Some tips to help you make your home safer and save on insurance too!
This lens is a place for home security information and how proper security can save you some money on your insurance too!
Locks and Security
Simple sercurity items can protect your home and save on insurance!
Use of deadbolt locks makes it harder for a burglar to force his way in. They make the door closure more solid and are harder to pick. They also can't be taped off or moved with a credit card like some regular locks. The "heavy duty" deadbolt has more pins in it and so is even harder to pick. A full-service security system will deter him even further. Always place the security stickers in your windows and sign in your lawn. Also many homeowners and renters insurance will give you a discount for simple things such as deadbolt locks and fire alarms. They will usually give an even greater discount (up to 20%!) for having a sophisticated burglar alarm that rings to a monitoring station (and top of the line fire prevention systems). Although nothing is guaranteed to absolutely protect your home, the harder it is for a burglar to enter, the less likely he'll stay and try!For less than $10.00 you can also purchase security stickers online. Of course they won't be the same as a full system, and won't lower your insurance premiums, but sometimes just having a sticker can be a big deterrent. Just type "security stickers." In your favorite search engine and you can find several. One that I've seen is homesecuritystore.com they have a range of stickers and other security items.
Your home inventory - a necessity!
This can save you thousands of dollars and months of hassle.
A home inventory is where you write down all of your serial numbers for all of the important items in your home. It should also include pictures of every room and every item, reciepts, and ideally a video. There is a right and wrong way to go about this. Cautious adjusters will look for any reason to not pay on a claim, and some fraudulent claims are made by scammers using home inventories so make sure it is professional and thourough.
Every homeowner should have a inventory kept in a safe location. This way if you were to ever experience fire, storm, or theft the inventory can prove what you lost. When a claim is made most insurance's will pay out for things you lost, but if you cannot prove that you owned a 56 in flat screen HD TV after it is gone they will most likely only refund for an average size and model of TV. Everyone has some items that are special and valuable. Protect the value of your valuables by doing a home inventory and keeping it in a safe location (ideally a fire proof safe, or safety deposit box.) or at least keep a copy at a friend or famiy member's house.
Every homeowner should have a inventory kept in a safe location. This way if you were to ever experience fire, storm, or theft the inventory can prove what you lost. When a claim is made most insurance's will pay out for things you lost, but if you cannot prove that you owned a 56 in flat screen HD TV after it is gone they will most likely only refund for an average size and model of TV. Everyone has some items that are special and valuable. Protect the value of your valuables by doing a home inventory and keeping it in a safe location (ideally a fire proof safe, or safety deposit box.) or at least keep a copy at a friend or famiy member's house.
Illumination and Visibility Factors
Darkness and shadows are a burglar's best friend!
With ample lighting your would-be burglar is an obvious dark dressed figure on your lawn!
High fences, trees and shrubs can provide cover for burglars as they attempt to invade your home. If you have these items, then add security by making sure you also have clear spaces around the home where a thief could be easily spotted and feel uncomfortable. The use of motion sensing floodlights is also a great help and deterrant. Rather than only adding one in the front of the home think of adding motion detecting lights in the dark approaches to the home that would look most attractive to a thief. Also if your home is very private, a dog may truly be your best friend and deterrent, or at least a "beware of the dog" sign on your property.
You might also think about using a light-timer to periodically switch on lights around and in the home. This will add illumination and is of course important to give a "lived-in" appearance when you're not home.
Can you look inside your window and see that CD player, silverware collection and Ming vase? Is so chances are a burglar could too, giving him more of a reason to try to rob your house! Keep such valuables out of view and keep blinds and drapes closed in the evening and night when inside lights illuminate what is inside.
High fences, trees and shrubs can provide cover for burglars as they attempt to invade your home. If you have these items, then add security by making sure you also have clear spaces around the home where a thief could be easily spotted and feel uncomfortable. The use of motion sensing floodlights is also a great help and deterrant. Rather than only adding one in the front of the home think of adding motion detecting lights in the dark approaches to the home that would look most attractive to a thief. Also if your home is very private, a dog may truly be your best friend and deterrent, or at least a "beware of the dog" sign on your property.
