You probably want to feel safe in your home, whether you own it or you rent it. It is likely that you aren’t aware of small things that can be done in order to protect yourself and your living space. Thankfully, the below article will help. Keep reading to find out how.

Be sure your home always looks occupied. Buy timers so that lights, radios, TVs and all other electronics turn on and off at various times. This way, it will appear that you are at home. This is a simple way to give people up to no good think that you are home.

Security systems are more than just an alarm. Many can be set for sounding their alarm if anyone enters. This isn’t just for burglars; parents with young children can also use it as a valuable tool to know when their child has come inside.

Comparison shopping is essential when seeking a security system for the home. Different companies can provide equivalent levels of service and security, but their prices can vary wildly. Make sure to obtain quotes from a minimum of three companies prior to deciding on a final one.

Valuable Items

If you will be away from your house for an extended period of time, turn the ringers off for all your phones. A constantly ringing phone can signal to a burglar that the house is vacant, making it an easy target for their criminal activities.

Buy a safe for very valuable items in the house so you can keep them inside a single location. This is vital, as you want to safeguard your valuable items in case of home burglary. Put the safe somewhere difficult to get to, like the attic.

Make sure to clear your yard of brush and dead wood in the summertime. These can pose a fire hazard due to heat and storms with lightning. Keep your family and your house protected by regularly clearing out your yard waste.

Be smart about where you decide to hide spare keys. Avoid cliched hiding places like over the door frame or beneath the doormat. Experienced criminals will check these places immediately. An example would be to attach a key to your dog’s collar, if he stays outdoors.

You should regularly check your home security system, regardless of how reliable you believe it is. Your security company should send a representative to check your system. Wild animals, domestic pets, and weather are all factors that can affect the reliability of your home security system. You might be unaware of problems that arise in some cases.

Ask friend for any advice they have prior to purchasing a security system or service. They may have had experiences with certain companies and can lead you in the right direction. Ask around to get lots of advice for making a better choice.

When selecting an alarm set-up, think about getting one that protects not just the doors in your home. The best systems are those that cover windows as well. You want a security system that monitors all your windows and doors. With this method, your family will be safer.

Don’t open your door for strangers. There are people who are going to be convincing, but they can just be professional thieves. Make it a rule in your home that you only open your door to people who you were expecting.

Replace rotten wood near door frames. Anyone hoping to enter your home can very easily do so by just prying away the rotted wood. Replace rotting wood with fresh wood to improve your home’s security.

Security System

You should have several flashlights and batteries in all your rooms. Flashlights are key because they allow you to move around if an emergency should arise. Also show your children how to use them so they can help out in emergencies.

It is important that you check your home security system periodically, at least once a year. Your security company should send a representative to check your system. Your security system’s quality can be impacted by numerous factors, such as the weather and wild animals. If you cannot see a problem, you might not know one exists.

When allowing a representative from any security company to enter your home, look for someone in uniform and ask to see an identification. They might not be who you think they are. This means peril for what you own as well as your loved ones. Act cautiously to avoid potential dangers.

It will not benefit you to be shy. Speak to your neighbors. Watch their homes and ask them if they’ll watch yours as well. Don’t discount what sounds like idle gossip. You can learn of important security information, including if strangers have been lurking.

It’s a good idea to install a surveillance system in your home. Both hidden and visible video cameras can help keep your home safe. Visible cameras can scare intruders, and hidden ones can catch them in the act. Find a security system that gives you the option to view the video feed from your phone so you can check on your home at anytime.

Go with your gut when you invite a home security company representative into your house. This is particularly true if you feel uncomfortable with a company you are dealing with. Do not hesitate to ask for a different person to install the system or even consider hiring a different company. After all, you’re investing in a system that helps you to feel safe, so make sure the process involved in obtaining that system does the same.

The number on your house should be easy to find. If there’s an emergency, it will take longer for the police to locate your home if the numbers are concealed in any way or too small. This is a project any homeowner can tackle.

It is important that your valuables are not visible from anywhere outside your house. If you have big windows near your big entertainment system, it can seem like an invitation to thieves. Windows facing the street need to be covered to keep inside possessions safe.

Your dog is a great tool for protecting your home from intruders. They generally bark when someone comes close to their property. A common misconception, though, is that you have to have a large animal to be safe. Any dog who barks, small or large, can scare off a burglar.

