If you have valuable possessions in your house, including original art, jewelry or large sums of money, do not assume no one knows about it. Upgrading your home security gives you protection from burglars. The following tips can help put you in the safest position possible.
You can hide your spare key on your dog. This approach is useful if your dog is a large breed that lives outdoor, or if your house has a doggy door. Just place your key on your dog’s collar.
Invest in a safe in order to secure very valuable items. If an intruder breaks into your home, at least these valuables will be secure. Conceal the safe in an out-of-the-way and not easily accessible spot, such as an attic or a basement area.
Comparison shop when you are ready to buy a home security system. Every company offers different pricing. Ensure you talk to a minimum of three companies to obtain quotes before deciding the one that you believe is best for you.
Spare Key
Make sure that you hide your spare key in a good spot. Never put a spare key under a doormat or above a door jam. One good place to hide a spare key is in the collar of a dog that does not take kindly to strangers.
Buy roofing, flooring and interior paneling that is flame resistant. This is a good way to protect your home against fires, for instance if you live near power lines or in a dry area. You can enhance home safety with excellent fire precautions.
Walls make the perfect hiding spot. Keep small, valuable items inside the walls of your home. All you need is a wall opening you’re not using (something like a phone jack, electrical box, or switch plate). You can also install a fake one.
It is important that your valuables are not visible from anywhere outside your house. Large windows allow you to keep an eye on who is approaching your home, but keep in mind that potential intruders will be tempted if they can see your valuables. If your house has street-facing windows, make sure they are always covered and your make sure your valuables are hidden away.
Lock the house, even if just going away for a short time. It is more common than you would believe for a thief to find a home, try the door and walk right in when it’s unlocked. It does not take long for thieves to steal your expensive stuff.
After making major (i.e. expensive) purchases, don’t dump the packaging out front if your next scheduled garbage pick-up is several days away. You are alerting thieves that there is something worth stealing inside your home.
Make sure that the person analyzing your home for a home security system is who he says. Thieves often pose as security company representatives in order to enter homes and look for valuables. This can put your family and possessions in danger. Be careful to avoid this sort of danger.
Any time you let a stranger into your home that is doing some kind of work, it is best to ask for references. You need to do background checks in order to find out about their criminal history. You can never be certain if the contractor, repairman, maid, etc. that you hire to do services in your home is honest. If you let these people in without knowing anything about them, you could experience significant losses.
Landscape your home with safety in mind. Shrubs, trees, fences, etc. should not obstruct the view of your doors and windows. Keeping these features free of vegetation robs would-be burglars of concealment and hiding places. Put landscaping farther away from the house for greater safety.
Instead of thinking that your house will never be threatened by a criminal, always prepare for the worst. Of course, this does not mean living in fear. Simply take some wise precautions. Remember the tips in this article for some great ways on improving your home’s security, so you can protect yourself and your family.