You may think that securing your home involves major installations and expensive specialists. This process doesn’t have to inconvenience you. The information below will enlighten you on the process so that you can keep your home safe.

Make your house look occupied all the time. You can purchase timers that can control your household electronics such as lights, TVs and radios. This way, your house will always look occupied. This is an excellent method for avoiding burglary and keeping your home secure.

Do you keep your dog outdoors when you are away from home? They can help you with your spare key. Put it on their collar. This is quite effective if your pet does not respond well to strangers.

Compare different systems when looking into home security. Prices vary greatly in regards to the same protection for each company. Get at least 3 quotes from security system companies and compare features and services as well as monthly costs.

Setting off an alarm during a burglary is just one of the valuable functions a good security system can perform. They can actually be set to chime whenever a monitored door is opened. This is useful for parents who have small kids, as it helps keep them from leaving the house.

Never allow any strangers into your home. Even if they tell you a sob story about needing help, this warning remains true. Some criminals will use any reason to gain access to look for security systems and easy entryways into your house.

When looking to buy a security system, shop around. Several different firms may offer similar protection for wildly divergent prices. Be certain to obtain multiple quotes prior to making your choice.

Get rid of all of the dead wood and vegetation in your yard during the summer months. You risk a house fire if that sits there during the heat of the summer and catches fire. Clear up your yard so it looks good and is safe.

In the summertime, you should rid your yard of dead bushes and vegetation. These can pose a fire hazard due to heat and storms with lightning. Make sure your yard is clean for the sake of your safety – and that of your family!

Regardless of the quality of your home security system, you need to check it annually. Get a security comapny tech to check it. Mother nature can sneak in and cause many problems. If you aren’t paying attention, you may not be aware of these problems.

Annual check-ups are important for alarm systems. Have a worker from the security company take a look at it. Wild animals or plain old nature can wreak havoc on your home security system. If you don’t see the problem, you may remain unaware of it.

If you do not reside in a big city, you may not worry as much about home burglaries. Interestingly, many think those living in rural areas are actually more susceptible to break-ins since neighbors may not live close by. Others think that rural places have less of a chance of being targets for burglars.

Be outgoing. Speak to your neighbors. Keep an eye on their houses and yards and request that they return the favor. Listen to gossip also. While this is unorthodox, it may clue you into a possible home security threat.

Skylights should be secure. Skylights are commonly used by thieves to enter a home. Any skylights in your home should be secured with strong hardware.

Always lock your house, no matter how briefly you expect to be gone. Most burglars gain entry to a home through an unlocked door. A thief could steal all your valuables in only a few minutes.

It is not a good idea to hide a spare key on your property. These seem like great places for you when you misplace your key. For obvious reasons, experienced burglars know every possible hiding spot. Instead, trust a neighbor to hold your spare key.

Keep the wires of your home security system hidden. A burglar will simply cut the wires if he can see them. You don’t want to help them by doing this, so make sure you have the wires within the walls. It will keep your family safer.

Always lock your house, no matter how briefly you expect to be gone. It might shock you to learn that most break-ins occur due to unlocked doors. It can be a quick job for a burglar to steal items of great value.

Make sure to ask for identification for any home security company representative. They might not be who you think they are. Don’t allow this to happen, as it is a direct threat to your house and its contents. Trust your gut and if something does not feel right, it is okay to go with your feelings.

If you buy expensive electronics or appliances, throw the packages away the day that your trash pickup occurs. Exposing the box to view ahead of time signals a burglar that he will find this item in your home.

Before allowing anyone into your home, check their references carefully. Do not hesitate to hire someone to run a background check if you have doubts. You never know if the maid, repairman or contractor you hire is on the up and up, and letting them in or giving them a key could be a fatal mistake.

Think about getting a wireless security system for the home. While the wired systems are less expensive, they usually mean rather intrusive wiring for your house, which can also go out during power outages. The wireless systems are simpler to maintain and install and they don’t need power from the home to run.

See how long the home security company has been around before you make any decisions. Many years of service bode well for the company’s performance. It also ensures they’re not a fly-by-night firm.

Install a home surveillance system. You can make a huge difference in your home’s security by putting in cameras whether they’re concealed or out in the open. Visible cameras scare intruders while a hidden camera could capture footage. You can often view these feeds over the Internet, too.

You don’t necessarily need a fancy security system to keep your home safe. Whether you add fencing, install new locks or purchase a gun, there are things you can do to help. Use the tips in this article to increase the security of your home.

Can you see the number of your house from the street? If you have an emergency, it will be hard for the police to find your house quickly if your numbers are hidden or too small to read. Fortunately, this is something that can be corrected quickly and cheaply.