10 PRACTICAL HOME SECURITY TIPS THAT YOU CAN USE TODAY

A burglar is out for one thing: to find a home that is easy to enter. If your home appears too difficult or the risk of being caught is too great, they will move on to the next house. It does not take a lot to make your home appear intimidating to burglars – in fact, it is very simple. Unfortunately, too many homeowners ignore these super simple security tips that could significantly reduce the likelihood their home is robbed in the future.

Everybody loves a top 10 list, so here’s our checklist for living safely!

10 Simple Home Security Tips That You Can Use Today

1. Locking Doors and Windows – Before you leave your home or go to bed, lock the doors and windows of your home. If you have a home automation system, use your computer or smartphone to remotely lock your doors if you forget to do so before leaving.
2. Use a Home Security System – A home security system is your best defense against burglaries. There are numerous systems available that can be customized to your home and budget. Your local home security company can help you choose one. Simply installing it is not enough – you must also activate it!
3. Check the Locks – Locks need maintenance just like every other area of your home. Be sure to install deadbolt locks on outside doors, use the right locks on sliding doors and secure dog/cat entrances when you are away.
4. Occupied, Even When Vacant – Regardless if you are home, your house should appear occupied. That means turning lights on at night and having them turn off with a timer (if you will not be home in time to turn them off).
5. Reduce Shrubbery – One thing burglars look for is how easily they can hide around the perimeter of your property. Cut back shrubs and trees, especially those near upper levels and windows, so that burglars have nowhere to hide.
6. Secure Your Garage – Your garage has an entrance into your home, and it’s a common target for burglars. Secure your garage just like you do your home. Park your car in the garage too, if you can, as this will make it harder for burglars to tell when you are home and when you are out.
7. Lights – Use exterior lights and schedule them to turn on when the sun sets. Use motion sensing lights for dark areas on the lawn too.
8. Mail – If you go out of town, stop your mail delivery or have a neighbor pick it up for you. Mail that builds up in the box tells burglars right away that no one is home.
9. Outdoor Wires – Make sure the telephone lines and electrical wires are not easily accessible by burglars. Burglars will usually attempt to disarm security systems by cutting these.
10. Change the Locks – If you lose your house keys, move into a new home or have someone move out of your home, change the locks on the doors.

Original Article Here: 10 PRACTICAL HOME SECURITY TIPS THAT YOU CAN USE TODAY

Related Article Here: 8 Home Security Tips You Never Thought Of

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Locksmith & Key Oak Park: What to Do to Prevent Lockouts

Being locked out is not one of the coolest things that you will ever experience. On the contrary, it may be one of the worst experiences that you will ever have to face. It usually tends to happen in the most inconvenient times and sometimes it occurs at some very odd hours.  

Locksmith & Key Oak Park in Oak Park is one of those locksmith companies that you can count on if you ever experience a lockout. We can be there within minutes to assist you once you are in any of the areas that we service. Unfortunately, if you are outside of these areas, you will have to find a locksmith in your area that you can trust. Hopefully, this will not be a very difficult task for you.  

So, You’re Locked Out? 

There are many reasons why you may find yourself on the opposite side of the door rather than safe and sound inside your car, home or business. Perhaps you have lost your keys, broken them or you just cannot find them anywhere.  

You may think that the easiest problem to fix here is the misplaced keys. However, finding misplaced keys can be a challenge that some persons never win. Sometimes, it is only after ceasing all efforts to find your keys that they finally reveal themselves. It’s almost as if they really did not want to be found.  

Lost keys and broken keys are similar problems. How come? Well, in both cases, you may end up seeking professional assistance. If you are one of the lucky ones, you may have a spare key. If you don’t, your problems may have just been magnified a little bit more.  

What Should You Do If You’re Locked Out?  

Realizing that you cannot open a locked door can be a very frightening experience. As a result, many people who get locked out tend to panic first. Instead of calling a loved one or calling someone to get some advice, some people break down in tears, others start freaking out and then there are those people that just freeze in disbelief.  

There is really no need for you to start panicking. There are many ways to get through a lock out. In fact, on many occasions after you think that you are locked out, you may realize that there is an alternate route to get you safely inside. 

So, here are some things that you should do if you think that you are locked out. It doesn’t matter if it is your home, car, business or elsewhere.  

• Check other points of entry 

This may seem a bit redundant. Of course, people would check other entry points before they determine that they are locked out. Well, that’s what we all would think. When you are in the situation, your thought process can be a bit impeded. Not everyone will think of checking for other entry points. Once they try to open the main door that they are accustomed to, many people will start panicking if it cannot be opened. If there are no other open doors, check for windows. You may gain entry from an open window that is nearby.  

