As a single woman, it is essential that you have a good home security system, especially if you do not know how to defend yourself. Instead of living in fear, you can follow many simple procedures to make your feel safer. Keep reading to learn more about home security.
Make your house look like it’s always occupied. There are timers you can use to make electronics turn on and off at random times. This makes it appear that someone is home. This helps you keep your house burglar-free.
Be smart about where you decide to hide spare keys. Too many people put their extra key under the mat in front of their door; burglars know to check there. A better place to keep your key is inside your outside dog’s collar.
When you’re going away, turn off your phone ringers. If the phone rings when you are away, burglars will know there’s nobody home, making the house vulnerable to a break-in when you are out.
Don’t allow anyone you don’t know to look into your house. This includes a salesperson or people looking for help. Some people just want to know if there is a security system so they can plan on coming back later or not.
You should always park your car inside your garage instead of using your garage to store some belongings. Keeping your car secured will prevent people from vandalizing it. Keeping your car out of sight is also a good way to prevent intruders from determining whether or not you are home.
It doesn’t matter how much money you spent, you should have an annual test. Ask someone from your security company to come over and have a look. Many factors cause issues with security systems like nature and wild animals. If you cannot see a problem, you might not know one exists.
Get to know your neighbors. Meet your neighbors. You’ll find that friendly neighbors make for a powerful support network. Keep an eye on their properties and they’ll respond in kind. Don’t ignore any gossip either. You never know what sort of security issues you might become privy to.
Those that live in rural area are not as concerned about having their home invaded as those who are located in the city. The risk is still there, so a home security system is vital. Still, many believe that rural environments are less frequently targeted by burglars.
Ask about the history of any home security company you are considering. A long-standing company has a track record in the industry that people can attest to. It’s good to know that the company won’t disappear overnight and leave your home unprotected.
A dog is a great alarm system. They generally bark when someone comes close to their property. You will get good results even if you do not have a large or vicious dog. Small dogs are noisy and unpredictable and very good at deterring burglars.
Your security company might give you the option to lease and eventually buy your security equipment. Purchasing your equipment may cost more in the beginning, but this is a one-time cost which does not recur. Leasing usually proves cheaper at first, but it comes with strings attached through contracts or continuing fees and charges. Investigate each option and determine which makes more sense.
Don’t hide your key somewhere obvious. Everyone knows about fake rocks. Many people also know to check under the welcome mat. A safer option is entrusting a neighbor or one of your most trusted friends to keep your spare key. If you cannot do that, at least find an unusual place to hide the key.
If you use a door lock with a numeric keypad, do not use your birthday as the pass code. Your birth date is easy information to obtain. Use a number you can remember through some trick of memory known only to you, making it difficult for someone else to figure it out.
Battery Changes
If the cost of maintenance is a concern, a hard-wired system may be your best choice. Wireless set-ups need battery changes all the time. If you neglect battery changes, your system won’t work. Buying new batteries to replace the old ones can get expensive.
Securing your home and making it into a safe haven does not have to include expensive installations or impatiently waiting for a stranger to install a system. Many easier, cheaper methods exist that can make a big difference. Keep these tips top of mind to help you feel much safer in your house.
Lapo is a smart home, technology, health, wealth, and fitness enthusiast. If he’s not on tour, you’ll find him in New York with his wife and pet parrot hanging out at the park.
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Resources
- Teds Woodworking
- Home Automation
- SmartHome
- ATT.com
- CNN – Smart and Sure Way to Reveal Strangers Lurking in the Dark
- FBI’s Warning About Home Security
