It is a good idea to have a home security system, especially if you have a lot of valuables in your home. Guard against burglaries by bolstering your security strategy. Continue reading to learn excellent strategies on keeping your home safe.

If you do not know the person at your door, don’t open it. You never know who they might be, despite their story. You should only open the door to people you were expecting.

You should always make sure your home looks like its occupied. You could purchase timers and have your TVs, lights, radios and other types of electronics to go on at various times. This helps to create the illusion that someone is presently at home. This will help safeguard your house to the best of your ability.

Motion sensor lights on the exterior of your home is a great idea. The motion sensors turn on the lights whenever anyone approaches your home. Not only will you know that someone is out there, it will also deter burglars because they want to be inconspicuous. However, make sure to put in fresh bulbs every now and then.

The fist thing you’ll need to do for home security is to get new locks. Whether you have a roommate who is about to move out, or a relationship that has run its course, it is a good idea change your locks. It doesn’t cost much and they can usually show up within a day.

Place the spare key that you make on your dog. However, this method is only effective if your dog is large, scary, and stays outdoors. Simply affix a spare key to the collar of the animal. You’ll always have a backup plan if you lose your key!

If you do not reside in a big city, you may not worry as much about home burglaries. Some people feel that rural residents lead riskier lives because they are far away from neighbors. Others think that rural places have less of a chance of being targets for burglars.

Always lock your house, no matter how briefly you expect to be gone. It may be a little surprising, but most burglaries and break-ins happen because the intruder just walks right through an open door. It can be a quick job for a burglar to steal items of great value.

When in the process of purchasing a home-security system, be sure to comparison shop. Several different firms may offer similar protection for wildly divergent prices. 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.

Any time you let a stranger into your home that is doing some kind of work, it is best to ask for references. Run a criminal background check on them, as well. Avoid giving keys out to contractors, maids and repairmen.

If you don’t own a paper shredder already, you might want to get one. You’d be shocked at how many times thieves search trash looking for personal documents to see when you’re not home so that they can get into your home. You can tear your documents up by hand before disposing of them if a shredder is out of your price range.

If you want to have a spare key close to your house in order to prevent lockouts, make sure you give its hiding place some careful thought. You don’t want to put them in common spots, such as above the frame of the door or under the doormat. Try hiding your key somewhere more unique, like your outside dog’s collar.

If you just purchased electronics, do not leave empty boxes outside. A burglar may see the box and decide to target you as a result. Remember to cut up or break down those boxes and take them to the recycling center.

Make sure that your house number are visible from the street. If your numbers cannot be plainly seen, then the police will struggle to locate your home very quickly in case of emergency. If you notice a problem, you should be able to fix it fairly cheaply, though.

Contact the local police department to find out more about the protection programs they offer. Many programs include how to use some engraving tools to create code numbers for identifying valuables that are stolen, home inspection, and advice on protective measures. Contact your local police department to find out if they offer this type of program.

A great security system for your home is a dog. They are protective about their territory, plus they make noises that keep burglars at bay. Your dog doesn’t have to be a big, burly attack dog. Even the barking of a tiny dog can repel potential burglars, who want to avoid noises as they carry out their crimes.

Spring Latch Locks

Motion sensor lights on the exterior of your home is a great idea. The lights will be triggered when someone gets too close to the house. This lets you know something is moving and also drives off criminals. Make sure you regularly change the light bulbs to ensure they continue to work properly.

You do not want to use spring latch locks. Defeating a spring latch lock is a trivial endeavor; experienced burglars can get through one using nothing more than a credit card. Burglars just slip a card between the latch and the door, causing the lock mechanism to open. If you have already installed spring latch locks, consider adding a deadbolt for even more security.

When you will be away from home, keep the curtains and blinds shut. Intruders can look into your house if the blinds are up. If they spot something desirable, they will seek access. Keep them down when you’re asleep, too.

Always go with your gut when it comes to choosing a security firm. This is especially important when it comes to the company employees who will be installing your system. Make sure that the installer has experience installing your type of security system. At the end of the day, your efforts are so that you feel more comfortable.

If your lights are generally turned off at roughly the same time, consider using a timer. The automatic timer will keep the lights going on and off on schedule, so a thief will not be able to tell when you are away. Even when you are at home, the timer is convenient because it saves you from having to remember to turn on the lights.

Put in a door that is solid wood or metal. Doors made of metal or wood are much sturdier than those that aren’t. These materials make it difficult for a would-be thief to break down the door. You should replace each exterior door in the home before doing the minimal amount, as soon as you can.

Use the space in walls to store your prized possessions. It’s not necessary to cut out parts of your wall to do this. Your home should have a few pre-cut areas that can be used. How about unwiring your electric socket and using that as an area to stash your jewelry?

Figure out if motion sensitive lighting is an option for your home by talking to your home-security company. Many companies offer this, and it causes the lights on the outside of your home to go on as soon as someone approaches an entry way. This will ward off thieves and make you feel safe when you come home.

Sliding Glass

Do not hide your spare key under your doormat or in a nearby planter. Remember that you are not the only one who is aware of these sorts of hiding places. For obvious reasons, experienced burglars know every possible hiding spot. Rather, give the key to a neighbor to hold.

Sliding glass doors pose large security issues in homes. It’s easy to break into a sliding glass door by just lifting it up and shaking it. If you lack a connected security system for such doors, cut a piece of pipe to stick in the door’s channel. This will keep the door closed tight and harder to force open.

Err on the side of caution when you are dealing with home security. You don’t have to live your life in fear, but you should take some preventative measures. Keep this article in mind when pondering ways to improve the security of your home, so that you can secure your family and yourself.

Lock your home at all times to err on the side of caution. It might shock you to learn that most break-ins occur due to unlocked doors. They can get a ton of stuff quickly and be long gone before you return.