To make the best choice in terms of securing your home, it is important to familiarize yourself with the range of options that are available. You shouldn’t just make a blind decision. Go over this article to learn more about home security and how you can protect your home.
When you buy a new home, be sure to have the locks changed. This is because you really have no idea who has keys, and therefore access to your home. Having a locksmith replace the locks will ensure that no strangers have a key. When you lose your keys, have your locks rekeyed.
Seek recommendations from friends and family when choosing a security company or system. Your friends have gone through both bad and good experiences and they will be able to share them with you. Do your research; it will help you make a good decision in the end.
Don’t open your door for strangers. You never know who they might be, despite their story. Make it mandatory that doors in your home are only opened for expected visitors.
Remove all of the vegetation outside in the hotter months. These are vulnerable to fires and put your home in danger. Make sure your yard is clean for the sake of your safety – and that of your family!
Get to know your neighbors. Introduce yourself to your neighbors. Watch out for their homes, and ask them to do the same for you. Also consider listening in on some of the neighborhood gossip. You may learn some great information about security, such as if any strangers have been hanging around.
Before doing anything else, install new locks in your home. As time passes, keys end up getting into the wrong hands. It shouldn’t cost too much, and the process can be completed very quickly.
Find a home security company you can trust. This is especially important when it comes to the company employees who will be installing your system. If you don’t feel comfortable, go with someone else. You want your new system to protect you, not be the way the thief gets into your home.
Always lock your house, no matter how briefly you expect to be gone. You may be surprised to know that many burglars simply turn the doorknob and walk right in. It won’t take long for thieves to steal lots of expensive valuables.
When you pick an alarm system, it’s a good idea to get one that provides protection for both doors and windows. The best systems are those that cover windows as well. Be certain they are also alarmed and monitored. Doing this will help ensure the safety of your home and loved ones.
Make sure your flashlights have charged batteries and are found throughout your home. They give you and your family the opportunity to move around should the electricity go out. Be sure everyone in your family is aware of the location of emergency flashlights.
Your first priority when you move to an apartment or house where others have lived in before is to replace all the locks. Although the previous owner should not have a key, there is no way for you to know this. You can do your own installation to make sure that no one else has a key.
Any time you let a stranger into your home that is doing some kind of work, it is best to ask for references. It wouldn’t hurt to also perform a background check. Someone can seem nice and professional on the outside, but they may not be so nice on the inside.
Keeping your house bright and lit at night will deter many crooks. Most burglars rely on concealment to approach a home. When you have a well-lit home, crooks won’t be able to hide and it will be hard for them to break in undetected. Keep the lights on if you want your home to be secure.
Use the Internet to find a reliable home security company. Research the possibilities, check out package options and pricing and analyze customer feedback. Then, you can set appointments to make price and service comparisons before you choose.
Get a custom-designed plan that fits your needs by having the security company do a site visit in your home. All homeowners and homes differ. A custom set-up will make sure you’re as safe as can be.
If you will be away from your home, arrange to have whoever is collecting your mail to also pick up fliers placed inside your door. This is a way people who are casing out your house can tell whether you are home or not. If the flier is not moved, they know that the occupant is not around or on vacation.
From the road, are your house numbers visible? In an emergency situation, first responders won’t be able to locate your house quickly if the numbers are hidden or are too small to see clearly. Luckily, this is an issue that can be fixed quickly.
When you aren’t home, be sure to close your blinds, curtains or shades. Potential intruders will see what you are doing and get an idea of how many valuables you own if you keep your blinds open. They may break in if they spot something that they like. Do not forget to close your shades before going to bed.
Avoid keeping auto registration in your glove compartment. The reason is that anyone who sees them will immediately have your home address. Instead, keep them with you at all times, or hide them somewhere else inside your vehicle. Remember, you do need to be able to access them quickly if you get pulled over by a policeman.
Having read the information presented here, you are ready to make some smart choices about home security. You don’t have to approach home security with your eyes closed. You need to make the safety of your family your top priority. Remember these things as you go about securing your home.