Have you taken a look at your options concerning home security systems? It's very important that you know what you're facing so that you make a good decision. As a matter of fact, good is not the best, so you need to be able to make the best decision. Keep reading to learn more about your home security options.
Always change the locks after moving into a new home. You're not aware of any copies that have been made by the previous owners of the house. Contact a locksmith to make sure that only you have access to your home. Give a key to someone you trust in case you get locked out.
If you use a social media site such as Facebook it can be tempting to tell everyone that you are planning to go away or are already away. Try your best not to post about being away until you are back, especially if your site is not private. You never know who could be watching and see it as an opportunity to break in.
If you're going on a trip for an extended period of time, switch the ringer off on all home phones. When burglars hear phones ringing for an extended period of time in a home, they know that there is no one there to answer.
Make sure that your home security system has a backup power source. Many burglars cut wires inside home security systems before entering a home. If you have a backup source, the alarm will continue to work as it should. It may be more expensive to install this type of system, but it will be worth it.
Do not leave an extra key under your doormat or any other place that a burglar would look for it. If you know that you have a tendency to misplace your keys, it would be a good idea to leave an extra set with one of your neighbors, or you can leave them inside your car.
Sit your family down and create a fire escape plan depending on what region of the house you are in. This is crucial, as it will serve as the quickest plan to leave the house safely and effectively in an emergency. Practice your plan with your family as these few hours can save lives.
See if your local police department offers any home inspection or other protection programs. Your local police department will help you with preventive measures, inspect your home and show you how to mark your valuables so they can easily be found. Talk with local police to see if they offer these programs.
Install motion sensing lights. Darkness is a potential thief's best friend. Make sure all potential entrances to your home are covered by a motion sensing light. These lights will turn on automatically when movement triggers them, making it difficult for anyone to sneak around your property. Thieves will quickly move on to an easier target.
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.
Don't put spare keys inside plant boxes or beneath the welcome mat. While it can help you if you're locked out, you could be letting intruders inside your home. Thieves are familiar with these hiding spots. Rather, give the key to a neighbor to hold.
You should change the locks to your new home as soon as you buy it. Even if the owner tells you that you have all of the keys, there may be a chance this is not true. You don't want to take the chance that some unknown person will have access to your home.
Regardless of how long you plan on being away from your home, always lock all the doors and windows whenever you leave. It may be shocking, but many home invasions and burglaries occur by intruders walking through the front door that was left open. Thieves can steal a lot of valuable stuff in mere minutes.
Keep your patio doors locked. If you do not have a lock on the doors, you can still keep your home safe. Place a metal bar or piece of pipe in the bottom track of your door's slide. It should be the same length as the track of the door.
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.
If there is space around your door within its frame, shore it up with .75" plywood. If wood won't do it, try using sheet metal instead. When there is a gap, the burglar can easily jimmy open the door, so close up the space and ensure that no one will be able to get inside.
When searching for a home security firm to assume responsibility for monitoring your property, make a point to solicit recommendations from others in your neighborhood. Ask about past experiences and response times in emergency situations. In this way, you will be able to determine whether a prospective company is worth looking into further.
Make sure the price quotes you get from home security companies are very detailed. They should include all costs for installation, monitoring, regular maintenance, breaking a contract and any other special fees. Doing this will help you to gain a true understanding of what your system will cost to obtain, as well as the ongoing costs of keeping it.
Now that you've read the tips that have been discussed here, you should feel better about moving forward with home security. It's a very important decision, and you must remember the advice you've read. You want to ensure that you've provided your family with a system and service that will help keep everyone safe.
Orignal From: Useful Advice On How To Make Your Home Security Better
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