Keeping your family and your home sage is a common concern. Burglaries are a common occurrence in homes. In addition, there are other issues that homeowners must deal with, including fire, flood, carbon monoxide, etc. Keep reading this piece to find out what it takes to make your home secure.
There are cheaper alternatives to installing a home security system that deters criminals from breaking into your home. Simply putting up a fence or a "large dog" sign can help immensely. Criminals want to make the process as simple as possible for themselves, so dealing with a large dog would deter them.
Refrain from using candles in your house unless it is absolutely necessary. If you do burn a candle, make sure that you blow it out when you are completed. It is vital that no burning flame is left unattended because one slip can destroy your home and potential hurt your loved ones.
If you are a smoker, put out your cigarette in a cup of water to prevent a fire hazard. This should be done before you put it in the trash, as you run the risk of the bud not burning out when you rub it in your ashtray. Smoke outside to reduce all risk of a fire occurring in your home.
It is important to activate your security system when you will be away or at night. If you should fall asleep and forget to set the system it is useless. If you are someone who is often distracted or has a problem remembering things, add activating your system to your checklist of important things to remember.
Park in the garage. While it may be tempting to use the garage as an extra storage area instead, doing so will mean that you have to park out where everyone can see your car. Not only are you setting yourself up to have your vehicle vandalized, but burglars can also keep track of when you are home and when you are away.
Walls are great for hiding items. Small valuables fit nicely inside walls. Target any unused phone jacks or electrical outlets for an easy hiding spot. Even if every single plate in your home is being used, you can purchase a fake one purpose-built for concealing valuables.
Make sure your home has quality locks on all the windows and the doors. Windows must have locks to keep burglars out, and they should have burglar-proof glass. Your doors should either be made of metal or solid wood. They should have heavy-duty, reinforced strike plates. The best locks to have for them are either knob-in-lock sets with dead latches or deadbolts.
If someone comes to your door selling items or claims to want to check something out for repairs, ask them to slide you their ID through the mailbox or under the door. Some robbers will come into your home to case it out, and their sales pitch can sound spot on.
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.
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.
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.
When it comes to home security, your best security set up is a noisy dog. When someone jiggles a door handle or tries to jimmy open a window, Fido can run over and give them the scare of their lives. When you get your dog from a shelter, you're doing a good deed, too.
Make sure the outside of the house is well lit. Darkness allows for all sorts of nefarious activities. Light up the dark spots around your home. This will include doorways, porches, your garage, and ground floor windows that criminals can use.
You can increase your home security by updating your entry method. Key locks can only do so much for your doors. You can try a high tech addition in the form of a digital lock. Some digital locks use key cards, while other use fingerprints or even keypads. Any one of these options can be a viable security boost.
Ask if your home security system comes with a warranty. If it does not, ask if there are options to purchase an additional warranty. Repairing home security systems can be costly, and you do not want that cost to fall on you. A warranty can help to protect you from unexpected costs while keeping your equipment running perfectly.
Before you go to sleep, lock your windows on the first floor of your house. An unlocked window invites unwanted visitors. Even if you think you live in a safe neighborhood, thieves know no boundaries. You should not assume that your open window will go unnoticed. Keep those windows locked so your home will not be an easy target.
Devote extra security to your irreplaceable possessions. Some of these items can include legal documents, jewelry, passports, and priceless family photos. A floor safe is a great place to keep these items within the home. Safety deposit boxes are another great idea.
Homeowners should do everything under their power to make their home safe. The ideas in this article will keep your residence protected. Use the above tips to make your home more secure.
Orignal From: How Home Security Planning Can Benefit You
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