Many people dread the hassle that comes with installing a professional home security system. Fortunately, it does not need to be that bad. Follow the tips presented here for quick and easy ways to secure your home.

Make your house look occupied all the time. Buy timers so things will go on and off at different times. This will make your home appear as if someone is there. This should help you make your home safer and not attract the attention of potential intruders.

Providing a key to the person cleaning your home can be acceptable, but you must be sure they are honest and worthy of your confidence. Be sure any home cleaner you give your key to is trustworthy and reputable. Carefully check their references. If they work for a firm, call the local Better Business Bureau to find out that firm’s reputation.

Place your spare key securely on your dog’s collar. Really this works only if you have a pet door or if your dog is an outdoor dog. Simply attach a spare key to your dog’s collar (in a secure and non-visible place, of course) so that you’ll be able to retrieve it if you need it.

When looking to purchase a good home security system, it is best that you look at many companies. Prices can be very different from one product to another. 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.

Setting off an alarm during a burglary is just one of the valuable functions a good security system can perform. Many systems can be used to go off whenever anyone enters your home. Parents riding herd on small children will be thankful for this feature which makes it harder for kids to sneak outside without supervision.

Police Department

Shut off phone ringers inside the home if you’re going to be gone for quite a while. If the phone rings when you are away, burglars will know there’s nobody home, making the house vulnerable to a break-in when you are out.

See what your local police department offers in terms of home protection programs. They may offer things such as home inspections, engraving tool loans, and other guidance about securing your house. Your police department will be able to help you find out what is available in your town.

Do not open your door for strangers. Nowadays, people invent many stories of why they should come in. For instance, they may say they need to call a mechanic or the police. However, their true intent is to rob you. You should make sure you only open the door to your home for people that you know and are expecting.

No matter how good your security system is, it should be checked annually. Ask a qualified worker who specializes in security systems to take a look. There are many things that can reduce the quality of your system. Sometimes, you may need a professional to locate the problem.

It will not benefit you to be shy. Talk to your neighbors. Keep on eye on their home and ask neighbors to return the favor. It does not necessarily pay to steer clear of gossip. It is often a good way to find out about security issues, such as strangers in the neighborhood.

Compared to city dwellers, you might feel more safe in your rural home. Due to the distance between neighbors, some think rural areas are more likely to have intruders. Some people think burglaries are less prevalent in rural parts.

When dealing with companies that install home security systems, it’s important to trust your gut. If the installers give you the heebie-jeebies, it’s not a good sign. Never hesitate to has for a new technician or even go with a different company altogether. You want the system to make you feel like you’re more comfortable.

Walls can be a great hiding spot. Concealing small valuables in your walls is an easy and highly effective way to protect them. Repurpose phone jacks and electrical outlets as tiny wall safes. If you have no unused plates, you can easily install false ones.

When choosing an alarm system, consider one that offers protection for more than just your doors. Burglars often enter through windows as well. You want a security system that monitors all your windows and doors. This is a way to make sure your family will be safe.

Use your wall spaces to hide your valuables. This doesn’t necessarily involve chopping up your walls, either. There are many places in your home that are pre-cut and available. Unused electrical sockets can be great for hiding expensive jewelry.

If you have a home security system installed, make sure the wires are hidden. An intruder can cut the wires if he can find them. Make it hard for intruders and bury the wires or hide them inside your walls, if possible. This helps keep you and your family safe.

It is important that your valuables are not visible from anywhere outside your house. You might enjoy large windows so you can see out, but just remember that makes it easier for those burglars to see inside your home as well. Cover all street-facing windows.

Plug a rechargeable flashlight into an outlet in each room of your house in the event of power outage. Power outages are common to all sorts of emergency situations, so having flashlights handy will enable you to maneuver in the dark. Keep in mind that your family might be separated during a power outage, and make sure you children know where to find and how to use your flashlights.

You want all wires of an installed security system to be hidden. A burglar will simply cut the wires if he can see them. You don’t want to help them by doing this, so make sure you have the wires within the walls. You will be much more safe.

Make sure that the person analyzing your home for a home security system is who he says. Potential burglars can easily claim they are security company representatives so that they can enter your home. This can be extremely dangerous to your home and loved ones. Be cautious to stay away from those potential dangers.

The wiring outside of your home can be valuable. People often don’t think about this until they have it stolen from their home. A skilled intruder could remove all the copper from your home within less than an hour. To keep the wiring safe, be sure that the wire is hidden from view.

A simple way to increase your home security is to add motion lights around the house. In the dark hours, these lights will provide the illumination necessary to protect your home and also save money by staying off when they’re not needed. They also help to keep intruders away, because an intruder does not want to come close to your property if they know they might be spotted.

The number one thing you must do if you’re moving into a new place is have the locks changed. Even if you’ve gotten a key from the previous owner or tenant, there could still be a lot of people out there who have keys to your home. You might even install new locks yourself so that you know you have the only keys.

Have a home security company come to your house and come up with a system that best suits your needs. Each customer wants certain things as far as home security goes. The right company will make you feel more safe and secure in your home.

Home security systems aren’t the only way to ensure your family is safe. There are quite a few options. You could put stronger locks on your doors, build a fence and/or purchase a weapon. It’s really up to you. Keep these tips in mind to make your dwelling a safer place.

If you will be going out of time, have someone you trust get your mail. Also, have them look for fliers stuck in your door. Canny burglars will often produce and distribute their own fliers so that they can see whether or not anyone takes them down. If the flier is not removed, they will know you are not home.