There are lots of customers for home security these days. Burglaries occur everyday, regardless of where you live. Insecure homes are a big target. To prevent your home from being targeted, read this article to find out how to improve your own home security.

You can hide your spare key on your dog. This is only true if yours in an outdoor dog, or your house is equipped with a doggie door. Place the alternative key on your dog’s collar in case of an emergency.

Make sure that you change the locks once you’ve taken possession of the house. There is no way to ascertain how many keys the previous owner handed out. To make sure no one else can get into your home, call a locksmith. Also, you can contact a locksmith if you ever misplace your keys.

When you decide to purchase a home alarm system, make sure you comparison shop. Most companies have different price schemes for the the same general level of protection. Be sure and get a minimum of three quotes from different companies prior to choosing one.

The only time you should give out house keys to house cleaners is if you absolutely trust them. If you plan on giving them the key so that they can work in your home for over an hour, make sure that they’re reputable, hardworking, and honest. Check their references very carefully. Call the Better Business Bureau to see if their firm is well-reviewed.

Hiding places for spare keys must be chosen with extreme care and caution. Above doors or under doormats are much too common to hide them and potential criminals will check them first. You should hide it in your dog’s collar.

Get roofing, flooring and ceilings that are fire resistant. This will help ensure the safety of your home, particularly if your home is located in a dry area. Fire prevention is always a good idea, and sometimes it can be a lifesaving idea!

Is your ceiling resistant to fire? What about your flooring or roofing? This give your home an extra protection layer. Because of the amount of damage fires can cause, it is important to protect your home from them.

Use your garage for your car, not just storage. Keeping your car inside will deter thieves from stealing or vandalizing it. Keeping your car out of sight is also good for thwarting burglars’ attempts to determine when you are likely to be away from home.

Do not allow anyone you do not know into your home. Even people who claim to need help may be out to harm you. There are people that just want to go into your home to see if you’ve got a type of home security system, and if they see that you don’t, they’ll return when you’re not home.

Don’t forget skylights when doing a security sweep for your home. Intruders could use skylights to enter your home. Be certain that skylights in your home can be locked securely.

See if your local police department offers any home inspection or other protection programs. They often offer home inspections, seminars and even the ability to purchase items. Your police department will be able to help you find out what is available in your town.

You can hide things in your walls. Hide valuables inside of your walls. Simply take advantage of an unused switch plate, electrical outlet, or phone jack. If you use all of them, you can always have fake ones installed.

Is your garage used for storage? Consider removing those items and keeping your car there instead. It will be far more secure against thieves. Keeping your car secured will prevent people from vandalizing it. This can also keep people from knowing your schedule.

When moving into a previously owned home, change the locks. Although it’s normal for owners / tenants to surrender their keys when they leave, there’s no way of knowing who else might have copies. For maximum security, buy your own locks and install them yourself. This way you can be certain nobody else has a key.

If you have skylights, do not neglect them when making sure your home is secure. While they are nice and help with lighting, they also provide the burglars help with access to your home. Use heavy-duty hardware to secure your skylights to the roof.

You should find out how many years of experience your home security service has. Companies who have been around for years will show that they have what it takes to succeed. In addition, it proves that they provide people with reliable services they can depend on. Being in the hands of a good company helps you have peace about your decision.

Get creative and hide valuables inside your walls. You don’t have to cut out pieces of the wall to do this. There are many places in your home that are pre-cut and available. How about unwiring an electricity socket and using it as cover for a place to stash valuable jewelry?

The best way to keep a burglar out of your garage is to ensure no one can see inside. Frost your windows with film bought at a hardware store. Avoid leaving the door open for extended periods of time.

When choosing an alarm system, consider one that offers protection for more than just your doors. Your windows are also points of entry for burglars. Make sure the alarm is attached to all of them, and that monitoring is offered for all possible entry points. They are the most effective.

When you purchase an expensive item such as a computer or TV, be sure to take the cardboard box to the recycling center rather than leaving it on your curb for all the world to see. Burglars pay attention to this, and it will make them want to break in and get the items. Break down the box, and take it to the local recycling center.

Get flashlights with good batteries, and have them in each room in case you lose power. Flashlights are essential since they let you move around in an emergency. Show your children how to use them so everyone in the family is involved.

From the road, are your house numbers visible? In an emergency situation, first responders won’t be able to locate your house quickly if the numbers are hidden or are too small to see clearly. This is a very easy issue to have rectified.

When searching for methods of improving your home’s security, a great, inexpensive method of doing this is purchasing exterior lights with installed motion detectors. Nighttime security lights are affordable and effective in terms of security and handy in terms of visibility and safety. Positioned correctly, these lights can make it impossible for intruders to get on your property undetected.

Dogs are among the most effective home burglary systems. Usually, dogs protect their homes and when they sense something is wrong, they bark. You don’t have to have a huge, violent guard dog, though. Small dogs are noisy and unpredictable and very good at deterring burglars.

Keep safety at the forefront when landscaping your property. Don’t provide burglars with cover by planting big shrubs in front of your doors and windows. Do not give robbers a chance to hide in any area. Keep this in mind as you design.

Talk to your security company about the contract; in particular, inquire about the various contract lengths that are available to you. There are usually pros and cons in each contract. Your bill may be lower with a long-term contract, but you could wind up paying for a service you’re not using if you decide to move. Shorter contracts mean more freedom along with higher costs.

You should think about getting a home security system that is wireless. Systems that are wired are cheaper, but they need unattractive wiring inside your home and may malfunction when you have a power outage. A wireless system is easy to install and to maintain. Besides, you will still be able to count on your wireless system in case of a power outage.

Always keep your shades, curtains and blinds closed when you are not at home. Potential intruders will see what you are doing and get an idea of how many valuables you own if you keep your blinds open. They may break in if they see things they like. You should keep them closed while you are asleep.

Install a surveillance system in your home. Video cameras are a great deterrent. While a visible camera is a deterrent, a burglar might try to disable the camera, but a separate hidden camera can solve this problem. Surveillance systems often allow you to access videos through your cell phone, too.

See if your security company only sells equipment, or if they will lease it to you instead. It might cost more at first when buying the equipment, but you don’t have the extra cost each month. The initial cost of leasing may seem low, but you may be required to sign a long term contract and it may carry a higher monthly fee. Look into both choices to know which one is better for your personal circumstances.

Talk to your home-security company to see if they provide buy and lease options for your equipment. You can avoid interest rates by buying the security system right away. Leasing usually proves cheaper at first, but it comes with strings attached through contracts or continuing fees and charges. Think about both options before making a decision.

A good home security system is very important for your family. Crimes can occur at any time. What you’ve read here will help you to prepare. Don’t wait. Protect your home now before burglary occurs.

If you must hide a key, hide it somewhere unusual. Fake rocks are very easy to spot. The first place an intruder will likely look is under the doormat. The most secure thing you can do is to entrust your key to a reliable neighbor or a friend you can count on. If this is not possible, think on how you will hide it.