You are wise to be concerned about home security. You can never know if you're a burglary target and if they want to steal your items or hurt the people in your home. Read on to learn how to increase the security of your home.
When you move into a new home change all the locks. Even though the previous homeowner may have given you keys to the house, there might be a key out there that someone has. To be sure you are as safe as possible, get all new locks for your new house.
Cameras are a great way to protect your home and family. If you make the cameras noticeable, just having them on your property is enough to deter many criminals. High quality video surveillance systems have gone down in price in recent years and are affordable for almost any budget now.
Changing the locks on your home can be a great way to increase security. Locks should always be changed when buying a new home. There could be numerous people that had copies of the keys, from the real estate agent to the previous owners. Locks should also be changed whenever your keys become lost, or after a break-up in a relationship.
The walls of your home make for great hiding spots. Small items of value can be hidden for safety in your home's walls. Place them in switch plates, phone jacks or an electric outlet. You can also install a fake one.
You should make sure that you have a good lock on any doors to the outside. Deadbolts can really provide that extra home security that you need. Deadbolts can not be jimmied open as easily as a standard knob lock. A door that is not secure is an open invitation for trouble.
Walk outside of your home at night and see what is visible through your windows. If you have a clear view of your valuables, especially easily stolen electronics, then so do potential thieves. If you don't want to rearrange the interior of your home, simply make sure that blinds or drapes block the view.
If you have just moved into a new home, have every single lock replaced. While the person you bought the home from may seem on the up and up, you have no idea who they really are. Don't forget that there were likely other owners and residents in the house before the last set.
Ask a neighbor to watch your home and get your mail if you are going on a trip for a week or more. Burglars sometimes will check to see that the mail or newspapers are piling up on a driveway. If your neighbor gets these in advance, it looks as if you are home.
If your front door does not have a peephole already, install one immediately. A small peephole can let you see who is at your doorstop without giving them the view of the inside of your home. If your intruder uses the front door to get into your house, a peephole can give you a head start on calling the cops.
Never leave a note on your door for deliverymen or service people as it is a big flag announcing that you're not home. Instead, call the company and let them know whatever it is you need to tell them. Not having your home robbed is worth the extra effort it takes.
If your front door does not have a peephole already, install one immediately. A small peephole can let you see who is at your doorstop without giving them the view of the inside of your home. If your intruder uses the front door to get into your house, a peephole can give you a head start on calling the cops.
If you are unsure whether you should purchase a hard-wired or wireless home security system, call a local home security company for advice. It is important to consider the pros and cons of both systems before making a decision. It will take a representative approximately an hour to evaluate your home before giving an opinion.
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.
All of your exterior doors should have the hinges facing inside. Hinges are easy to break if you have access to them, so that means they need to be within your home so that no one outside can get at them. It may take some effort, but it will be worth it.
Your window coverings are a great way to keep your home secure. Not only does this keep prying eyes from seeing the contents of colonial house remodel 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.
When it comes to lighting up your landscaping, invest in 120-volt lights which are not solar powered. While they do use electricity, you can connect them to motion sensors so they only go on if a large mass goes by, such as a burglar who thinks your dark house is perfect for a break-in.
Install motion detectors on your driveway and link them to your cell phone. This way whenever someone comes on your property, you get a text message letting you know that someone is there. These work great with video monitoring as well. Then you can see who is at your home when you are not there.
There are often catchy prices, advertisements and high-pressured sales tactics involved when checking into your home security options. To make the best decision, you should thoroughly look over reviews and establish good contact with each given company you're choosing from. You want to know what you're getting into before you take the dive.
Feeling afraid in your own home is a terrible way to live; make the investment in a security system and breathe a sigh of relief. A reliable system will not only protect you, it will act as a deterrent to would-be criminals! Hopefully this article has answered your questions and shown you the way to a safer home.
