A Cheap Home Security System - Do You Need One?

A cheap home security system is, of course, no security system!  There are tricks and tips to making your home safe without the contracts, equipment and monthly bills from a private service.  These are things that any homeowner should be able to do and perhaps sleep just a little better at night without a costly home alarm.

First of all, take a detailed inventory of your home.  If possible, go from room to room videotaping for a much more accurate recording of your valuables (and not so valuable items).  This will come in handy in the future should the unthinkable happen. 

And while you’re at it, homeowners’ or renters’ insurance is an absolute must.  No one should be without it. In most cases even the best security camera and alarm systems won't help you get your stuff back. Surveillance systems will however help you find who ever is responsible.

Windows are not only the doorway to the world but to your house as well.  Be sure that all windows are tightly locked before you leave the house or go to bed; and just to reduce temptation, be sure that shades, blinds, curtains or drapes are drawn.  If they can’t see what you have, they may not bother.  Because locks are seldom enough, drilling a small hole just above the lower window and inserting a strong nail which sticks out far enough to stop the bottom window from being raised is a great little added security measure.  This might be a good place to install a small burglar alarm that makes noise when the window is moved. There are also security bars which you can install and uninstall at your leisure, but be sure that they have a quick release option in case of fire.

Hiding a key may be a money saver when you don’t have to break a window or call a locksmith, but how much is it going to cost you if a thief gets hold of it?  A good burglar knows all the hiding places and there’s always a chance that one of them has seen you use that hide-a-key, and knows right where you keep it.  In addition, watch how many spare keys you give out.  You Romeo’s out there might want to take it a little easy on handing out all those front door keys to the hotties from the clubs.  Simply put, the more people that have your key, the greater your risk of it falling into the wrong hands, if it hasn’t already.

Light up your life and your home.  Motion activated spotlights on the outside of your house are great ways to let burglars know that they have an increased chance of being noticed, particularly in neighborhoods with neighborhood watch signs in the window.  Indoors, timers on lights are an excellent deterrent against burglars.  Some timers come equipped with double settings; meaning that you can have the lights come on and go off between certain times and then come on and go off again at a different time.  It’s less predictable.  Change it up a little on occasion just in case someone is watching the house, so that the lights don’t come on and go off at the same exact time every single night.

As with windows, door locks are futile.  Oh they’re a nice little deterrent, but any good burglar can figure out how to outwit a lock or simply kick the door in.  Sliding glass doors in particular are a burglary waiting to happen.  Be sure to put a sturdy stick behind the door in the track so that the door cannot be slid back and forth… even if you lock it.  As far as your regular doors go, deadbolts are probably your best bet when it comes to locks.  Door reinforcement plates are a great idea to strengthen the whole locking system.  And don’t forget about your garage door.  When you leave the house for extended periods of time, insert a large bolt through the garage door track to prevent someone from opening it. 

Last but not least, be sure to install the peephole in your doors.  Make them a height that is compatible with everyone in your house, or even install two. With these tips, you don’t even need to consider security systems, let alone search for a cheap home security system!

Sure you can pay a lot of money for a wireless alarm system or any other expensive security camera system. But wireless home security systems can be costly. You can feel safe if you just take the necessary precautions.