Home Security Tips and Tricks on Keeping Your Home Safe
Protecting your home from burglars over the last few years has become increasingly important. With the tumbling economy and the unemployment rate being so high, the crime rate has gone up. Neighborhoods in the past that would rarely be hit with break in's and robbery are now more prone to burglars. No matter where you live today it is important to take steps to make sure that you and your home are protected. Here are some great tips to get you on your way.
Home Security Tips for the Inside of Your Home
Burglars assess both the outside and inside of your home before making a decision on a robbery. Below are certain things you can do in the interior of your home to help deter burglars.
- When going on vacation make your home looks occupied at all times. Have lights set up on timers and leave a radio or tv playing in the background.
- Turn down your phone when you are away. A sure way for a burglar to know you are not home is to hear the phone ring and no one answer.
- Get a dog. Hearing a dog bark will often send burglars running.
- Don’t leave valuables in places where they can easily be found. For example, don’t leave your expensive jewelry on your dresser. If you can, lock it in a safe or hide it discreetly. If a burglar does get in and can’t find what they want quickly, they will often move on.
Home Security Tips for the Outside of Your Home
The first place burglars analyze before trying to break into anyone's home is the outside of it. There are many queues that can quickly alert them that no one is home, you are on vacation and that you have expensive items in your home. Being aware of these various queues can help ensure you don't make your home a target at first glance
- Never leave a spare key out. Even if you think you are hiding your spare key in a great place, burglars know where to look.
- When you are out of town don’t let newspapers and mail pile up. It is best if you can get a neighbor to pick them up for you, as you never know who might find out that you are away if you stop delivery.
- Don’t put your name on your mailbox. If a burglar can find out your name they can find your number and call you home to see if you are there.
- Make sure your outside has good lighting. If possible motion sensor lighting is the best.
- Never leave notes on your doors telling anyone you are away. There are times you might be tempted to leave a note for a delivery person or in case a friend stops by. When a burglar sees this, to them that is an open invitation to enter.
- Don’t advertise what is in your home. In other words if you make a large purchase, like a large flat panel television for example, don’t put the box out on your curb for all to see.
- Be careful with landscaping. While large trees and bushes often add to the décor, they can also be great hiding spots for burglars.
- Place signs on your lawn that your home is protected by a home security system. Even if you don't have an alarm system installed this can deter burglars from attempting to enter your home.
Security Tips for Securing Your Home
Securing your home seems like common sense but not securing your home properly is one of the top reasons people's homes get broken into. Below are some tips to ensure your home is secure.
- Install dead bolts: If your doors do not have dead bolts on them get them installed right away. Dead bolts are much harder for burglars to break through.
- Change the locks when you move into a new home: When you move into a new home make sure you change out all of the locks. You never know who might have a copy of your keys and easy access to your home.
- Lock doors and windows when not at home. A good percentage of burglaries take place through open doors and windows. Even if you are going to be away from home for just a few minutes it is still important for you to lock up.
- Use bars for extra protection on patio doors. Patio doors can be very easy to get though, but using an extra security bar will give you greater protection.
- Never leave your garage door open or unlocked. This is another easy way for a burglar to enter your home.
Tips for Using a Monitored Home Security System
Having a home alarm system with monitoring is great for both deterring burglars, alerting you of a possible break in attempt while at home and alerting the proper authorities if a break in happens while you are not there. Alarm systems can be very basic to extremely complex. Below are some ideas for securing your home with a home security system.
- Consider all possibly entry points in your home and install door sensors, window sensors and possibly glass break sensors.
- Install motion sensors in case the entry point sensors do not work or a burglar possibly used an entry point without a sensor.
- Turn on your alarm while you are asleep at night. Even if you have motion sensors it is likely that there is an option to keep the alarm on without the motion sensors.
- Be sure to display prominently that there is an alarm system installed by putting stickers on the windows and signs in the front and back of your home. This will make a burglar thing twice before making any burglary attempts.
Other Popular Home Security Topics
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