5 Tips on How To Better Protect Your Home

home security westlake village5 Tips on How To Better Protect Your Home

So you may be going overseas soon for that vacation you’ve been saving for for months. The question is, will your home be safe and protected from theft and burglary?

These are questions you need to ask yourself before you head off on your great adventure. Because the last thing you want is to come back to an empty house with no signs of the culprit.

Here are some tips to properly safeguard your home while you’re on holiday.

  1. Check to see if your locks are working

    • In a world where criminals can spy on you using small, hovering RC devices known as ‘Drones’, there’s no telling how safe you are anymore. That’s why it’s important to check your locks around the exterior of your house before you leave. Common areas that criminals target are side doors, windows, back doors, climbable trees, tables and front doors without surveillance cameras.
  2. Don’t post about your trip on social media before you leave

    • Another easy way for criminals to gather information on you is through social media and the ‘things’ you share with everyone on the platform, especially if you post every day. So if you’re going on vacation soon, do yourself a favor and refrain from posting about it publicly. If you do decide to post, however, and you post on say, Facebook, for instance, make sure to switch the post audience from ‘public’ to ‘friends excluding friends of friends’ or make a custom post showing it to only your most trusted friends.
  3. Put away expensive looking items

    • Thieves are masters at preparation and timing, and one of the things they’ll usually do first is watch the house for an extended period of time in order to look for patterns in the family’s behavior or items that interest them. Therefore, if anything expensive-looking is visible from any of your windows facing the street, such as a Flat Screen TV. Be sure to move it somewhere else before you take off.
  4. Set the alarm

    • It’s important to be prepared for anything before leaving your home, including keeping it safe through setting your alarm. It may be obvious, but before leaving your home, make sure to fully turn on your security system. Additionally, check the communications so that the system will alert you if something does happen while you’re away.
  5. Install Motion Sensor Lights

    • One of the best ways to ward off potential burglars at night is by installing none other than motion sensor lights. The simple act of a light turning on when someone walks by it at night can startle even the most hardened criminals and make them think twice about what they’re doing. Therefore, putting these bad boys outside your house will definitely keep you safer in the long run.

Boost Home Security With Gizmo Locksmith

Now you have some ideas as to how you can keep your home safe while you’re on your next vacation. If you need any more assistance or help with your home security, give Gizmo Locksmith a call. We have over ten years of experience in the residential sector and are available 24 hours a day to take your call.

We can help you with anything related to your home security such as new lock installation, lock repair/replacement, motion sensor light installation, in-home security consultation, digital door locks, and much more.

 

Best Anti Theft System for Your Vehicle (VATS)

anti theft system westlake village 1-805-522-6111Vehicle Anti Theft System (VATS) Westlake Village 1-805-522-6111

A vehicle anti theft system, or VATS, is a method or device to lower chances of a break in or theft. While there is no guarantee your car will never be broken into, there are ways you can keep your vehicle safe. Most cars already come equipped with an anti theft system but might not always be as effective as other methods. To start off, you will want to decide which system is best for your particular make and model vehicle.

Steering-Wheel Lock:

Also known as “the club”, this is the most standard type of security for your vehicle. The device goes directly on the steering wheel and locks it in place until the key holder removes the lock.

Mechanical Immobilizer:

Immobilizers are designed to prevent the vehicle from starting up unless the correct transponder key is present. This effectively stops car thieves from hot wiring vehicles.

 hood lock westlake villageHood Lock:

This small lock will block access to the hood of the car, making it hard for thieves to remove the battery and sell off parts of the engine.

tire lock westlake villageTire Lock:

This is one of the most noticeable locks, and also one of the most difficult to take off. Consequently, it might not be your number one choice if you’re a daily driver, since it does take some time to put on and take off.

Gearshift Lock:

A small lock that goes over the gearshift. It is effective in locking the gear in park so that anyone who shouldn’t have access to your vehicle will not be able to put the car in drive.

Brake pedal lock:                                                     
This type of lock is placed over brake pedals to stop the brake and gas pedals from being pressed. The idea is that, by not being able to use the pedals, the car will be inoperable to thieves.

kill switch westlake villageKill switch:

Finally, the vehicle’s owner can hide a switch or button inside the car that will only start the engine if pressed. As such, there are a few common kill switches you might want to consider. One is a fuel line switch that stops fuel from going to the engine. Two, a battery disconnect switch that connects to your battery and won’t start unless the hidden switch is flipped.

And last but not least, a fuse box switch that can be installed into the fuse box of your vehicle. There are a few more options, but they can be a little trickier to install.

Improve Your Chances

Choosing the best anti-theft device depends on what security you prefer and the type of vehicle you have. In most cases, these devices can eliminate the chances of someone breaking in to your car and stealing your belongings. If you find yourself in these kinds of situations often, it’s best you consider obtaining an anti-theft system for your car. It can save you from the trouble if it happens again.

Consider hiring a professional locksmith if you’re stuck deciding or are confused on which device would be best for you.