There are few things more important to people than the security and protection of their homes and families. When it comes to securing your family you don’t always get a second chance. Lives can change forever in only a split second. Take the time now to take make sure your family is safe and secure in your home in the future.
There are several simple low cost things you can do to make your home more secure from robbery and theft and give your family peace of mind.
Home Security Tip #1
Install adequate lighting outside every entry way. You can pick up motion sensor activated lights at most department and hardware stores for under $20.00. These can be set to cover a fairly large spread. It is recommended that you install lights outside every doorway to the house. If there is a side of the house that tends to be very dark it might be a good idea to install a light there as well to prevent concealment in the shadows.
Home Security Tip #2
If you have a privacy fence around your property this can give the feeling of security but this is not necessarily the case. Security fences can actually provide a safe opportunity for a thief to work his way into your home. Once inside the perimeter of the fence the thief can work on entry to your home without being seen by neighbors or people passing by. Install motioned sensor controlled security lights outside within the fenced area. If there is a gate to the fenced in area make sure if has a secure locking mechanism.
Home Security Tip #3
Install deadbolt locks on every door leading to the outside. The types of locks which have a key in the door knob will not successfully secure a door against a thief or criminal.
Home Security Tip #4
Criminals are less likely to enter through a window because of the noise that breaking glass tends to make. Nevertheless, keep all windows locked at all times. One of the best ways to secure your windows is with glazing. Glazing protects windows against breakage.
Home Security Tip #5
A home security alarm system, which is monitored 24 hours per day, can provide peace of mind around the clock. Alarm systems are always on duty and never sleep. If you shop around you can often find specials which include free equipment and installation in exchange for a two or three year commitment.
If you decide to have an alarm system installed go with a company with a solid history that you can count on. Be sure to test your system on a regular basis. Monitored alarm systems will also sometimes reduce your yearly homeowners insurance premiums. This savings alone might pay for the alarm system.
By taking these simple steps you can decrease your chances of being the victim of a crime while providing your family with a greater sense of security.
Common Sense Home Security Tips
It is not unusual to be concerned about the safety of your house and its valuable assets from the insatiable eyes of the thieves that can strike anytime in your house and wipe you off leaving you empty in your pockets. Therefore, be assured, since thinking about the safety of your house is nothing but natural and the best thing is that you can do a lot to protect your house in that respect.
Just like you take care of your computer by installing the latest anti-viruses, anti-spywares and other firewalls, protecting your house from the burglars is no more different. It is important that you ask yourself some questions, which would help you to determine how safe your house is.
They would include questions like whether you have ladders or any other tools that a thief could use to break into your house, whether you have any sort of alarm which could alert you of any possible break-in, etc. If all these questions point out that your house isn’t safe from the burglars, it is about time that you do something about it.
Firstly, you have got to remember that thieves would generally avoid those homes that are always occupied by residents. However, mistaking this fact to mean that you family would be safe could be the greatest mistake that you could have ever made. Burglars would stop from doing anything, which means that to get to the loot, they could even harm your family.
However, you would be just as helpless when you have been robbed off your belongings when you are not there in your home at all. Now that you know about the risks that involve with respect to a burglary, it is important that you be aware of some common sense that could come a long way with respect to protecting your house as well as its valuable assets from any possible break-in and the best thing about these tips is that it is much more easier than the pain staking installation of the anti-viruses that you do in order to protect your computer systems from any virus threats.
Don’t forget the keys: Handing out the keys of your home even to your friends could be the biggest mistake that you may have ever done. It is important that every family member knows where exactly you keep your keys all the time so that you know what to do if any of them are missing. Never use those traditional techniques of hiding your keys under the mat or in a flower vase, since that’s exactly where the robber would look for them in the first place. And always keep separate key bunch such as for your home, for your car, etc.
Strangers beware: this may seem like the same advice that your mother always gave you when you were a child. Never let any stranger into your house come what may. It is important that you teach your kids to follow this advice all the time. If someone needs some help and asks if he or she wants to make a call, don’t let them in your house. You can make the phone call for them if they really are in any kind of trouble.
Keep your doors and windows locked all the time: This tip goes without sayings that in your absence, always keep your house locked, including your windows. This proves to be a great habit and it greatly reduces any chances of any break-ins. Locking the windows would also include locking the windows of your attic.
Don’t show off your valuables: Your house is your home and not a museum or a jewelry shop where you put up all the valuables on display. Doing this is only inviting unwanted attention from the criminals who lurk around your neighborhood looking for an opportunity to strike big.
The last tip and probably the most important one would be to remain alert all the time. Home security systems are a good investment and if you don’t already have one, go get one right away.
Tips for Preventing False Alarms with Your Home Security Alarm System
You may not think that a false alarm on your home security alarm system is a big deal but more and more home security alarm providers and local police departments are beginning to impose fines when home security alarm systems are tripped without cause on more than one occasion. It is estimated that as many as 95% of all alarms are false alarms.
While this may sound reassuring to homeowners, it can be costly to home security alarm system providers and local police departments. It is a waste of their resources when they respond to a false home security alarm. This is why many home security alarm providers and police departments are beginning to levy fines for excessive false alarms.
Homeowners should understand how their home security alarm system works in order to avoid future false alarms. A common cause of false alarms in home security alarm systems with motion detectors is mistakes made by the homeowner. If your home security alarm system has motion detectors you should not place hanging plants near the motion detectors. If they sway while the motion detectors are activated your home security alarm system could be falsely triggered.
Also, if you have pets secure them in a room that does not have motion detectors so that they will not contribute to false alarms. Blinds and curtains could also cause a false alarm. Moving air expelled from air vents could allow blinds and curtains to sway just enough to trip the motion detectors on your home security alarm system. You should ensure that your curtains and blinds are not in a position where they can be moved by the air from the vents.
Other tips for avoiding false alarms in your home security alarm system are related to common sense. For example, you should ensure that each person who has authority to enter your home is aware of how to deactivate the alarm when they enter the property. Anyone who is able to enter your property should know how to deactivate the alarm system so that they do not cause a false alarm by entering the home and not deactivating the system.
You should not only tell each person how to disarm the home security alarm system but you should also allow them to practicing arming and disarming the home security alarm system so that they will have no trouble when they need to enter the property. Also, keeping your doors and windows in good working condition can help to avoid false alarms in your home security alarm system. If your door or window is not functioning properly, it could trigger a false alarm.
Responding to false alarms from home security alarm systems is costly to the local police. When home security alarm systems trigger without cause, the police waste time and resources responding to these alarms. For this reason, homeowners should be diligent about avoiding false alarms with their home security alarm system.
Hello, lovely readers! I’m Sheila Collins, and I’m delighted to be your trusted guide on this exciting journey of home improvement, design, and lifestyle. As the founder and editor-in-chief of Home Guide Blog, I’m passionate about all things related to homes, and I’m here to share my knowledge, experiences, and insights with you.
