Having a secure place that you can live in could be a big task for an average person. However, this process can actually be done very easily and cheaply. These tips will show you how easy and inexpensive it can be.

Create the illusion that your home is constantly occupied. Use timers to make electronic devices and lights turn on and off at intervals. This helps to create the illusion that someone is presently at home. This is an effective deterrent against burglars.

Make your house look occupied all the time. Invest in timers to automatically turn on and off any electronics at various times. Potential intruders will stay away from your home if they believe someone is inside. This is a simple way to improve your home’s safety and make it less attractive to criminals.

You can hide your spare key on your dog. This only makes sense if your dog is outdoors a lot or you have a pet door. Just place your key on your dog’s collar.

After you purchase a new home, change the locks. There is no way to ascertain how many keys the previous owner handed out. Get a locksmith in right away. Do the same thing if you misplace your keys.

Don’t let strangers enter your home. Even if their story is compelling, they need assistance or want to sell you something. Some people will simply knock on your door to see whether or not there is a security system installed, and if there isn’t, they may target you later when you’re away.

Does your dog remain outside while you’re gone? Your furry friend is also a great storage place for your extra key. Stash the key on the pup’s collar to keep it out of sight. If your dog doesn’t like strangers, it’s even better.

Don’t open up your door for someone who is a stranger. You never know who they might be, despite their story. You should make sure you only open the door to your home for people that you know and are expecting.

Security Systems

Do you live outside the city? You might be less worried about home invasions than if you lived in an urban area. Due to the distance between neighbors, some think rural areas are more likely to have intruders. However, understand that regardless of where you live, a theft can occur anywhere. Therefore, you need to be prepared.

Home security systems have additional features to just being noise alarms. Most security systems can facilitate alarm sounds anyone enters. Parents of children can track their kids this way.

Do you have skylights? If so, you should keep them in mind when protecting your home. Although a skylight can bring light into one’s home and look good, it’s also a common entrance way for burglars. Your skylights need durable and reliable hardware for true protection.

Get a safe to protect your valuable items. If an intruder breaks into your home, at least these valuables will be secure. Keep the safe hidden somewhere remote.

Place your valuables in cut-outs in your walls. This doesn’t necessarily involve chopping up your walls, either. You can find pre-cut areas in your walls that can be used. What about un-wiring an electrical socket which isn’t used to utilize as a cover to hide your jewelry?

Compare various home security systems when shopping. Every company offers different pricing. Make sure you get quotes from at least three companies before you decide on which one you think is the best option.

Even if you only plan to be gone for a very short time, lock your house. It is more common than you would believe for a thief to find a home, try the door and walk right in when it’s unlocked. It does not take a long time for a robber to pilfer items worth thousands of dollars.

Ask your friends for advice before you choose a home security system or company. There are likely people you know that have had either good or bad experiences with these companies. Ask a number of people to get a several different opinions.

Be sure to replace all of the old locks as soon as you move into a new domicile. The previous owner may be perfectly respectable, but you can’t know that for sure. Keep in mind that other people may have lived in the home prior to the seller.

Turn the ringer off on your telephone if you are going to be away. A home phone that rings and rings is a good way for a potential thief to know if anyone is home.

Check someone’s references carefully before letting them come into your home. Don’t be afraid of conducting background checks to determine if they have a criminal history. You never really know if you can trust a service person, and giving access to the wrong one can prove disastrous.

Alter the combination of the locks in your home. Maybe you’ve had a roommate leave or a bitter ex-lover, so changing the locks can keep you safer. This doesn’t usually cost much, and it can be accomplished in less than a day.

If you sign a contract for a security company, read all the fine print first. You may find fees appear unexpectedly, including excessive costs for ending your contract early. You can easily avoid these fees if you do your research.

You should be in a better position to improve your home’s security now that you’ve taken the time to educate yourself on the subject. Make some changes today. You are soon going to have a house you can always feel safe in. That will give you great peace of mind.

Having your home lit up and bright at night is a great deterrent to crooks. Most intruders avoid anything that could reveal their identity. A well-lit home will make it hard for intruders to hide and take your valuables without being detected. At night, keep your lights turned on to boost security.