Learning the basics of home security is something that all homeowners need to do. There is a lot of information out there about the subject. By reading this article, you’ll get a good overview of the basics of home security.

You can hide your spare key on your dog. In order to make this work, your dog either needs to stay outside or have access to a pet door. You could simply put a key onto your dog’s collar, so it is always handy.

Turn off your phone’s ringer when you go on vacation. A constantly ringing phone lets thieves know that you are not home and could increase the chances of you getting robbed.

Do you have an outdoor dog? Using Fido to hide your spare key can be a clever trick. Conceal it in the dog’s collar. This is very effective if your pet is afraid of strangers; therefore, burglars are not very likely to notice the key.

Home security systems offer other triggering features besides having an alarm sound. They can actually be set to chime whenever a monitored door is opened. This is a valuable safety feature for parents of small children since they know if their child has exited the home.

You should never open your door to someone you do not know. Criminals can be endlessly inventive when it comes to generating a convincing story to force their way into your home. No matter how sympathetic the story, remember that it could all be a put-on. Keep a hard, fast rule that says you only open the door for invited guests in order to keep your family safe.

Social networking sites are great for keeping in touch, but post information sparingly. For example, you might avoid broadcasting when you are going out of town, especially if your friends list contains casual acquaintances. There may be a thief within this list and you would have been inviting him straight through your front door!

It is always best to not let people in that just show up out of the blue. Even if someone has a good story, requires help or has a great product to sell, ignore them. This person might just be casing the joint to see if there is home security equipment.

Be sure you have secured your attached garage. There is a solution for people that are worried about burglars going into their home through an attached garage. If your garage lifts up on a track, try using a C-clamp. This will prevent your door from opening up if the clamp is close to its roller.

Home protection program details may be available at your police station. Many police departments will offer expert advice, arrange inspections, sponsor neighborhood watches, and help you mark and register your valuables. Call and see what is available.

Use your garage for what it was intended: your car. If your car is locked up inside, it cannot be stolen or vandalized. Hiding it will help to deter people from tracking the times you aren’t there.

See if your area police department has any home security programs. There are plenty of things that can be done, from a safety walk to cataloging expensive items to help protect your investment and your family. Contact the police department to see if they have something similar.

Motion sensor lights are a great investment. These lights will come on if someone walks near your home. They help notify you of any movement around your house and deter burglars too. Just remember to change out the bulbs every so often so the lights remain in working order.

Go with your gut when choosing a home security company to install a system. This is definitely the case if you’re not quite sure about the actual installation people. Never hesitate to has for a new technician or even go with a different company altogether. 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.

Do not be shy. Talk to your neighbors. Watch their homes for suspicious activity and get their word that they will do the same thing for you. Don’t ignore any gossip either. You might hear helpful information, for instance if strangers have been hanging around.

If you bought any expensive or large items, don’t throw the boxes out until the day trash is scheduled to be removed. They show the world you have money and lots of valuables inside.

Ask your security provider about their history in the business. Companies that have been around for awhile show that they can provide reliable support. Being in the hands of a good company helps you have peace about your decision.

If you have skylights, do not neglect them when making sure your home is secure. Intruders could use skylights to enter your home. Your skylights need durable and reliable hardware for true protection.

For maximum safety, your home needs bright exterior lighting. Burglars tend to commit crimes at night. Install lights by each and every entryway to your home. Make sure your porch, garage, doorways and windows are well lit.

A wireless security system for your home is a great option. While the wired systems are less expensive, they usually mean rather intrusive wiring for your house, which can also go out during power outages. A wireless system is easy to install, and will not become inoperable if your power goes out.

Do you know how valuable the wires within your home are? Many people do not realize this until a crook steals it off of their home. A skilled intruder could remove all the copper from your home within less than an hour. Hide the wiring and make it harder to access to prevent this from happening.

When standing in the street, can you see your house numbers? During an emergency crisis, smaller numbers prevent emergency personnel from finding your home quickly. This is a project any homeowner can tackle.

A great protection against burglars is owning a dog. Canines are notoriously protective of their family and domicile. You don’t even need a huge, vicious dog. Even tiny dogs that make a ton of noise will deter a potential crime.

Before allowing someone into your house, be sure to carefully check their references. You should do a background check as well to find out their criminal history. Someone can seem nice and professional on the outside, but they may not be so nice on the inside.

Your security company might give you the option to lease and eventually buy your security equipment. Although purchasing the equipment will likely cost you more money initially, this cost will only occur one time. It won’t be a cost you have to pay for every month. Leasing is a good way to avoid the initial expense, but you will have to pay monthly fees. Compare both avenues to see which one is better suited for your needs.

Make sure that your key is in a hidden place. It’s easy to see fake rocks. Many people also know to check under the welcome mat. It is best to simply ask a neighbor or trusted friend to hold on to an extra key for you. If this is not possible, think on how you will hide it.

To increase your home’s security, buy some outdoor lights that are motion activated. In the evening, lights will help keep your home safe, and will add little in the way of extra expense. Intruders will not be able to sneak into your home if you place your motion detector in the right spot.

Think about a security system that is hard-wired if you really have concerns about maintenance costs. Wireless systems are convenient, but they require multiple sets of batteries that have to be changed out on a regular basis. If you do forget to have them changed, the system will not work right. Replacing batteries can get costly.

If you have a living room window that faces the street, draw your curtains at night. You don’t need to have an invitation to people through your window. If possible burglars get a look at what you own, they might target you next. Minimize your chances of burglary by minimizing what in your home is visible to the public.

Having a bright and lit-up home at night deters crooks. They wish to avoid detection. By minimizing dark and shady areas, you are taking away a potential burglar’s hiding spots. Keep your home lit up all night long.

It will be well worth your time to learn about ways to make your home safer. Unfortunately, sorting out the good information from the bad can be difficult. This information can pay a lot of dividends from a monetary and personal perspective.