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home security tips

Enhance Your Home Security

Home burglaries happen more often that we would like to think. While we want to protect our home, families, and our possessions, our security measures may be lacking. Here are some ways you can enhance your safety and secure your home.

Landscape
Walk around your property to identify and eliminate potential hiding spots for thieves. Clear away any overgrown areas and maintain your landscape.

Police
Speak with your local police department as they can offer insight on break-in trends in your area.

Neighbors
Take the time to get to know your neighbors and engage with people in your neighborhood. You can use each other as allies to watch for any suspicious activities or keep a look out when you’re away.

Lighting
Outdoor lighting can play a key role in your home security. Installing motion-sensor lights around your property can enhance your safety and prevent your home from being targeted by thieves. For indoor lighting, you may want to consider implementing timers or smart light bulbs that can be controlled remotely. This will allow you to make it appear as if you are home even when you’re away.

Shopping
Online shopping is convenient, but can also draw the attention of thieves. To deter porch pirates, have your packages sent elsewhere or require a signature for delivery. In addition, your trash may give away that you recently purchased a new computer or flat-screen television. Be sure to break down boxes and keep your trash inconspicuous.

Safety Routine
Establish a routine of regularly locking all doors, shutting windows, and arming your alarm system when you leave your home. And avoid leaving a spare key outside as thieves are privy to common hiding spots. Instead, leave a spare with a trusted friend or neighbor.

Visibility
Be sure that you can see who is at your front door without opening it, whether it be through a peephole, window, or a video doorbell. Do not place valuables where they can be seen from the street and keep your alarm system panel out of sight from windows so that people outside cannot see you arming it.

Outdoor Valuables
Anything outdoors is an easier steal. Sheds, garages, and other outdoor buildings are prime targets, as they are usually easier to access and contain valuables. Be sure to secure your grill, lawn mower, bicycles, and other outdoor gear.

Vacation
Going away? Hold your mail and deliveries, and ask a friend or neighbor to remove flyers from your property. If it’s for an extended period of time, arrange for snow removal and lawn mowing to keep up the appearance that you are home.

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Home Security: Mistakes To Avoid

You may think you are taking all the necessary precautions to keep your home safe, but you may be unaware that you are making some simple mistakes. Here are some common missteps that may be putting your home at risk.

  • Location
    Sometimes the location of your house can influence your risk for burglary. If your home is located on a busy street with high-visibility, you have less chances of your home being targeted – there’s simply too much risk of being seen and caught in the act. Unfortunately, better burglary targets are townhomes, houses in the middle of the block, and homes on cul-de-sacs. If your property backs up to a forest, open lot, or other unguarded area, be sure to take the necessary precautions and install high fences and lots of lighting.
  • Garbage
    Did you know electronics are second to cash when it comes to the things burglars look for? Don’t leave big boxes from your expensive electronics visible from the street. This is a telltale sign that you’ve got shiny, new electronics ripe for picking. Take the extra time to break down the boxes and make sure labels cannot be seen.
  • Mail
    An overflowing mailbox is a sure sign that someone is out of town. The same goes for newspapers piling up on your driveway. You can arrange for someone you know and trust to pick up your mail or place a temporary hold on your mail and newspapers while you’re away.
  • Yard
    Your yard can give away many clues as to what may be inside your home. Before you go on vacation, be sure you have mowed the lawn and trimmed your bushes and that you have a plan to upkeep these appearances until you return home. Burglars will pay attention to uncut lawns, and overgrown bushes allow for a place to easily hide. In addition, if you live in an area where snowfall is possible, arrange for someone to create car and foot tracks into the house.If your children’s toys are left out, they are at risk of being stolen, and they give burglars insight to what type of valuables they may find inside. With children present, there may be an expensive gaming console or other electronics, and mommy and daddy may have expensive jewelry hidden away inside.Lastly, you don’t want to make it easy for thieves to access your home so be sure to put your ladder and tools away and refrain from leaving stools or chairs in your backyard. This makes it easier for them to gain access to a second story window that may not be locked.
  • Lock Up
    Speaking of locks, more often than not, burglars enter homes through unlocked doors and windows. So it is worth mentioning – Do not forget to lock your doors and windows. And that goes for all doors or entryways, such as the front and back doors along with the garage doors. Whether your garage door leads into your home or backyard, be sure to lock it because the bad guys will try anything and everything to get to your valuables.And because they will try anything, do not forget to secure your dog door while you’re away. And you may forget, but it’s smart to secure patio doors as well since they are fairly easy to pick. The easiest and most inexpensive way is putting a heavy duty stick in the door track, however, there are locks which fasten along the top and bottom of the door and are less of an eyesore and inconvenience.
  • Windows
    Much like doors, windows provide another point of entry, albeit less convenient. You may want to crack a window to cool down the house without cranking the A/C, however, if you neglect to close it when you leave, you are making is too easy for someone to enter your home. Along the same lines, if you have a window A/C unit, it is easy for thieves to knock it out and climb in through the window.Aside from locking them, you should consider the visibility of the inside of your home from your windows. You should leave a mix of open, partially open, and closed blinds, but choose wisely. Avoid leaving blinds open near your valuables and electronics. Leaving some blinds partially open allows for some privacy and security while letting interior light out, and vice versa.
  • Keys
    Leaving a spare key around in case of emergency is a good idea in theory, however, thieves are often privy to the usual hiding spots. If you must hide a spare key, avoid the obvious areas and think outside of the box.Additionally, don’t keep your keys on a hook next to the door nor should they be visible from outside. And do not keep your garage door opener in your car. Whether your car gets broken into at home or elsewhere, the burglar knows your address is printed on the registration card. Invest in a keychain remote for added security.
  • Visitors
    Be wary of those you invite into your home. Whether they are friends of friends or hired help, word can spread quickly about what’s inside your home. While those who enter your home may not be thieves themselves, they may pass information along to someone looking for some quick cash.
  • Social Media
    Social media is a tricky thing. While you want to share highlights from your vacation with friends and family, be sure you are being smart about it. Refrain from posting those vacation photos as it clearly tells others that you are away from home, making your property a prime target. Instead, be sure your profiles are not public and wait to post those vacation pictures until after you have returned home.

