For the majority of people, that sense of safety and protection has always been found in the comfort of their own homes. However, many homeowners fail to take the necessary precautions to secure their homes against illegal entry. Even if you are on a tight budget, there are basic do-it-yourself steps that you can take to better protect your home.
One of the choices you have when you are determined to increase the security of your home is to implement a do-it-yourself home security program. With an install it yourself system, you have the ability to choose what components you can afford. For instance, if you want sensors on every window and door, then that's what you will choose for your system. Because you are the security system designer, you decide what it does.
Little or No Cost Burglar Prevention
There are many ways you can secure your home with little or no cost:
1.) Conduct a security check of your home to determine possible weaknesses
2.) Fake Security Cameras are a cost effective of way of deterring criminals from your home Fake cameras look exactly like real cameras. Quality fake cameras come equipped with a cable and flashing light. Most criminals cannot tell the difference between a real and fake camera.
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3.) Keep all entrances and garages well-lit at night.
4.) Do not advertise that you are away
5.) A wide-angle door viewer allows you to view callers before you open the door
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6.) Never open a door to strangers without credentials. Teach your children this step.
7.) Because burglars can operate on a person's routine, it is important to change your routine frequently.
8.) Do not keep large amounts of money in your home. Mark valuable items for identification
9.) Keep valuables in a safety deposit box at your bank. If this is not possible, keep them locked in a fire proof safe
Front and Back Doors
All exterior doors should be constructed using a solid hard wood or reinforced steel. A good door is useless if its frame is in poor shape. Assess the door jams. It is recommended that you install 2-1/2 to 3 inch stainless steel or nickel plated screws in all exterior door jams. Screws should be driven at least 1-3/4 inch deep into the underlying frame. Many home improvement centers sell quality door reinforcement kits. Supporting the front entrance and back entrance is an important step. Dead bolt locks are available at your local hardware store and they come with easy to follow installation instructions. Upgrading locks is essential, but remember the screws holding the lock and door hinges in place. Remove the short screws and replace them with the 3" screws. Your door will be tightly fastened into the door frame. Upgrade the strike plate on your door jam with a much longer strike plate 10" or 12" and install it with 3" screws. These screws are long enough that they will go right through the door casing and into the frame around your door.
Securing Windows
Most double hung windows have cheap locks which should be replaced by heavy duty locks. Upgrade your locks by installing dead bolt locks. Double dead bolts locks provide the best security. The safest windows are glass block. They are nearly impossible to break and cannot be opened. They are a good choice for basements or areas at or near ground level. A glass-break detector can detect the sound of breaking glass and can be installed in an area in close proximity to doors and windows. Security pins can be added to window frames to prevent easy entry by a burglar. Window locks, even high quality secure windows locks, are inexpensive and an important security requirement.
Patio and Sliding Window Doors
To prevent thieves from lifting the frame from the track, drive a few screws into the top track above where the door or window rests when closed. Don't drive the screws all the way in. The protruding heads make it impossible to lift the door or window out of the frame. You will still be able to remove the door or window for cleaning by sliding it over to the open section.
Downstairs/Basement Areas
No matter what style of window you have in your basement, they're always going to be difficult to secure because their location. Break resistant glass and pins or locks securing the window to the frame will definitely help. Key operated window locks are the securest method to safeguard your windows, but you must ensure that the key is kept somewhere close by and all family members must know precisely where the key it is locate in the event of a fire.
Security Alarms
Wireless do it yourself home security systems can give you a remarkable level of protection. There are many wireless do it yourself home security systems that are supplied as a basic kit. These security kits typically come with a couple of motion detectors, a couple of sensors, along with the control panel and probably a siren. These wireless do it yourself home security systems are not expensive and adding components won't put much of a strain on the bank. Although there is variation among different makes and models of security systems, almost all work the same way. All the keypad consoles are wired to a central control box, usually located in a basement or closet. The control box contains a battery backup, phone wires and wires for a cellular backup.
Neighborhood Watch
One of the best ways to keep your home safe is to establish a neighborhood watch of neighbors to keep an eye on each other's property for suspicious activity. Having other people monitoring your home while you're away is one of the most efficient ways to deter intruders.
Organization is Fundamental Security
Simple changes in your home and your lifestyle can ensure that you never have to worry about break ins. Beginning with a basic do it yourself home security system is better than no protection at all. In the future, you can always add to your set-up to bring it to the level of security you and your family need.
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