You might also think about using a light-timer to periodically switch on lights around and in the home. This will add illumination and is of course important to give a "lived-in" appearance when you're not home.
Can you look inside your window and see that CD player, silverware collection and Ming vase? Is so chances are a burglar could too, giving him more of a reason to try to rob your house! Keep such valuables out of view and keep blinds and drapes closed in the evening and night when inside lights illuminate what is inside.
Heath Zenith SL-5318-WH-C 300-Watt Motion-Sensing Shielded Wide-Angle Twin Security Light, White
These are good heavy-duty, bright, motion sensors
Amazon Price: $29.95 (as of 11/21/2008) 
Philips SpotOn LED Motion Sensing Portable Light
This small battery operated light just sticks on a wall. It is mostly useful for indoor security in dark areas like entryways (while you try to get your key in the lock) hallways or closets.
Amazon Price: (as of 11/21/2008)
First Alert PIR720RN Motion Sensing Light Socket
This one is easy to install with existing outdoor lights, just screw it into place in the bulb socket!
Amazon Price: $24.81 (as of 11/21/2008)
If You Go On Vaccation
Some tips and precations if you need to leave home for awhile
A trusted neighbor is probably the best resource you have for deterring burglary. They can keep an eye on things for you when you are not home and continue an illusion of your presence by collecting mail and newspapers, or parking their car in your drive periodically.
Put your newspaper service and mail on hold while away.
One obvious indication of a person away on vacation is a pile of newspapers on their door step. With a simple call you have your service stopped for a week or two while you are on vacation. It costs nothing and will start again when you return. If you will be gone for more than a few days then having your mail service held or delivered elsewhere can also be a good idea, at least have a friend or neighbor occasionally pick it up so it doesn't accumulate and risk tipping thieves off that you are not home.
Get a good light timer that turns your lights on and off occasionally while you are gone. There are many models available and most of them are very easy to set up and use. Some of them will turn lights on and off randomly or at preset times.
Keep your valuables Safe!
Keep valuable belongings (jewelry, papers, certificates etc.) out of sight. If possible, keep them in a safety deposit box away from home. Other valuable items like TV's and radios should be engraved with your social security or driver's license number, which will help police identify your property if it is stolen and subsequently recovered.
Always keep an accurate inventory of valuables.
Thieves target homes whose owners are on vaccation, and fires and other disasters are more likely when there is no one there to protect things. Before you leave make sure that you have an up to date inventory that includes pictures and serial numbers of your belongings. Keep it in a safe place (out of the home is best.) If you ever have to make a claim this inventory will be your best friend and could save you thousands as well as months of hassle.
Put your newspaper service and mail on hold while away.
One obvious indication of a person away on vacation is a pile of newspapers on their door step. With a simple call you have your service stopped for a week or two while you are on vacation. It costs nothing and will start again when you return. If you will be gone for more than a few days then having your mail service held or delivered elsewhere can also be a good idea, at least have a friend or neighbor occasionally pick it up so it doesn't accumulate and risk tipping thieves off that you are not home.
Get a good light timer that turns your lights on and off occasionally while you are gone. There are many models available and most of them are very easy to set up and use. Some of them will turn lights on and off randomly or at preset times.
Keep your valuables Safe!
Keep valuable belongings (jewelry, papers, certificates etc.) out of sight. If possible, keep them in a safety deposit box away from home. Other valuable items like TV's and radios should be engraved with your social security or driver's license number, which will help police identify your property if it is stolen and subsequently recovered.
Always keep an accurate inventory of valuables.
Thieves target homes whose owners are on vaccation, and fires and other disasters are more likely when there is no one there to protect things. Before you leave make sure that you have an up to date inventory that includes pictures and serial numbers of your belongings. Keep it in a safe place (out of the home is best.) If you ever have to make a claim this inventory will be your best friend and could save you thousands as well as months of hassle.
X10 LCD Mini Timer 64 Event
Amazon Price: $39.99 (as of 11/21/2008)
Portable Diamond-Tipped Engraver Pen - Writes on Any Surface - As Easy to Use As a Pen!
Use this to engrave your driver's license number on items most likely to be stolen, like laptops and tools.
Amazon Price: (as of 11/21/2008)
Home security stuff from ebay
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