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For an affordable, quality home security system, visit SecurityCamExpert.com or call 888-203-6294! We are happy to provide you with a free quote, schedule a site survey, or assist you with any questions you may have.

Home Security Tips For The Holidays & Every Day

Going away for the holidays? Be sure your home is safe and secure while you’re away. Follow these home security tips to minimize your chances of being targeted by thieves.

  • Do you have a neighborhood watch group? Inform them of your vacation and enlist their help to keep an extra watchful eye out for suspicious behavior. If you don’t have a formal group, ask a trusted friend or neighbor to periodically check up on your home.
  • Remember that unchecked mail is often a red flag. If possible, stop mail and/or newspaper delivery while you’re away. Or, if you’re having someone check up on your home, they can pick up any packages, newspapers, or mail so that it does not accumulate.
  • Make sure that any possible entry way is locked and secured. If weaknesses exist, such as broken locks or cracked doors or windows, repair those before departure. Reinforce any sliding doors and be sure that all windows are locked, even second story windows.
  • Don’t leave your valuables in plain sight. Not just your expensive jewelry or watches, but your devices like your laptops or flat screen TVs. Burglars will often ‘case the joint’ to see if it is worthwhile, so be sure to close your blinds or drapes to conceal what’s inside your home.
  • Make it look like you never left. Use automatic light timers for your holiday lights and/or indoor lights and keep a car in the driveway. This will make it appear that you are still home.
  • As tempting as it is to update your social media, this is an easy way for burglars to keep track of your every move. If you must update, keep it vague so people don’t know when or how long you’re gone.

Another way to secure your home is to install surveillance cameras. You can keep an eye on your property in real time with a high quality security camera system from SecurityCamExpert.com. Browse our selection of security cameras and surveillance equipment online, or call 1-888-203-6294 to speak with a representative directly. Don’t forget to ask about our installation services, too!

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Improve Your Home Security

Unfortunately, burglaries happen more often than we would like to think. You may think your home is safe and well protected, but when there’s a will, there’s a way. With the proper deterrents, you could keep your home and your loved ones safe. Review your home security and take heed of these security tips.

Door Security
You’ve seen it in the movies and on television many times – a swift kick to the door and it swings right open. The weakest point of your door is where the deadbolt lock inserts into the doorjamb. If your locks are poorly reinforced, a forceful kick is all it takes to get into your home.

To properly reinforce your door, be sure that the screws holding the strike plate in place are at least 3 inches long. The longer the screws are, the better resistance from blunt forces.

Another way to protect your door is to invest in a doorjamb and strike plate reinforcement kits. These affordable kits provide steel guards and steel strike plates for more protection.

Smart Locks
Are you prone to losing, misplacing, or forgetting your keys? Smart locks might be the answer for you. Smart locks allow you to lock and unlock your doors with either a keypad, finger scan, or your mobile device rather than with physical keys. These smart locks can be costly, but they offer convenience and can replace your current locks with minimal effort.

Loud Peel-And-Stick Alarms
If you’re looking for a cost-effective alternative to a complete alarm system, you might want to consider loud door and window alarms. While they do not automatically alert authorities, they will produce a deafening sound to alert you or anyone nearby and scare intruders away.

Patio Doors
Did you ever add extra protection to your patio door by using a bat or a piece of wood to block the sliding track? Well, there’s an easier way to do that now. Patio door locks act like vertical deadbolts for your sliding doors. Some can even be activated by foot so you don’t have to reach down to manually lock and unlock your door.

Secure Your Perimeter
Keep the perimeter of your property neat and trimmed so that burglars can’t hideout behind trees or bushes. Bright lights can also help to prevent burglars from sneaking around. Place motion sensor lights around your property, focusing on poorly lit areas and points of entry. They will turn on when motion is detected, informing you that there is someone outside and will likely startle any potential intruders.

Security Mailbox
Mail theft may be the furthest thing from your mind, but the consequences can be quite severe. Because mailboxes are usually easily accessible, thieves can get a hold of your personal information and possibly steal your identity. Security mailboxes are much like traditional mailboxes, but they are usually made of heavy duty steel and require a key to open and access its contents.

Hide Your Safe
Storing valuables in a safe is smart, but it is also what burglars will look for. Be sure that your safe is always locked and not easily visible. It is also wise to bolt it to the floor in an inconspicuous area. You may even want to cover it with furniture to make it even harder to find.

Indoor Surveillance
Keep an eye on the inside of your home with indoor security cameras. You can go for a simple and inexpensive webcam, or opt for a more advanced security camera with features like night vision or high resolution.

For a great selection of security cameras and surveillance equipment, visit us online or give us a call at 1-888-203-6294.

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