Do you know anything about installing home security systems? If you don’t know about home security, it’s time to become educated. This is a very costly investment that is important to your home’s safety, so make sure to read on and learn.

Create the illusion that your home is constantly occupied. Buy timers so things will go on and off at different times. Potential intruders will stay away from your home if they believe someone is inside. This is great for keeping a home safer from burglaries.

Only allow maids and cleaning services to have a key to the house if they are known to be trustworthy. Before you give a cleaner full access to your home for extended periods of time, you have to be certain that they’re trustworthy and reliable. Ask for references and check them thoroughly. If it is a known company, check with your local BBB.

Do you have an outside dog? Your pet might just be the perfect place to stash a spare key to your home. Put the key on the dog’s collar. If you have a pet that does not trust strangers, this can help you get into your house if needed.

If you have an extensive online presence that includes a lot of people you don’t know too well, avoid announcing upcoming vacations. While these platforms are there for sharing, this is announcing to the world that your home is an open target.

Shop around when looking for a good home security system. Each company has different rates for their security system. Try to get two or three quotes before making a decision.

Whenever you are selecting a home security company, make sure you go with your gut feelings. If you don’t feel comfortable with the technician, don’t allow them access to your home. Ask the company to send a different installer or simply change companies. You need to feel secure with the entire process.

Walls are the perfect place to hide. Concealing small valuables in your walls is an easy and highly effective way to protect them. Just access unused switch plates, outlets or phone jacks. If you do not have any unused plates, it is easy to install a false one.

Before agreeing to work with a security company, check with your friends and family for recommendations. Most will be willing to share their likes, loves and loathes, especially as they realize how important it is to you. Make broad inquiries so that you are able to make a well-informed decision.

Never place a spare key in a plant box or under your welcome mat. While you may feel that you are keeping yourself safe by allowing a way in for yourself, you are also allowing everyone else to visit whenever they want. For obvious reasons, experienced burglars know every possible hiding spot. Instead, give your extra key to a neighbor whom you trust.

Entry Points

You should not let anyone inside your home. Even people who claim to need help may be out to harm you. Some criminals will use any reason to gain access to look for security systems and easy entryways into your house.

A good home security system monitors all entry points to your home. Intruders can enter through your windows too. You want to be sure that the alarm is connected to all windows and entry points. You want the best security possible for your family.

Whenever you move to a new dwelling, make certain to get each lock replaced. While the person you bought the home from may seem on the up and up, you have no idea who they really are. Bear in mind that other people may have lived in the home before the previous owner.

You should never open your door to someone you do not know. There are people who are going to be convincing, but they can just be professional thieves. Enforce a rule within your house that no one opens the door to unexpected people.

Equipping each room in your house with a reliable flashlight (charged with good batteries, of course!) is an excellent safety investment. Flashlights are critical, and provide you with the freedom to move about as needed. Make sure each member of your family knows where the flashlights are and how to operate them.

If you scheduled an appointment for a member of the security company to come to your house, ask them to show you some identification first. It is easy for potential thieves to present themselves as representatives of a company in order to gain access to your home. This is a danger to your belongings and your family. Be careful to avoid this sort of danger.

In summer, take care to trim back branches and plants near the house. As the summer heat rolls in, there is a higher chance that these can catch on fire, putting your home at risk. Always clear the yard to ensure safety.

Be certain to read the entire contract when you hire a home security firm. They sometimes have hidden costs if you let go of them prior to the contract expiring. Be aware of these particular fees so you can steer clear of them.

The Internet is your friend when searching for a home security company, so you should use it wisely. The sites of the companies themselves will provide you with details about their services, testimonials from their customers, and pricing information. After reading about these services, you can narrow down the results and use appointments for price comparisons.

Use your garage for what it was intended: your car. It won’t be vandalized or stolen this way. Hiding the car from plain sight can keep possible intruders from figuring out when you’re home and also when you are not.

You should think about getting a home security system that is wireless. It may cost less to get a wired system; however, rewiring to accommodate the system may be difficult. Additionally, power outages may negatively impact your system. Wireless systems are easier to install and maintain, and they do not rely on the power in your home to work correctly.

You should have a good idea of how you can protect your home after going over this article. Never forget that you can always improve your security decision-making by learning more on the topic. Keep this article handy so you can refer to this information as you shop.

Even if you have a great security system, it must be checked annually. Get a security comapny tech to check it. Your security system’s quality can be impacted by numerous factors, such as the weather and wild animals. You may not know there’s an issue if you can’t see it.