Most people know home security is important, but many people do not understand it. Doing some homework on possible security strategies can be very helpful. Read this article to learn excellent tips on ensuring your home’s safety.

Spare Key

Always take time to compare and research before investing in an expensive security system for your home. Prices vary significantly, even for similar levels of protection. Ensure you talk to a minimum of three companies to obtain quotes before deciding the one that you believe is best for you.

Your dog can keep your spare house key for you. This can be done if your dog can come outside. Attach the spare key to your dog’s collar. By doing this, you have a handy spare key whenever you need it.

If you keep a spare key outside to prevent yourself from being locked-out, think carefully about where you hide it. The doormat is too obvious of a place to hide it, as robbers will look there first. Try hiding your key somewhere more unique, like your outside dog’s collar.

Don’t post information about an upcoming vacation anywhere on the web. You may be very excited about your impending vacation, but there is no need to let potential burglars know when you will be gone.

Shut off phone ringers inside the home if you’re going to be gone for quite a while. If the phone rings without you there, burglars will suspect that you’re not home, and that can make your home a target for an attack while you’re gone.

If you have an attached garage, don’t forget to secure it as well. Intruders could easily break into your garage and access your home. You can use a C-clamp to stop the door from being opened.

Don’t open your door when strangers are knocking. Criminals find ways to get people to open doors so they can commit crimes. Make it a rule in your home that you only open your door to people who you were expecting.

Remove all of the vegetation outside in the hotter months. These can quickly become fire hazards when hit by direct sunlight, placing your house at risk. To make sure your home is safer, clear your yard periodically.

It doesn’t matter how much money you spent, you should have an annual test. Ask the security company to send a technician out to give your system a thorough inspection. Many factors cause issues with security systems like nature and wild animals. You might not even discover these problems if they aren’t easily sighted.

Home security installation technicians should always be in uniform and wearing identification. Criminals can easily pretend to be from a security firm as a means to gain entry to the house. This could be quite dangerous. Be careful if you want to avoid danger.

Do you live out in the country? If so, you might not be as worried about burglars breaking in as those people in the city are. Some people feel that rural residents lead riskier lives because they are far away from neighbors. Still, many believe that rural environments are less frequently targeted by burglars.

Even if you only plan to be gone for a very short time, lock your house. It might shock you to learn that most break-ins occur due to unlocked doors. A thief could steal all your valuables in only a few minutes.

Any time you let a stranger into your home that is doing some kind of work, it is best to ask for references. You should do a background check as well to find out their criminal history. Anyone you bring into your home to work could be your worst enemy.

Security System

Keep the wires of your home security system hidden. An intruder can easily disable your security system by cutting the wires. This is why it is so important to make sure all your wires are well hidden. This will help to deter intruders that are looking to quickly disable your alarm system.

To increase your home’s security, buy some outdoor lights that are motion activated. These lights not only give off light at night, but can also offer security around your home. If you position motion detectors properly, it is very hard for someone to sneak onto the property.

Are you aware of the value contained in your home’s wiring? People don’t realize this until it is stolen. Wiring can be removed from the outside of a home in a heartbeat. Make sure your wiring is hidden or hard to access to keep this valuable property safe.

Ask for ID before letting anyone into your home. You would be surprised how many thieves will impersonate security representatives to get into your house. This can be risky for you and your belongings. Use caution to stay out of danger.

A bright home is a safe home. Most intruders avoid anything that could reveal their identity. When your house is well lit, intruders have no place to hide. This makes it hard for them to get things from you. If you want to stay secure, keep your house brightly lit.

Research how long a security company has been in the business before contracting with them. It doesn’t take long for a quality company to prove itself in the security business, and you should look for a track record of satisfied customers and successful work. It’s good to know that the company won’t disappear overnight and leave your home unprotected.

Anytime you come home and notice that the door is open whenever you are quite certain you closed it, don’t enter on your own to investigate. It can be dangerous to walk in on an intruder. The best thing to do is call the police and wait for them to arrive before doing anything else.

If you are out of town for awhile, ask a friend to take a look at your door for any fliers. Burglars sometimes place fliers as a means to see if anyone is home to remove them. If the flier stays in place, the burglar knows that the homeowner is out on vacation.

Install a surveillance system in your home. Video cameras are an excellent way to keep your home safe. Intruders can be deterred to visible cameras, but hidden cameras are better if criminals damage the other cameras. It is possible to use your cell phone to look at your surveillance camera, meaning you can see your house when you’re gone.

Discourage burglars by making your garage windows opaque. Add some frosted glass panes to your windows to keep strangers from looking inside. Also, do not leave doors open.

You need to get a good 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. Cameras that can be seen are an excellent tool for preventing most burglars from breaking into your home. However, if they are brave enough to try to disable your cameras, hidden cameras will capture them. Some security systems are accessible via mobile phone, which lets you look in on your house when away.

Do not use locks with spring latches. These locks can be opened easily with a credit card. Wedging the card into the door crack can cause the lock to release. If your locks are spring latch, either replace them or put in a deadbolt to protect yourself.

If you want to hide your house key, find a spot that is not obvious. It’s easy to see fake rocks. Many people also know to check under the welcome mat. A friend or neighbor can be a much better key holder than an inanimate object. If you must keep it elsewhere, be creative with your hiding spot.

Do not put electronic boxes in the front of your house. Don’t advertise that you have expensive new equipment! Remember to cut up the boxes when they’re emptied.

If you use a door lock with a numeric keypad, do not use your birthday as the pass code. Your birthday can be found on mail or social media sites, so this means anyone can access your home. Use a random number instead.

Most people understand the critical role home security plays in our everyday lives. However, most homeowners don’t know what steps to take with regards to home security. Consider the information that has been given to you as a resource for making sure your home is safe.

Don’t put the registration to your car in your glove box. These documents contain a lot of sensitive personal data, like your home address. Keep them in your wallet or in another safe place like your trunk. They must still be easily accessible should you be stopped by police.