• Try to remember if you have any spare keys 

Spare keys can be a big help during a lockout. But, that’s only if you can remember that you have them somewhere. Although it may be difficult to stop for a moment and gather your thoughts, try very hard to do so. You may just remember about a spare key that can save you some locksmith costs.  

• Call your local locksmith 

If there is no way for you to get inside, call your locksmith right away. 

Now That You Know What to Do, What About the Things That You Should NOT Do? 

As hard as it may be, and as tempting as it may seem, there are few things that you should totally avoid if you are locked out. Unfortunately, there are many people who practice these things. Some are luckier than others so some people may be able to escape the negative effects of their actions. However, do not attempt these things.  

• Do not break windows or doors 

Ok. So, it’s your house, your car or your business and you can do as you please. That’s completely correct. However, breaking windows or doors can end up being much more expensive than simply calling a locksmith for help. Yes, you want to get inside quickly and yes you panicked and did the first thing that came to mind. But, this should never be your first or last resort. There must be some affordable locksmiths in your area that can respond to a lockout quickly.  

• Do not damage your locks 

Yes, we get it. It’s not a big deal to replace your locks. But, have you ever considered the cost of a new lock in comparison to the cost of a locksmith? Often, locksmith prices are more inexpensive. Plus, if you aren’t able to replace that lock immediately, you will leave your property vulnerable to criminal elements.  

So, Can You Really Prevent a Lockout? 

There’s one way that you can avoid calling the locksmith, breaking down windows and doors, having a panic attack and much more. You can try not to get locked out! Easier said than done, right?  

No matter how careful we are, everyone is prone to being locked out at some point or another. Some people may go throughout their entire adult life without being locked out. Kudos to them! But, for the rest of us, we may face a lockout several times in our lives. So what steps can we take to prevent these unfortunate situations? Here are a few. 

• Keep spare keys nearby 

It doesn’t matter if you hide it or give it to someone for safe keeping. Just make sure that you can access it whenever necessary. 

• Be very careful with your keys 

There are key finders and keychains that help to prevent loss of keys, misplaced keys and much more. Find something that works for you. 

But, if you ever find that you are locked out, call Locksmith & Key Oak Park in Oak Park!

10 Cold Weather Security Tips

When the temperatures start taking a southward turn, there are certain things that are worth appreciating—the pretty snow, a cozy fire, all those decadent cold-weather flavors we love (even breakfast cereal is pumpkin flavored these days). It’s a great time to slow down a touch and revel in the comforting sounds, smells, and sights that get ushered in with the cold weather. Though it’s easy to stay huddled inside surrounded by warmth, those cozy feelings are only as good as your winter safety preparedness. Give your home a little extra attention with our winter safety tips so that you don’t fall prey to a false sense of security.

Cold weather safety tips

Keep roads and driveways shoveled.

Snow and ice are obvious road hazards, but they can also obstruct the pathways and view to your home. To help keep your family safe this winter, make sure you keep walkways, driveways, and the view to your home clear of the pretty white fluffy stuff.

Avoid unknown visitors and solicitors.

It’s never a good idea to open your door if you don’t know the identity of your visitor or his purpose for being at your home. This is even more important in the winter when days are shorter and the streets are less likely to be populated by your neighbors. Items like the Ring doorbell can help you keep an eye on who is at your front door without having to open the door.

Use lighting to mimic normal activity.

Lighting is always a helpful deterrent when it comes to cold weather safety. But according to NPR, lighting is more effective if it mimics real activity. Try motion detectors and timers to help you achieve an effective schedule for keeping your pathways lit.

Avoid social media travel plans.

We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again. Don’t post your travel plans on social media. If you post your plans before you leave, you are advertising that your home will be empty—almost like an open invitation for a home invader.

Don’t leave your car running to warm it up before leaving.

This simple cold-weather safety tip could save you the serious hassle of having to track down a stolen car. Try parking your car in a garage so that it doesn’t require warming up. If that isn’t possible, throw on a heavy coat and brave the cold temperatures. If you insist on a warm up, at the very least, leave it in a well-lit area with a clear line of sight.

Have a backup power supply.

Outages can be particularly troublesome from a winter safety perspective because of the severe temperatures. Keeping a generator or backup power supply on hand will help you get through those outages and could keep your alarm system up and running.

Keep holidays purchases out of plain sight:

With winter comes the holidays, which typically means lots of high-dollar purchases in the home. To truly practice winter safety, store your purchases out of sight both before and after the presents are opened.

Read more at: 10 Cold Weather Security Tips

Related Article Here: 6 Cold Weather Security Tips to Keep Your Home Safe and Warm

Many of us would love to travel during winter season. Yet, before you plan it out, consider the safety of your home first before leaving. By investing and asking for the residential locksmith services at Locksmith & Key Oak Park, you can be at ease while you are in vacation!