Protect Your Home With These Home Security Tips

TIP! Always change the locks after moving into a new home. You simply do not know how many keys to the old locks are floating around.

Do you know anything at all about home security systems? You need to educate yourself so you want to find the ideal home security system. This is a costly investment that can keep your family safe, so make sure to read on and learn.

Check out their references very carefully. If applicable, speak with your local BBB about the company’s reliability.

TIP! Don’t open your door if a stranger is on the other side. Criminals find ways to get people to open doors so they can commit crimes.

Don’t talk about an upcoming vacation anywhere on the web. It’s great to see new places and take a lot of photos, but this is as good as throwing out the welcome mat for people who know your home is unoccupied.

TIP! In summer, take care to trim back branches and plants near the house. Due to the heat, these items in your yard are more likely to catch on fire.

Turn the ringer off on all your phones if you are going to be away. A phone lets thieves know that you’re not home and could increase the chances of you getting robbed.

TIP! It is important that your valuables are not visible from anywhere outside your house. It is wise to invest in coverings for large windows that can give criminals a large view of your home.

You should never open up a door to someone you do not know. People often think of ways to convince others into letting them in so that they can commit burglary or worse. Make it mandatory that doors in your house knows not to open the door unless they know the person standing outside.

TIP! When you pick an alarm system, it’s a good idea to get one that provides protection for both doors and windows. It should protect the windows too.

See if your local police department has any home protection programs. They may offer neighborhood watch programs, home inspections, and other guidance about securing your house. Call and inquire as to what programs they offer.

Talk to the people who live in your neighbors.

TIP! Get flashlights with good batteries, and have them in each room in case you lose power. It is extremely important that you have flashlights because they allow you to move around easier in the dark, which is especially useful in an emergency.

Motion sensor lights on the exterior of your home is a great investment. These are lights will pop right on if someone walks near your house. Just do not forget to replace the bulbs every so often so the lights remain in working order.

TIP! Before you let anyone go into your home, look at their references thoroughly. Be sure to perform a background check and look for any criminal history that might be in evidence.

Don’t forget skylights when securing your home. Skylights have a good function, but they can make it easier for burglars to access the house. Be certain that skylights for your home are durable and reliable.

TIP! Having your home lit up and bright at night is a great deterrent to crooks. Burglars don’t want to be visible.

Most real-world burglars aren’t master lock-breakers; they simply stroll in through a door is left open and an intruder just walks in. A thief could steal all your valuables in only a short amount of time.

Replace all the locks in a new house.Regardless of how trustworthy you consider the last owners to be, you never know someone’s true intentions.

Rotted Wood

TIP! If you don’t have a paper shredder, you might want to buy one. Thieves often look through garbage, trying to find credit card information or other important documents.

Replace rotted wood on your door frames. An intruder could pry away that rotted wood easily to open the door. Replace rotting wood that is starting to rot with fresh wood to make your home safer.

TIP! See if your security firm offers a variety of contract lengths. You will probably find there are many pros and cons associated with each different contract.

If you move to a place that was occupied before, you should change the locks on all the doors. The previous owners or tenants might have a key.You can install your own locks so that you are assured of having the only keys.

Get a custom-designed plan that fits your home security company do a site visit in your needs.

TIP! Make sure that your key is in a hidden place. A very obvious location is underneath fake rocks.

Do not buy spring latches. These locks are very easy to pick by simply using a credit card. Intruders just have to slide a card in between the latch and the lock to pop open. Add a deadbolt to existing spring latch locks.

TIP! Make sure you have the curtains drawn if your windows are faced toward the street. You want to avoid having people peek in the windows.

Keep curtains pulled tight when you aren’t at home. Intruders can look into your home if the blinds are up. You should also have the windows covered when you are sleeping.

Anyone could get your date of birth from Facebook profile or your house.

Think about getting a hard-wired system if you’re worried about long term maintenance costs. It can be expensive to replace batteries.

TIP! Though it is often good to avoid neighborhood gossips, make sure you are friendly with those in your area. If there are unfamiliar people hanging around, the busybodies in your neighborhood will notice.

You wouldn’t want to invite people peeking in through your home. If burglars spot the expensive items in your house, you would not want him to see your belongings and target your house. Make sure and minimize what is visible to the public so you can keep your chances of becoming a target.

Ask your security company you hire whether they have lights with motion sensors. This provides added security when you from having unwanted guests enter your home.

TIP! You need to install locks that are accessible from both inside and out. A deadbolt with keys on both the inside and outside of the door is best.

Deadbolts with captive keylocks are the most secure locks to get. These have a thumb latch that prevents others from reaching around and open the lock through a nearby broken window. When you are home, leave your key in this kind of lock for easy egress in the event of fire.

Buy security systems directly from the manufacturer. Re-sellers are out to score quick money, and they will not always stand behind the products they sell.

TIP! Consider installing infrared detection lights. This technology will sense a human being and immediately adjust the lights on.

External wiring is a home is often a very easy target for potential thieves. The copper from your electrical system could be traded for lots of cash. Conceal the wiring in your home to keep copper thieves from stripping it and leaving you with a lot on repairs.

A crook can easily remove them and go inside if they are not secured. You can remove them from your windows during winter.

TIP!

Your garbage needs to be as secure as your home’s security. If you have expensive electronics, they may decide to return later. Even a simple appliance may be enough to entice a good target to break into.

TIP!

Change your garage door opener code. The code you get is standard for many products. Thieves go door-to-door with their opener until they find one which works on the generic code it has.

TIP!

Do you feel confident now? The better educated you are on the subject, the more informed decisions you can make. Remember what you’ve read as you begin your home security plans.