Many people opt to buy a home security system for the peace of mind that it can provide. Who among us doesn’t want to protect their family, after all? But before you purchase a home security system, you need to make sure you take the time to do your research.
Home security systems do more than sounding an alarm in case of a break in. Most of them can be programmed to alert you to anyone entering your home. This is important to parents who have small children, because they will want to know if the children have opened a door.
Eliminate dead vegetation and wood in the yard in the summer. They are a potential fire hazard during warmer months. Therefore, you need to regularly clean your yard so that your home is protected.
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.
Clean up that dirty garage and park your car in it. Parking your car in your garage can really help keep criminal activity at bay. First, your car will be less of a target than if it was sitting parked on the street. Second, it makes it tougher for criminals to track your daily activities.
Be careful sharing vacation plans online. This is especially true when it comes to sharing plans on social networking sites and posting updates while on vacation. You don’t really know is reading your plans on these sites. Anyone could be planning on breaking into your home uninterrupted since you are not there because you have told everyone that you are not there.
Lock up your home, even if you are around. Many people think that their neighborhood is the safest out there. They’ll leave their doors unlocked all day (and night long) without a second thought! This is inviting trouble. Make it a habit to lock those doors (and windows) even if you’re home. It’s probably the most important basic thing you can do for your family’s overall safety.
Choose an alarm which monitors other areas outside your doors. Windows need to be monitored too. Be certain they are also alarmed and monitored. This will make your family safer.
There are some disadvantages to a wired home security system. One considerable drawback is the fact that the system cannot be moved if you should sell your home. Another factor to consider is the initial cost of the installation. Since running the wires requires the services of an electrician, the cost is much more than a wireless system.
If you move to a place that was occupied before, you should change the locks right away. You do not want anyone to have a copy of the key. It is possible to purchase and put in locks on your own so you can be assured you have the only keys.
Inscribe your valuable electronics with a number and report this information to the police. This will allow you to track something if a burglar was to come into your house and steal the valuables from your home. This will also save you a lot of time and money as it can be retrieved more effectively.
Keeping your doors and windows locked may seem like an all too simple action to deter theft, but following through can greatly increase the security of your home. Even if you live in a neighborhood free of crime, leaving doors and windows unlocked is an invitation to intruders. Remember to lock doors and windows, even if you’re home during the day.
The Internet is your friend when searching for a home security company, so you should use it wisely. Check out reviews you find on the web. You can then make three solid selections and make appointments with them.
Plant a sign that discourages people from soliciting near your house. This will prevent people from coming to your door that you do not know. If you have this sign posted and there is someone who wants to rob your house, they may feel uncomfortable coming up to your door as it will look suspicious.
Never leave a note on your door for delivery or service people. A note on a door might as well be a neon sign for a potential intruder, alerting them to the fact that nobody is home. Try to arrange for a friend or neighbor to accept your delivery or let a service person onto the property if you cannot be home.
The best types of locks are deadbolt locks. Spring locks are the easiest for a thief to manipulate, they are also the most common on many homes. People will lock the spring lock on the doorknob, but leave the deadbolt unlocked. The deadbolt is the hardest for a thief to access, so use it whenever you can.
Watch out for the home security company that tries to over sell everything to you. There are many offerings from home security companies, including video monitoring, keeping on eye on your home on your television, keyless entry and other such innovations. While all interesting, some might be more than you need. The salesman who tries to sell you everything under the sun is not really looking out for your best interest, and is likely looking at his own bottom line.
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.
There are several different factors to consider when deciding on which home security system to purchase for your home. Security systems can vary widely in their complexity, pricing, and the degree of control they provide you. Make sure you’ve thought about what your security needs are, and research your options wisely!
