Bad things happen to the best people, and they can happen to you at the most unpredictable times. Do not risk placing your family in this type of danger due to your negligence. This article has advice to help protect your home.
Always make your house appear to be occupied. Keep your radio, TV and lights on timers. This will give the appearance that someone is at your house at all times. This will help to deter burglars.
Be very cautious about entrusting a maid service with a key to your home. If you do give your housekeeper a key or plan on doing so, it is imperative that they are honest and upstanding. Make sure you verify all references. If the cleaner is from a firm, try calling the local BBB to find out about the firm’s reputation.
Don’t let people into your house that you don’t know. While their story may seem legit, that doesn’t mean it is true. Some folks will enter to scout for security systems, and upon seeing you lack one, will resolve to return at a later time.
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 in the very top of your door for smaller valuables. You can even create a hiding place in a acoustical ceiling by removing a tile and restoring it with something like magnetic fasteners. Make sure to avoid leaving fingerprints with this method.
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’ve got a garage, boost home security just by using it for only a car instead of storage. Keeping the car inside is a good way to keep criminals from stealing or harming it. This can also keep people from knowing your schedule.
Install lights that use a motion-sensor. They’ll flip on when people walk within a certain distance of your house. Not only will you know that someone is out there, it will also deter burglars because they want to be inconspicuous. Do not forget to change a bulb when it burns out.
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.
If you are going on vacation, do not change your answering machine telling everyone that you are going to be away. Burglars will call this number and see that it is open season on your house. Keep your regular message and advise friends and family members to call your cell phone when you are away.
If you are searching for ways to make your home more secure, one inexpensive way to accomplish this is to purchase exterior lights that have motion detectors. They lights will light up your property at night and they are cost-effective and efficient. They also help to keep intruders away, because an intruder does not want to come close to your property if they know they might be spotted.
If you would like a home security system, but cannot afford the expensive installation and monthly fees, you have another option. You can purchase a wireless DIY home alarm that has most of the features you desire for less than $200.00. In addition, there are no monthly fees and the system is portable.
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.
Facebook is your enemy when it comes to being burgled. When you announce that you’re headed to Florida for two weeks, you’re letting the world know. This means that everyone understands that your home is standing empty. Share your photos once you get home instead of alerting the world to a vacant property.
Your window coverings are a great way to keep your home secure. Not only does this keep prying eyes from seeing the contents of your home, but it also does not allow a criminal to determine if you are home. Crooks want to avoid coming into contact with people as much as possible, so if they do not know if you are at home and cannot figure it out, they will probably move to the next house.
While posting photos of yourself on vacation to Twitter or Facebook may be nice, it is also an open invitation to crooks asking them to break into your home – after all, you’re not there! Share your photos once you get back instead to ensure no one knows your house is vacant.
Do not use spring latch locks on your doors. This type of lock is extremely easy to break. Anyone with a credit card can do it. A card can be placed between the latch and the door, and this will open it. IF spring latch locks are already in place, add a deadbolt for that extra layer of security.
Learn how to create an illusion of someone being at home. Burglars don’t want to break in while you’re home. Leave a television or radio running for noise. Use timers to keep lights on and off in random patterns. Motion-detector activated lighting in the yard can convince someone to leave your yard.
Burglars are not predictable, so you never know if you have become a target. You can do a lot more to protect your home and your family than just hope it doesn’t happen to you. Keep this advice in mind to prevent burglars from getting into your home.
