High crime areas are not the only places that should be concerned about protecting the homes of citizens. Burglary and home invasions can happen to anyone, no matter how nice the neighborhood is. Read the tips in this article in order to quickly make your home more secure and safe.
When getting a home security system, you need to consider if there has been one previously installed. If this is the case, you can actually have a cheaper or easier installation by choosing to go with what was done before. Remember that this can be a wired or wireless installation.
If you have a vacation home that you do not spend much time at, a home security system could be a worthwhile investment. This will automatically alert you and the local authorities if something happens to your home while you are away such as a fire, break-in or other problem.
Never leave spare keys under doormats or any place in the exterior of your home. This is vital, as burglars will look here first to see if you made this mistake. Keep keys and lock combinations with you at all times to maintain the highest level of protection for your home.
Does your dog remain outside while you’re gone? They may provide you with a useful place to hide your key. Stash the key on the pup’s collar to keep it out of sight. If your dog is suspicious of strangers, you have found a good hiding place for your key.
If you are planning to have the cable guy or repair man come to your house, refrain from putting notes on the door. This shows burglars that you are not currently home, which will make them more prone to robbing your house. Use phone communication to indicate to your servicemen the details of your whereabouts.
Keep the area directly alongside your home clear of bushes to eliminate hiding places for intruders. Although having shrubs and ornamental bushes underneath windows and along the sides of your home can be beautiful, they’re perfect hiding places for people who are trying to break-in. Keep these potential trouble spots clear, especially in front of and around windows.
Do you have any exposed wires on the outside of your home? If so, hide them. Burglars will often try to cut off power to your alarm system or phone before breaking in. If there are wires that they can see, you are just making their job easier on them.
Sit your family down and create a fire escape plan depending on what region of the house you are in. This is crucial, as it will serve as the quickest plan to leave the house safely and effectively in an emergency. Practice your plan with your family as these few hours can save lives.
Be sure that your home security system has a panic button as well. The best of intruders sometimes have ways of getting into your home, even if you have the best system in place. Having a panic button in your bedroom is your best bet; authorities will be notified and will be at your house quickly.
If your front door does not have a peephole, it is wise to have one installed. Peepholes allow you to see who’s at your front door before you open it. Some home owners choose to have two peepholes installed to allow for difference in height of those that live in the home.
Dogs are helpful in keeping your home safe. Burglars do not want extra attention drawn to them and even a small, noisy dog can deter someone who wants to break into your home. A trained guard dog may not make the best pet, and you don’t have to have an attack dog to keep burglars away.
Avoid putting your name on your mailbox. As silly as it may seem, doing so gives a thief ammunition to break into your home. They could easily call directory assistance using your name to get your phone number. Then, they will call you to find out if you are home or not.
Always make sure your doors are locked. Every time you open your windows to air out the house, go around and double check the locks in the evening. Many people forget to do this, and the reality is, most burglars gain entry through windows and doors. Lock everything, no matter what time of day it is.
Always lock your home, even if you plan on coming back within a few minutes. In a lot of cases, home intruders enter through unlocked doors. A thief could steal all your valuables in only a few minutes.
When selecting a home alarm system, choose one that protects many areas of your home, not just the doors. Burglars often enter through windows as well. The alarm and monitoring system should be set for all windows and doors. This can mean the difference between a safe home and one that is an easy target.
Compare prices from at least three separate home security companies before hiring one. Different companies offer different packages and plans, so make sure you are always comparing apples to apples. Doing this will help you to get the best plan for the best price, and it will help you to feel confident about your buying decision.
If you have pets then you might be leery about having a home security system installed, out of fear of the pets setting it off all the time. Discuss these concerns prior to purchasing a system, and a good company should be able to set your system to not be too sensitive.
Do you have a fence? If so, invest in a padlock for each gate that you have. Fences provide some measure of privacy, so if a burglar is simply able to walk through the gate, they may be able to break in your home from the back without being detected.
As stated in the beginning of the article, citizens in high crime areas are not the only people that should worry about home security. Never assume that you are exempt from something horrible happening to you. Remember the useful tips in this article so you can protect you and your family.
