Developing a home security plan that suits your needs is not exactly as simple as it sounds. Many considerations must go into crafting a successful, comprehensive security scheme. Fortunately, the article that follows below is chock full of useful information that will help you determine what you really require in order to protect your home.
Don’t post information about an upcoming vacation anywhere on the web. While it is exciting to go to a new place and have a good time, you are letting thieves know that your house will be empty and they can come right in.
Make sure all exterior wiring is well protected or covered. Copper wiring is a favorite object for theft as it is often accessible from outside the home and can be sold for a great deal of money. Air conditioners are a prime target for copper thieves. Also make sure exterior power and phone lines are protected and not easily cut.
For alarms to really protect your home, they need to be obvious. While alarms can calm your mind and make sure help is on the way after a breach, they can also be used to prevent one. Criminals should know that you have alarms ahead of time. You should prominently display the notice that has your alarm company’s name on it outside of your house. When these signs are hidden, possible thieves don’t see your home as any less of a target than other homes in your area.
A big problem with home security is having overgrown landscaping. Overgrown landscaping gives crooks shelter when breaking into your home. All of your windows and doors should be able to be seen from the streets without having bushes covering them. Also within the yard, do not allow your landscaping to grow to a point where thieves can hide.
It is not a good idea to hide a spare key on your property. While it may seem like a convenient way to give you access to your home, intruders are aware of this practice. Burglars are well aware of these hiding places. A better solution is to give your key to a neighbor you trust.
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.
Make sure to choose an alarm company that offers monitoring. An alarm that just buzzes if an intruder tries to enter is statistically shown to be mostly ineffective. When you add the additional monitoring however, you have a direct link to someone who can call the police and get you help. There may be an extra charge for a monitored alarm, but it is well worth the cost.
Each of your exterior doors needs to have a solid lock installed, which means a deadbolt. If there is an existing deadbolt on the door, check to be sure it is at least one inch long. If not, you should be able to replace the lock yourself. Simply go to a hardware store and shop around.
Fingertip locks are a common, effective way to protect intruders from entering your home. With these locks, the only way someone can get through your front door is by you programming their fingerprints into the system. If someone not in the system attempts to use their fingerprint to get in, you will be alerted.
Always keep your garage door closed. If you own a car, keep it inside the garage at all times. Not only will this keep your car safe, but a crook will not know when you are at home and when you are away. The garage is easy access to many of your valuables and also a quick access to inside your home.
Do not let too many people know you are going on vacation. Though you may be able to trust some of your neighbors, you never know who they could tell or who else may be listening. If you need your pets taken care of or plants watered when you are away, have a close friend or family member come to your home.
When you consider a security company, be certain you read the details and fine print of the contract you’re about to sign. There may be some hidden fees, or a need to buy more equipment later. You should avoid such expenses if you can, so make yourself aware.
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 in a peaceful manner.
Consider hiring a home security company that offers a little extra. Many companies today offer keyless entry devices for your home, ways to monitor your home from your smartphone and even video monitoring equipment so you can watch your home. These services can provide you with additional peace of mind, and they are worth exploring.
Never put your full name in the phone book, on your mailbox or in a buzz code directory. Include only your first initial and last name to ensure people can’t take that information and use it to make you think they are someone you should be letting into your home.
The simplest way to keep your home secure is to lock the doors and windows. This may seem like common sense, but many people leave their doors and windows unlocked. Sometimes a crook will steal because an opportunity presents itself and if the door is unlocked, they have full access to your home and valuables.
Knowing what type of home security safeguards you ought to be taking can be a fairly significant challenge. The key is to arm yourself with sound advice and guidance before moving ahead with any decisions. Hopefully the preceding article has given you what you need to take your home’s safety into your own hands and start taking action today.
