When you live in an area with a high volume of crime, or there are little ones in your home, security quickly becomes a priority. Do not neglect the issue because you think the only options are expensive. Read the tips in this article to begin feeling safer at home.
Cut the bushes around your home. If someone is interested in breaking in, the first thing they are going to do is look for a place where they can hide as they try to find their way inside. If you want your yard to look aesthetically beautiful, plant flowers instead.
Do not hide your key in a mailbox or other well-known location. Instead, put your key in paper or aluminum foil and place it in a small container. After you do this, bury it in a spot in your yard where people would not think to look. This can help keep your home safe from unwanted guests.
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. Above a door frame or under a mat are not smart ideas. Rather, think about putting a key on your outside dog’s collar.
Having a good sized dog can make for a great home security system and deterrent to criminals who are considering breaking into your house. Even if you do not have a dog, buying a couple “beware of the dog” signs can be enough to deter people from robbing your house.
If your security system alarm goes off and scares the burglar away, you can be fined for a false alarm. If the police send someone to check your property in response to a security alert and no burglar is there, it is considered a false alarm. You can be fined and charged because your security system worked.
If you just purchased a home and it has an old security system, you should probably replace it. You do not how long the security system has been there or what faults it may have. Plus, newer systems have better technology, meaning your home will be better protected from intruders.
If you have every been the victim of a robbery, you are likely to see the value of a home security system. Your peace of mind can take precedence over the expense of installing the system. Shop carefully to be sure you are getting the best system available at the best price.
Add lights to your lawn. You don’t need crazy bright spotlights to keep thieves away. All you need is some decent general lighting that makes your property just a little less appealing to criminals than homes that offer a lot more cover. You can even use lights on timers to help save on the overall electricity bill while still helping to keep you safe.
Do not leave notes on your door for family members or people that are coming to service your home. You may think nothing of it, but it is letting everyone know that no one is inside. It is a good idea to give people a call ahead of time and give them instructions.
Don’t hide an extra key under a rock or in a planter. While you may need to prepare if you have a spare key, it is wise to choose ways that do not increase the risk of a criminal gaining entrance to your home. Burglars are familiar with these hiding spots. Instead, give your extra key to a neighbor whom you trust.
Be careful who you give your keys to. Be especially careful with one-time contractors who work around your home. Make sure they are a reputable company. Some shadier contractors make duplicate keys to your home to break in easily later. Check with the business resources in your area to assure the contractor’s reputation is clean.
As silly as it may seem, stop having newspapers delivered if you are going on vacation. Intruders will see all of the papers piling up and will realize that no one is home, making it more likely for them to break in. Call the delivery company and tell them when you will come back and when you want them to start delivering again.
With all of the new technology nowadays, you can ditch your old set of house keys. The latest in home security now allows you to have the option of key-less entry into your home. A special device reads predetermined fingerprints programmed by you, and the door will only open with there is a match.
A wireless DIY home security system may be much less expensive than systems owned and installed by home security companies, but it lacks some important advantages. Unless you are experienced, you may no install the system correctly. Also, if the system fails you are completely responsible for any repairs. There is also no connection to the police.
Ask about a maintenance schedule for your home security system. Many companies offer this free of charge. A maintenance schedule allows a qualified technician to enter your home and make adjustments, improvements and upgrades to your existing system, as well as checking to make sure it is working correctly. Your system will not help you if it is not working, so this is important.
Keep your tools and garage equipment safe. One good way to make your tools less appealing for a thief is by painting them an identifiable color. Good colors would be baby blue, purple or even pink. This immediately identifies the tools as yours. A thief is less likely to take something that can be so easily traced back to you.
Some people tend to always be losing keys or locking themselves out, but hiding a key beneath the doormat isn’t the best solution. If you don’t have any neighbors nearby you trust, or they’re sick of you showing up to get your spare key from them, invest in a numeric keypad instead.
Instead of assuming that the only way to make your home safer is by installing an expensive home security system, educate yourself. This article should have provided you with some ideas on the subject. Remember these tips in order to start feel more secure and safe when you’re in the home.
