When a person thinks of making their home safe, they think of spending a fortune on someone to come to their home and install a system. Actually, though, that isn’t the case. The article below will show you how its done.

Use a safe to protect your valuables. This is vital since it means all of your things will be safe if someone breaks in your home. Conceal the safe in an out-of-the-way and not easily accessible spot, such as an attic or a basement area.

Have your dog protect the spare key. Outdoor dogs or pet doors make this possible. Hide a key inside the collar of your dog in case you need a spare.

Turn off ringers on land line phones while you are on vacation. If a burglar keeps hearing your phone ring, they’ll know the home is not occupied, making it more likely for a break-in to occur.

When you buy a new home, be sure to have the locks changed. You don’t know the exact number of copies of that key the previous owners have or have handed out. To make sure your home can only be accessed by you, enlist the help of a locksmith. Also, you can contact a locksmith if you ever misplace your keys.

Don’t let people into your home unless you know them. Stay true to your safety, even if it appears the person has legitimate reasons for wanting entry. 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.

Beware giving keys to your maid unless the service has your absolute trust. If they will be there over an hour and you are thinking of giving them your home key, be certain they are honest, reputable and hard-working. It is best to do a reference check on them. If they work for a firm, call the local Better Business Bureau to find out that firm’s reputation.

Rid the outside of your home from dead wood, vegetation and overgrowth during the summertime. As the summer heat rolls in, there is a higher chance that these can catch on fire, putting your home at risk. Clear up your yard so it looks good and is safe.

Solicit word of mouth recommendations from friends, colleagues and family members to find a great home security company or system. They probably have both positive and negative things to tell you, and those comments will help you make your own decision. Ask around to get lots of advice for making a better choice.

It’s a good idea to have motion sensor lights installed. They will illuminate your property if they sense any movement near your home. You will be alerted when there is activity outside, and any potential burglars will be deterred because they do not want to be seen. But keep in mind that the bulbs to the security light should be routinely changed to ensure that the deterrent system functions properly.

Turn the ringers off on all your phones if you will be away for a prolonged period of time. A phone which rings forever is a sign to burglars that you’re not there.

Consider changing your locks as a part of your home security program. Maybe you’ve had a roommate leave or a bitter ex-lover, so changing the locks can keep you safer. It is usually inexpensive and can be done in less than 24 hours.

You can hide things in your walls. Jewelry and other small items can be protected very well when placed in hiding places in your walls. Just use an unwired electric plug, light switch or phone box. If you’re using all your outlets, you can install phony ones.

Be sure to secure the skylights to your home. Skylights are excellent for beauty and light, but it’s easy for burglars to gain access to your home through them. Check that skylights have heavy duty hardware that can stand up under unwanted tampering.

If you are new into a house, replace all the locks. The old owners may seem nice, but you don’t know everything about them. Also, there have likely been other owners of the home, and you don’t know them either.

Walls are great for hiding items. If you have small valuables you want to protect, consider hiding them inside your walls. You can use the opening provided by an electrical switch plate or other device that is not being used. Installing a false unused plate is very easy to do if your home doesn’t have one.

Are you aware that the wires located on the exterior of your house have value? Lots of people fail to appreciate this until they are hit by thieves. The wiring has copper and is easy to be quickly taken off a home. Be sure to keep your wiring hidden or difficult to reach.

Be sure your valuables are not visible from the outside of your house. Having large windows in front of your home may be a great way to see what is happening outside, but it can also give crooks a view inside your home. You always want to make sure you keep your valuables covered if they are by a window.

If you move to a dwelling that has had prior occupants, make sure you get the locks changed. Even though the previous tenant may have turned in their key, you never know if they have a copy. You might even install new locks yourself so that you know you have the only keys.

Never throw out boxes for expensive items until the day your trash is picked up. If you set these boxes out with the trash, thieves will know you have expensive items in your house.

Don’t limit security to the inside of your home; the outside needs attention too. All doors and windows must be unobstructed by shrubs, trees, fences, or plants. These types of places provide the perfect cover for prowlers. Keeping the areas around your windows free of plants can help to deter criminals from lurking too close to your home, without you noticing.

When moving into a previously owned home, change the locks. Although the previous owner should not have a key, there is no way for you to know this. You might even purchase and install your own locks so that you are assured of having the only keys.

Have your home security company inspect your home and suggest safety improvements. Everyone has specific wants and needs when it comes to securing their home, family and belongings. If you have found a company that could cater to your needs, then it is easy to get the security that will make you and your loved ones comfortable.

If you hire a security company, read any fine print. There may be some hidden fees, or a need to buy more equipment later. If you can’t avoid these types of fees, you should at least be aware of them.

Think about your specific needs and risks prior to investigating security systems. A home security system is a good idea; however, it is not the perfect solution for every home. In some situations, having a good dog and/or learning some self defense may be all that you really need to feel safe. Before you sink a lot of money into your home’s security, make sure that you’re properly addressing your particular risks.

Make an appointment with a home security company to evaluate the security needs of your home specifically. Every family is different, and so your security needs will be unique. The right company will make you feel more safe and secure in your home.

Consider installing a surveillance system. Video camera installation can effectively make your home secure. Visible cameras deter many intruders, but if they disable the cameras that they can see, your hidden camera can record the action. Many surveillance systems may be easily accessed through a cell phone so that you can check on your house while you’re away.

Consider your security risk and safety needs before purchasing home security systems. Generic systems aren’t for everyone. Sometimes just taking a class in self defense or adopting a loud dog is enough, while at other times a full fledged security system might be the way to go. Learn about all of your options before choosing anything.

Anytime you make a new electronics purchase, keep the boxes off the curb until the very last minute. If thieves see these type of boxes outside your home, they may want to break in to steal the items. Break up the boxes into smaller pieces before you put them near the curb.

If you just purchased electronics, do not leave empty boxes outside. A burglar sees this as an invitation to procure the item themselves. Break them down and put them in a bag or take them to a recycling center.

Blinds, shades and curtains are best closed when no one is home. Leaving the curtains up invites people to peer into your living room. If a burglar sees something that is enticing, they are going to try and get it from your home. Also lower them while you are sleeping.

Keeping a dog provides a great way to boost your home’s defense. Dogs become extremely protective of their families and bark when uneasy. Keeping a huge and ferocious canine is not necessary. Even tinier canines can ward off intruders with enough noise.

If you have a numeric keypad on your door as your lock, don’t make the password your birthday. Your birth date is pretty easy to come by, especially for seasoned thieves. Try making the number one that can be remembered by doing a match equation in order to remember that equation instead.

Find out about the various lengths of contracts your chosen home security company has on offer. There are sure to be both good points and bad points about each option. A contract that is longer might offer lower monthly payments, but you may have to continue with these if you decide to sell the house or discontinue services. A short contract will avoid this, but may be more costly.

If you often turn your lights off/on around 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.

If you turn lights on and off around the same time, try using a timer. This makes it easier for you as you won’t have to flip the switch, but it also ensures the lights continue to go on and off, even if you’re not at home for a long period of time.

There are many ways to make your home safer, both with and without home security systems. Other options include purchasing a gun, installing a fence or extra locks on your doors. Keep these things in mind when thinking about home security.

If the window of your living room faces the street, close your curtains at night. You want to avoid having people peek in the windows. If criminals can clearly view what’s going on in your house, it makes it easier for them to commit crimes. Lock everything up and shade your windows to stay discreet.