Most people think securing their home is going to be a real hassle. But there are simple things that you can do on your own. Keep reading to learn easy ways to secure your home.

When looking for a system to secure your home, do comparison shopping. You’ll find a wide range of prices from different companies. Obtain quotes from a minimum of three home security companies before making a final decision.

Make your home look occupied at all times. You can purchase inexpensive timers that will control different electronics and lights in your home. This gives off the appearance that someone is home. This is a great way to keep your home safe and avoid burglaries.

Hiding places for spare keys must be chosen with extreme care and caution. Above doors or under doormats are much too common to hide them and potential criminals will check them first. Try hiding your key on a lawn statue or in a potted plant.

After getting a new home, make sure to change its locks. You have no clue how many people were given keys by the former owner. To make sure you have the only access to the home, hire a locksmith. If you lose keys, make sure to do this, too.

Ask your friends for advice before you choose a home security system or company. You can benefit from the experience of others that have gone before you by paying attention to their recommendations and warnings. Be sure you seek out advice by asking those people.

Do you have an outside dog? They can help you with your spare key. Put it on their collar. Especially if pets don’t like strangers, this can be a useful way for having easy access to your house.

Don’t open your door when strangers are knocking. Criminals find ways to get people to open doors so they can commit crimes. Only open the door for people you are expecting.

Turn the ringer off on your telephone if you are going to be away. Intruders might be attracted by a phone that rings constantly without anyone picking up.

Make sure to clear your yard of brush and dead wood in the summertime. These can pose a fire hazard due to heat and storms with lightning. Clear your yard often if you want to prevent a fire from starting.

Don’t be shy. Speak to your neighbors. Keep watch of their homes when they are away, and ask if they will return the favor. Also consider listening in on some of the neighborhood gossip. You never know what sort of security issues you might become privy to.

See if your area police department has any home security programs. Many police departments will offer expert advice, arrange inspections, sponsor neighborhood watches, and help you mark and register your valuables. Contact your local police department to find out if they offer this type of program.

The first thing to do is get your locks changed out. Whether you just bought your home or someone just moved out that you were living with, this is an important step to any new situation. This is a very easy process that you can complete within a day.

Keep valuables out of sight of windows. A big front window gives you a good view; however, it also gives burglars a good view of the interior of your house. If you’ve got street facing windows, be sure and keep them covered.

People who live rurally often don’t think about home security. Some people think that country folk are mainly targeted since they don’t have nearby neighbors. Still there are those that think that burglars are not as likely to target rural areas.

Once you’ve moved to a new house, make it a priority to replace all locks. You don’t really know the people you purchased the house from or all the folks they shared keys with, so don’t place too much trust in the old locks. Remember that different families might have dwelt there before this person.

Don’t forget to secure your skylights too. While they are there to let light in, if you do not care for it properly it could also let in a thief. Keep them secure with heavy duty hardware that closes them off to potential thieves.

When a security company wants in your home ask for an ID and see if they’re in uniform. Thieves may say they are from a certain company to get into your home. Intruders could disguise themselves as home security representatives to inspect your current security system. Make sure you are as cautious as you can be.

Use your walls as hiding spaces. This does not mean that you should make alterations to your walls. Take a closer look at your walls and note just how many access points there are already. If you have an electric socket you do not use, hide valuables behind their covers.

Keep your home’s exterior well lit. Burglars tend to commit crimes at night. Motion sensor lights can work great because they can also alert you when someone does come onto the property. This can include the garage, doorways, porches and other areas which invite an intruder in.

Hiding Places

If you get home and see the door is slightly open, don’t go inside by yourself to investigate. This can be very dangerous because the thief could still be inside. It is best to call the police right away and go to a safe place until the police check your home.

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. Rest assured, thieves have a good idea about these hiding places. Rather, give your spare key to a neighbor or friend that you trust.

Think about getting a home security system that is wireless. These systems are much more efficient and can save you time and hassle. Wireless options are easy to install, need less maintenance and are not dependent on the home’s power source.

Always lock your house, even if you are only going to be away for a few minutes. Most real-world burglars aren’t master lock-breakers; they simply stroll in through a door left carelessly unlocked. A burglar can steal a lot of expensive stuff in a short amount of time.

If you purchase a new, pricey electronic like a TV or computer, don’t leave the empty box near your curb. Burglars will instantly take notices of these boxes and what used to be in them, making you an easy burglary target. Break down the empty boxes whenever possible.

When you are trying to hire a home security contractor, read all the small print on your contract before signing it. There may be hidden expenses involved if you terminate service before the contract term is up, and there may be added equipment fees. You should avoid these fees as much as you can; therefore, you need to know of their existence.

When standing in the street, can you see your house numbers? In the event of an emergency, police officers may have trouble finding your house if they cannot read your address numbers. This is easy and inexpensive to fix if you believe there could be a problem.

It’s smart to use the Internet when you are looking for a good security company for your home. Take a look at various websites and read over customer testimonials and details about various packages. Put together a list of the different home security companies you want to know more about and give them a call.

Dogs are among the most effective home burglary systems. Man’s best friend is very territorial and makes a lot of noise during anything happening out of the ordinary. It doesn’t need to be a huge dog either. A terrier will make enough of a fuss to stop someone from breaking in.

Keep safety in mind when doing landscaping. There should be no plants or greenery in front of doors or windows. This makes it where people can’t hide in different nooks and crevices. Plan your greenery and shrubbery for areas away from the direct path to your home to add beauty while still keeping your house safe.

If you have rooms that are off limits to kids and company, the following is a great solution. Keyless locks require a code to unlock the door. You can install them yourself or you can hire a home security firm.

Ask your security provider about their history in the business. 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 can ease your mind when you know you’re not doing business with a company that might not be around tomorrow.

Inquire with your company if they allow both leases and purchases of equipment. You can avoid interest rates by buying the security system right away. Leasing is cheaper, but it can involve contracts and pricier monthly fees. Look at both of these to see what works for you.

There are a number of steps that can be taken for home security without installing a formal system. There are quite a few options available to you that will help your home be more secure. Keep these tips in mind as you look for ways to make your own home more secure.

Make sure you have the curtains drawn if your windows are faced toward the street. You shouldn’t be inviting people to look at your stuff through the window. If someone has the intention to burglarize your neighborhood, you would not want him to see your belongings and target your house. Walk around your house to find out what can be seen and then block it.