What to do to Make Your Home Less Appealing to Burglars

Here are some things to do or changes to make that will make your residence less attractive to burglars.

1. Install extra lighting in dark areas of the exterior of your property.
2. Never leave an extra key outside your house in a so called hiding place.
3. Keep your windows clear of trees and shrubs.
4. Never leave tools or ladders outside your home unattended.
5. Add self-tapping screws to the top frame of your sliding doors. This will all not allow the door to be lifted.
6. Keep your car locked while at home.
7. Do not have signs posted with your name on as thieves can call to see if you are at home.
8. Create a record of your home and contents and have them stored off-site in a secure location, such as a bank deposit box.
9. Might think about getting a dog.
10. Securing your outside sheds, garage or basement.
11. Invest in a home security system and post their signs.

These are some great tips to help make your home and contents more secure.

How Secure is Your Home & the Contents?

Fewer than 10% of stolen goods recovered by the police remain unclaimed as there is often no record of the owner's ID on the item, or no personal data on the stolen goods has been forwarded to the authorities. This is where an accurate home inventory record would be important.

Most homeowners are concerned about the security of their home and theft prevention. A burglary takes place in the U.S. every 14.6 seconds according to the Uniform Crime Reporting Program Crime Clock. Of great concern to homeowners is the thought of losing precious heirlooms.

Here are some tips in securing your home and contents:

• Install deadlocks on all external doors and windows.
• Installing security doors, peep holes and a chain lock as an added security measure.
• Fitting double sided locking handles and door bolts to sliding doors.
• ID tagging all valuables, such as engraving or using a UV marker.
• Adding sensor lights.
• Maintaining accurate home inventory records.

Of course there are other precautions that can be taken, but these make a great start.

Know Your Handyman Before Disaster Strikes!

If you have ever been through a hurricane where your property is damaged can be a very tramatic time. You must deal with your insurance company over the damages and remember to make this process proceed quickly it is best to have a home inventory of your home's belongings. This will definitely speed up the claim process.

Now you have to deal with the damage and who to call. It is best to select and get to know a handyman before disaster strikes. You should check out a contractor before pouring money into your home repairs. Before you hire anyone, you will want to check them out by calling (850) 487-1395 or visit the Department of Business and Professional Regulation for Florida. Each state should have an office of this type.

Clues that your Contractor may not have a License:

1. If Contractor only displays an occupational license.
2. If Contractor is only willing to work on weekends or after hours.
3. Requests a large down payment before work begins.
4. Contractor asks customer to obtain the permit or another person pulls the permit. This may signal the contractor is unlicensed, since unlicensed contractors cannot pull permits.
5. Contractor not willing to sign a contract.
6. Contractor cannot show proof of insurance.
7. Contractor states the job doesn't require a permit.
   
8. Contractor ask for the check to be made out to an individual instead of the company.
9. Contractor has no license number on vehicle, business card or other promotional material

You can never be to careful. Plan now before disaster hits!