Some people avoid the home security process, because they think it will be long and drawn out. It is possible, however, to find a stress-free solution. Read this tips in this article for fast, easy ways to make your home more secure today.

Spare Key

When you buy a new home, be sure to have the locks changed. The previous owners or tenants might have made several copies of the key. Get a locksmith in right away. Be sure to cal a locksmith if you were to lose your keys as well.

You can hide your spare key on your dog. This can be done if your dog can come outside. Place a spare key on the collar, and when you really need a spare, you know where to go!

Always take time to compare and research before investing in an expensive security system for your home. Each company has different rates for their security system. Look at a number of different companies and get at least three quotes before selecting what you feel is the ideal plan for your home.

Do you let your dog outside when you leave the house? Using Fido to hide your spare key can be a clever trick. Put it on their collar. This is especially useful if the dog does not take kindly to strangers.

Fire-resistant building materials are the way to go, both inside and outside the home. This adds more protection to a house, especially if you’re in a dry area with some power lines. Fire prevention is always a good idea, and sometimes it can be a lifesaving idea!

You should not let anyone inside your home. No matter what the excuse the person presents, keep them from entering your home. There are some people who will just come in to see if you have a home security system, and if you do not, they could come back later when you are not home.

Don’t let any person you don’t completely know into your house. Even if they tell you a sob story about needing help, this warning remains true. Some people may simply be trying to determine whether or not you have a home security installed; if you don’t, they may plan to return later if you are away from your home.

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. Make it mandatory that doors in your home are only opened for expected visitors.

If you’ve got a garage, boost home security just by using it for only a car instead of storage. Having the car in the garage will prevent it from getting broken into or stolen. Keeping your car out of sight is also good for thwarting burglars’ attempts to determine when you are likely to be away from home.

If you do not know the person at your door, don’t open it. People are coming up with all sorts of ways to convince people to open their door to them, with the intent of committing burglary or worse. Create a rule where you only allow those you’ve invited to your home inside.

Motion-sensor lights can alert you of a robbery before it even happens. The lights will be triggered when someone gets too close to the house. Not only will they notify you of movement, they will also deter potential burglars, as thieves want to remain as inconspicuous as possible. Just remember and change out the light bulbs whenever necessary.

Hide valuables in spaces in your walls. You don’t have to cut pieces out of the walls. There are many places in your home that are pre-cut and available. Consider unwiring an electrical socket that isn’t used and storing your valuable jewelry.

Store your car in the garage if you have it. It won’t be vandalized or stolen this way. If you keep your car in the garage instead of in the driveway, it is harder for thieves to know whether you are at home or not.

Remove and replace any wood that is not up to par. A burglar can easily strip away wood that has rotted. As a result, this will assist them in breaking into your home. Replace rotting wood with new wood to stay safe.

Whenever seeking out home-security companies, the Internet can be a valuable resource, so utilize it. Check out different websites, and read through package details and customer testimonials. From there, you can make appointments with your top three selections to compare final package pricing and specific details about plans and monitoring.

Avoid being shy. Engage your neighbors in conversation. Keep your eye on their houses, and ask for help to keep yours safe too. Do not ignore gossip either. You may find out helpful information about strangers lurking around.

Safety should be kept in mind when you are planning your landscape. Don’t obstruct windows or doors with shrubs, plants, fences or trees. Keeping these features free of vegetation robs would-be burglars of concealment and hiding places. This should be planned in advance for your safety.

Keep your garage shut and locked so burglars can’t peek inside. Cover windows using frosting, which you can buy at large hardware stores, to keep people from peeking in your window. If you use your garage for working on projects, don’t forget to lock it when you’re through working for the day.

If you’ve got skylights, don’t forget about it when it comes to home security. Skylights are excellent for beauty and light, but it’s easy for burglars to gain access to your home through them. Skylights need to be installed correctly and safely, with hardware that will keep intruders out.

Ask about the various contract lengths offered by a home security company. Compare the pros and cons of different options. Long contracts are cheaper every month, but can outlast your stay in the home. A short contract will avoid this, but may be more costly.

When you aren’t home, make sure your windows are covered. Intruders can look into your house if the blinds are up. They may break in if they see things they like. At night when you’re asleep, you should close your shades.

Before letting someone from a security company into a house, get some sort of official identification. Having the name of the technician coming to your house ahead of time can help to ensure you are allowing someone who really works for the company into your home. This leads to danger. Use caution to stay out of danger.

There are other ways to secure your home besides security systems. Hopefully now you have a better sense of what some of your different options are. Keep these things in mind when thinking about home security.