheet metal.

Don’t hide your spare house key in an obvious place outside. The days of safely hiding the spare key under the doormat are long gone. Placing your key in an obvious area like this now may help you if you get locked out, but it could also be an invitation for a thief to enter your home. It’s best to avoid hiding spare keys on your property. You should either keep a spare key with a trusted neighbor or get a fingerprint or keypad door lock.

Ask your alarm system if they provide separate entry codes for cleaning people or maintenance men. If they do, take advantage of this feature. In many instances, you can arm the system to allow entry with that code only at specific times of the day. This will help prevent potential thieves from entering your house during the evening hours or at other times when they know you might not be at home.

Lights on your home are a great way to enhance your home security. Thieves hate lights. When a light comes on, a crook will scurry away like a cockroach. Motion sensors are suitable, but having lights on constantly is a better deterrent. The dark is a crook’s best friend, so keep your home lit well.

If you work from home or have your own business, do not put your address or phone number on your website. Disgruntled customers or thieves could come to your home and try to get inside. Instead, get a post office box and have customers or associates send you mail to this address.

If you are leaving on vacation, make sure you set some lights on timers so that thieves do not know you are away. If they think you are home, they are less likely to break in. It is much easier for a crook to steal from you when you are not at home.

Make sure your home security company offers a guarantee on their products and services, preferably for at least a year. You want to make sure you are satisfied with the service they offer, and you also want to make sure you will not be charged extra if the equipment they install is faulty.

If you see anyone in your neighborhood you don’t know who seems to continually pop up, including a questionable car, ask your neighbors if they know them. If not, a call to the police will only protect your home, even if it is at the expense of someone who happens to be loitering peacefully.

This article provides a starting point for your research. There is no reason for you to be unaware of how to secure your home. The safety of your family is the most important thing. Take the ideas discussed here under advisement as you assess your security needs.

Related Posts

Leave a Reply