If you are unsure what your security options for your home are, then keep reading in order to learn more. This is an important decision involving a costly investment. You need the right information to make the right decision.

Make your house look like it’s always occupied. Buy timers so that lights, radios, TVs and all other electronics turn on and off at various times. This gives off the appearance that someone is home. This is an effective deterrent against burglars.

You should always make sure your home looks like its occupied. Put timers on the TV, lights and radios. This makes it appear that someone is home. This helps you keep your house burglar-free.

Solicit word of mouth recommendations from friends, colleagues and family members to find a great home security company or system. Others have likely had both good and bad experiences that they can share with you that can then save you a lot of stress and time. Be sure you seek out advice by asking those people.

Use your dog as the protector of your spare key. If your dog lives outside or is able to come and go through a dog door, this is a viable idea. Just place your key on your dog’s collar.

Never open up your door to a stranger. Burglars are getting creative, and they will do anything they can to gain access to your home. Make it a habit to only open your home’s door to people you were expecting.

It is a good idea to replace all the locks on the new home you buy. You have no clue how many people were given keys by the former owner. Hire a locksmith so that you can be sure you are the only person who can access your home. When you lose your keys, have your locks rekeyed.

Don’t be shy. It is important to communicate with others who also live in your area. Watch their homes for suspicious activity and get their word that they will do the same thing for you. Pay attention to gossip. You might actually learn a thing or two concerning people that have been hanging around.

Security systems are more than just an alarm. You can have your system alert you of any movement in certain areas of your home. Parents of children can track their kids this way.

Hide your valuables in the walls. Small valuables fit nicely inside walls. You could use a phone jack, electrical outlet or a switch plate. If you’re using all your outlets, you can install phony ones.

Buy a safe and use it to hold all of the valuables in your home. A safe is the best way to protect your diamonds, gold and important documents. Hide the safe in a very hard to reach place like the attic or a closet in the basement.

Consider hiding valuables within your walls. You don’t have to damage the walls to do so. There are many locales that are already around your home. For example, place jewelry in an unused electrical outlet.

Make sure the ringer on any phones in your home is turned off when you leave for vacation. When burglars hear phones ringing for an extended period of time in a home, they know that there is no one there to answer.

Lock up your house every time you leave. It is more common than you would believe for a thief to find a home, try the door and walk right in when it’s unlocked. It can be a quick job for a burglar to steal items of great value.

Your home security system ought to be checked each year. Make certain the security company you choose provides for regular inspections. Many factors cause issues with security systems like nature and wild animals. If the problem isn’t visible, you may be unaware of it.

After installing a security system in your home, make sure any wires are hidden. A burglar can easily cut and disconnect wires that are left visible. Don’t make it easy for an intruder, have the wires buried or hidden within the home’s walls. This helps keep you and your family safe.

Find a home security company you can trust. You are giving someone unlimited access to your home, so be sure the installer doesn’t give you a bad vibe. Never be afraid to ask for a new installer or to get an entirely new firm. The point of having a security system is to make yourself feel at ease.

When you purchase big, expensive items be sure to break down the boxes and take them to the recycling center yourself. Having these boxes around will let thieves know the type of items that are inside your home.

A wall is a great hiding place. Concealing small valuables in your walls is an easy and highly effective way to protect them. Just open up an electrical outlet or a phone jack that is not in use. You put in a fake plate if there aren’t any unused in your home.

One relatively inexpensive way to add an extra layer of protection to your home is to install motion sensor lights for the exterior of your home. These lights not only give off light at night, but can also offer security around your home. If the lights are positioned correctly on your home, then it makes it much less likely for a burglar to enter.

Look for an alarm system that does more than protect your doors. Windows need to be monitored too. Therefore, ensure the windows have an attached alarm. All potential entry points should have an alarm. This is great for keeping the family secure.

When you consider a security company, be certain you read the details and fine print of the contract you’re about to sign. There may be some hidden fees, or a need to buy more equipment later. You’ll definitely want to avoid these types of fees if you can, so read carefully.

Never throw out boxes for expensive items until the day your trash is picked up. Letting such packaging sit out will signal to criminals that there are good things to be found in your house.

Make an appointment with a home security company to evaluate the security needs of your home specifically. Everyone has different needs, and your security system should be designed to protect your home and family. By locating the company that will create the best plan for you, you will be assured you are receiving the best possible home security.

Inquire with your home security service as to how long they’ve been in business. You can be sure that an established company has a good track record of providing solid and reliable service. Knowing you are not dealing with a fly by night company gives you extra peace of mind when making this important decision.

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. Request that the police come and have them go in and check it out, before you go in yourself.

The areas outside your home should be kept well lit. Burglars like the cover of darkness to commit their crimes. Install lights by each and every entryway to your home. Don’t forget that this includes ground-level windows as well as doors, garages, and porches.

Get a paper shredder. Many thieves sift through trash for personal info and to figure out when you plan to be away. You could also simply take care to tear up your discarded papers.

Always request that your house or pet sitter remove fliers from your door. Crafty burglars will leave fliers on homes, and check to see if they’re being removed as a means for determining whether or not the home is vacant. If the flier isn’t removed, the burglar knows the homeowner isn’t there.

Get your neighbors to not only pick up your mail, but also any flyers left at your door. Sometimes burglars leave fliers in an attempt to see if anyone is home to remove them. Fliers that are left behind signal to the burglar that there is no one at home.

Stand out in your street, and look toward your home. Are you able to see the numbers of your home? If your numbers cannot be plainly seen, then the police will struggle to locate your home very quickly in case of emergency. This is easy and inexpensive to fix if you believe there could be a problem.

Are your house numbers visible from the street? Small or obscured numbers can make it difficult for emergency personnel to locate your home. Luckily, this is a quick and inexpensive fix if you notice that there is a problem.

Your dog is a great tool for protecting your home from intruders. Dogs can be extremely protective of their space and are great at barking when something is afoot. That is not to say that a big, scary dog is required. Even tinier canines can ward off intruders with enough noise.

If you’ve got a type of numeric keypad on the front door, don’t use your birthday as the password. Anyone can get personal information online which they can use to access your home. Think instead of a more creative way to keep track of your code.

When you’re not in your house, all of the window coverings (blinds, curtains, shades, or what have you) should be tightly shut. Intruders can see into your home if they are left up. If their eyes fall on something they like, they are going to think about breaking in. These should also be kept down while you’re sleeping.

If the door isn’t solid wood or metal, then replace it with a door that is. Durability is key. These materials make it difficult for a would-be thief to break down the door. It should be possible for you to find replacements for all of your doors for a good price, so do it right away.

If you’ve paid attention to the information that has been presented to you, then you are ready to rock. It’s important that you realize the magnitude of the situation, as it has everything to do with keeping your family safe in your home. Apply the knowledge that you have gained to implement your security plan.

The sliding doors made of glass that you see on many modern homes are actually a big security concern. These can become unlocked very easy by burglars. If you haven’t hooked them up to your security system, you can install some pipe to fit within your door channel. This will prevent the door from moving or becoming unlocked.