More Ways to Make Yourself Safe in Your Home

Installing a home security system is one of the best ways to make yourself safer in your house. Not only does the simple fact that you have one serve as a deterrent to people who might want to break into your house, but you also have access to emergency services at the push of your panic button. Most home security system are monitored by an off-site third party, which means even when you can’t watch over your house yourself, someone is watching it for you.

While installing a home security system can be expensive, there are some cheap or even free ways to make yourself safer in your own home. So, if you can’t yet afford to get an alarm system installed in your house, you can still take some steps to secure it as much as possible.

First, only list your last name and first initial in the telephone book. This is especially helpful if you are a single woman living alone. Burglars have been known to look in the phone book for female names because that has traditionally indicated an unmarried woman living by herself. While this is not always the case these days, it can still make you less of a target by doing it.

If you return home from work or from being out and you see signs of a break-in, do not enter your house. Walk to a neighbor’s house and call the police. Some signs that your house is no longer secure are broken windows, an open door, or out-of-place belongings.

When you go to sell your home, do not allow people to come in without a real estate agent in tow. This is because many home invasions occur because the homeowner let the criminal in and never even suspected he or she intended to do harm. Don’t give would-be burglars an easy opportunity to access your home, such as holding the door open for them.

When your telephone rings, simply answer “hello?” Do not state your name or give the caller your number if he asks “what number did I dial?” Always have the caller repeat the number if he says he dialed the wrong number. Do not give any personal information to anyone who calls you and do not indicate that you are home alone.

Always report abusive or threatening telephone calls to the police if they are occurring on a continual basis. Keep a log of all the calls you receive, which can help the phone company determine who is making the calls if it becomes necessary to do so.

These are just some basic ways to help keep you safer in your house. There are other, more complicated steps you can take, but just by taking these simple actions, you are already on the road to having peace of mind in your own home.

About the Author

John is a shrewd consumer who writes about personal finance, home technology and home security topics like: Sacramento home security systems and security systems New York, NY.

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