If you have any boxes to discard from large, expensive items, wait until the evening before the trash is scheduled for collection. Having these boxes around for a while will give people an idea of what is inside your house.

Find out about the various lengths of contracts your chosen home security company has on offer. There are going to be ups and downs for each one. While your monthly rates may be lower with a lengthy contract, you have no recourse should you list your home for sale or terminate your contract. A shorter contract gives you more freedom, but it may cost you more per month.

If you wish to boot your home’s security, one cheap way to do this is to buy exterior lights with motion detectors. Motion detection lights will turn on as soon as something or someone enters your yard. This is a great way to deter prowlers and potential intruders at night.

When you aren’t home, make sure your windows are covered. If they remain up, criminals will have no problem seeing right into the house. They’re going to want to get in your house if they can see items they want. Always close your curtains and blinds while sleeping.

If you’re hiring a company for home security, be sure to read any fine print before you sign that contract. There are early termination fees, and there may be fees for extra equipment procured in the future. Try avoiding these fees when you can so that you know about them.

If the cost of maintenance is a concern, a hard-wired system may be your best choice. A wireless system required the regular replacement of many batteries. You might forget to change out the batteries, which will result in your system not operating as it should. Batteries can be very expensive to change.

Having your home lit up and bright at night is a great deterrent to crooks. That’s because they want to remain hidden. When your house is well lit, intruders have no place to hide. This makes it hard for them to get things from you. Keep lights on in the evening for a safer home.

Always store your irreplaceable valuables in a secure place. Some examples include legal documents, expensive jewelry, financial records, passports and family pictures. Floor safes make for great places to hide such items. If you want to be very secure, you can put it in safety deposit boxes at your bank.

When seeking out home security firms, the Internet is an indispensable tool. Check out different websites, and read through package details and customer testimonials. You can then make three solid selections and make appointments with them.

Although the nosey neighbor is often considered a nuisance, as a homeowner it can be valuable to forge relationships with gossipy types. They will be the first one to notice any strangers lurking near your home. If you become friendly with them, the chance of them placing you under alert increases.

As you work on your home’s landscape, don’t forget about safety. Doors and windows should not be obstructed by trees, plants or shrubs. If windows and doors can be easily seen from all areas, then burglars cannot hide as well, which will hinder their plans. For a beautiful yard that’s also safe, keep the landscaping separated from the house.

It is better to buy your home security system directly from the security company instead of from a dealer. A re-seller simply wants to make money, and they generally don’t have your best interests at heart. Dealing with the company itself will ensure that you’re not paying a middleman and provide you with a warranty.

The number on your house should be easy to find. It is important for the authorities to find your address in the event of an emergency. Fortunately, it doesn’t require much to fix this problem.

Any external wires can be a big target for thieves. Found in electrical equipment, copper can be bought at a high price. If you hide the wiring, thieves won’t be able to strip the copper.

Keeping a dog provides a great way to boost your home’s defense. These pets are usually territorial and want to protect their masters. There is no need for a guard dog. Any size dog will drive criminals away, as the barking will be too much noise for them to be stealthy.

Be sure to regularly clean your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. Lint and dust can accumulate and mess with the sensors if they aren’t cleaned regularly. Your smoke detectors can’t do as good a job protecting you as a result.

Spring Latch

Look at home security companies that have more than just security systems. They should come to your house, check out what you need and offer you a custom solution. You might need to modify your landscaping, install deadbolts or upgrade your windows. Be certain that the company you choose has your safety in mind.

Don’t fit your exterior doors with locks of the spring latch variety. These locks are the simplest ones to breach, since they are able to be opened by using just a credit card. Intruders simply use a credit card inside the latch, making the lock open. If your doors sport spring latch locks, add deadbolts to beef up security.

Be sure to secure your window air conditioners with screws or by placing bars over them. If it is not secured, a burglar can remove it and gain access to your home. Remove your window air conditioners in the wintertime for better security.

It is now time to take action and find a good home security system. There is no reason to procrastinate. You may simply use them as a starting point to brainstorm with yourself for good security solutions. When your home is safe, you’ll have peace of mind.

Often criminals use the tactic of knocking on a door and seeking assistance. When the unsuspecting homeowner opens the door, the criminal bursts in and wreaks havoc. If you don’t know the person on the other side of the door, don’t open it. You can call for help for them if necessary. If you feel uncomfortable with the situation, don’t hesitate to call the police.