HOME SECURITY
Home Security Tips and Sources For Your Peace of Mind
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Do-It-Yourself Home Security
There are many things you can do yourself to make your home secure. Making sure your home has good door and window locks and that you use them; have good outdoor lighting, including motion-sensor lighting in many places outside your home, making your home looked lived in when you're gone, by having timers on lights--these are some of the things you can do yourself to make your home more secure. A burglar counts on being able to make a quick entry and escape, so if he has to work a few extra minutes trying to break in to your home, he'll probably look for an easier mark. He also isn't going to want to work in bright light, so the motion-sensor lighting in strategic places around the house will also be a deterrent.
Home Security Systems
Home security systems include sensors on outside doors and windows, motion detectors for inside your home, an alarm that will sound if triggered by an intruder, and a way to report this to the alarm company as well as the police. Here are some of our favorite choices for home security systems.
- Brinks Home Security provides customized home security surveillance systems, with services and products including burglar alarms, smoke detectors, intrusion detection, and other security products for house or home.
- Monitronics offers custom home security packages to fit your needs. Their systems can be customized with as many door and window sensors as you need. Their systems can also be monitored to turn lights, TV's and other electronic devices on and off when you're gone, to give the illusion that someone is home.
- Protect America offers home security packages that will protect your home, apartment, or small business and fit your budget.
- Home Security Store specializes in home security systems, wireless security systems and home security cameras by top name companies like Ademco, GE Security, DSC, and Visonic.
Ten Home Security Tips
Keep all doors and windows securely locked. Statistics say that most burglars were able to enter through an open or unlocked door or window.
Secure sliding glass doors and windows with a metal rod or heavy wooden dowel.
Always lock the door from the attached garage to the house. Don't depend on your automatic garage door opener to keep your home secure.
When you are away from home, create the illusion that someone is there. Put some lights, a radio or TV on timers to turn on and off.
Keep the outside of your house well-lit, including motion sensor lights. If your home is well-lit, it will deter a burglar.
Don't leave clues that you are on vacation. Have your mail and newspapers held or a trusted neighbor pick it up; ask a neighbor to park in your driveway.
Leave curtains or blinds open in some windows to maintain an everyday appearance.
Don't leave a message on your answering machine that you're not home. A message that you'll return at a certain time will leave your house open to intrusion.
Keep hedges and shrubbery trimmed away from entrances and walkways. Burglars love it when they have a hiding place near a break-in point.
Organize a neighborhood watch for your neighborhood. If your neighbors are participating, your neighborhood will be a safer place to live and play.