This past week, the arrest of Randy Quaid and his wife made for big headlines in the news. It now appears that the couple broke into a home they had sold back in 2007 with the intent to settle in again. Though the couples’ reasons and reasoning remain obscure and it’s unclear how the home was secured, there is much to be learned from this incident. For everybody planning to move into a home with a previous owner, here follow some tips on how to optimize your home security system to protect your property.
- Always change the locks on all doors to the home, as well as entrances to the yard, garage and any other buildings on your property. No matter how trustworthy previous owners may be, keys can get lost over time and tracing whose possession they are in is impossible. Make sure your new locks are deadbolts for the best possible security.
- If your exterior doors are equipped with electronic locks, reset them and choose a unique combination that only you and your family members know. If there’s a master combination, make sure to reset that too. You can find instructions on how to do this in the manual or by contacting the manufacturer.
- Oftentimes, burglars will scout out an unoccupied home to target its weaknesses when new owners move their possessions in. Check the bolts on all windows and sliding glass doors. If any are broken, have them repaired or replaced before you move in.
- If the home is equipped with a home security system, make sure all the equipment is working properly. In addition, contact the home security monitoring company to notify them of the change of ownership and to discuss whether you will be entering into a monitoring contract with them. If you choose to do this, the company will instruct you how to change the codes and passwords on your home security system so nobody else has access to your home. If you choose to employ a new home security company, have a representative come by to map out your home to see whether it is securely monitored, and to check that all equipment is in good working order.
- In the excitement of moving, many people forget about the exterior of their new home. It’s important to not let gaps occur in regular gardening. Be sure all bushes, trees and shrubs are trimmed so as not to provide cover for criminals. Maintenance of exterior lights, especially those by your front and back doors, as well as by your garage, work properly.
Photo via victorfosterono
