If you want to know a lot when it comes to home security, then you are at the right place. This is not the time to just pick the cheapest or easiest option. Get good information and stay in control of the situation. Read on for excellent tips and ideas to help secure your home.

Look for ways to make your home seem occupied. There are timers you can use to make electronics turn on and off at random times. This will make your home look like someone is in it. This will help to deter burglars.

Your dog can safeguard an extra key. Of course, your dog has to be an outdoor dog (or you at least need to have a doggy door) for this to work. You can attach a copy of your key to the dog’s collar, so when you need that spare, you’ve got one handy!

Does your dog stay outside while you are gone? You could let your dog carry a spare key. Attach your key to your dog’s collar, ensuring that it can’t be seen. If your dog is suspicious of strangers, you have found a good hiding place for your key.

Buy a safe to contain everything of great value. This ensures during a break in that the most important things are not stolen. Your safe should be placed somewhere it is not readily noticeable.

Hide your spare key in a place where no one would think to look for it. The doormat is too obvious of a place to hide it, as robbers will look there first. Try hiding your key somewhere more unique, like your outside dog’s collar.

Do not tell anyone that you are going on vacation out of your friend circle. While these platforms are there for sharing, this is announcing to the world that your home is an open target.

It is important that you check your home security system periodically, at least once a year. This should be performed by a technician from your security company. There are quite a few things that can negatively impact the effectiveness of home security equipment. For example, adverse weather conditions or pests such as raccoons can cause problems. If it’s not visible, you might not even know there’s a problem.

If you will be vacationing for an extended period of time, turn off the ringer on all the phones in your house. A burglar might hear your phone ring and ring and ring, then realize that you are not home to answer it.

Try not to have a shy attitude. Speak with your neighbors. Ask them to keep an eye on your home, and do the same thing for them. You shouldn’t neglect gossip. You may end up hearing about things such as odd folks roaming about the neighborhood.

Determine what sort of home protection services or programs the local police department has to offer. Many programs include how to use some engraving tools to create code numbers for identifying valuables that are stolen, home inspection, and advice on protective measures. Call and see what is available.

Put motion-sensor lights into your home. They turn on only if someone is nearby. These lights will make you aware of, and can also scare off, potential burglars. Replace bulbs regularly and check the sensors once a month.

Go with your instincts when choosing a security system company. If the men who come to your home to do the installation seem untrustworthy, you can change your mind. You should not hesitate to ask if you can work with a different representative or find a different company if you are not comfortable. Ultimately, the whole point is for you to have peace of mind.

Your home may be equipped with skylights, and if so you must not neglect them in your security planning. Skylights are a wonderful addition to any home, but they also tend to be weak spots that intruders take advantage of. The hardware that secures your skylights should be sturdy and durable.

Conceal valuable spaces within your walls. Don’t make it obvious by cutting out big chunks of drywall. There are many locales that are already around your home. Remove the wires from an electric socket you do not use so you can hide your valuable jewelry.

The walls of your home make for great hiding spots. If you have small valuables you want to protect, consider hiding them inside your walls. Target any unused phone jacks or electrical outlets for an easy hiding spot. A security store will sell fake plates you can install anywhere.

No one should be able to see your valuables from outside. It may be great to have large windows with a view, but this means that people can look in. You should cover any windows that are facing the street so your valuables will be safe.

Use the space in walls to store your prized possessions. You don’t have to damage the walls to do so. Many places around your house have areas that are already pre-cut. How about unwiring an electricity socket and using it as cover for a place to stash valuable jewelry?

Never throw out boxes for expensive items until the day your trash is picked up. Having these boxes around will let thieves know the type of items that are inside your home.

Even if you only plan to be gone for a very short time, lock your house. Most real-world burglars aren’t master lock-breakers; they simply stroll in through a door left carelessly unlocked. A thief can steal lots of stuff in a little amount of time.

The wiring outside of your home can be valuable. The majority of people aren’t aware of this fact until a burglar steals these wires. Wiring can be removed from the outside of a home in a heartbeat. That’s why it’s important to hide your wiring, or make it hard for criminals to have access to it.

If you have just bought any pricey new goods, never toss the boxes onto the curb prior to the garbage man’s arrival. Having these boxes nearby can tell robbers what kind of merchandise you’ve got in your house.

You can keep intruders away by always having your house lit up. Most burglars rely on concealment to approach a home. With a well-lit home, thieves cannot hide or break in unnoticed. Keep those lights shining brightly at night.

When searching for methods of improving your home’s security, a great, inexpensive method of doing this is purchasing exterior lights with installed motion detectors. These lights not only give off light at night, but can also offer security around your home. Positioned correctly, these lights can make it impossible for intruders to get on your property undetected.

If you get home and your door is open, do not enter ti investigate. It can be dangerous to walk in on an intruder. Instead, call the police to inform them of what happened, and wait on them.

An important part of vetting any security company before you sign a contract with them is finding out how long they’ve been providing security services in your community. Companies that have been around for awhile show that they can provide reliable support. You’ll find it a lot easier to put your faith in the professionals if you take the time to verify their trustworthiness.

You need a home security system. This will allow you to see who is around your house. Most intruders are discouraged by visible cameras. But, if they attempt to disable the camera, you will still be able to see them if you have a hidden camera. There are surveillance systems that you can access and check by cell phone.

You should think about your own safety when comparing different home security options. Generic systems aren’t for everyone. Some neighborhoods feel more safe than others, but a good security system definitely makes you feel more safe. Comprehend the risks associated with your home security so you now can make a more well-informed buying decision.

Always keep your shades, curtains and blinds closed when you are not at home. Leaving the curtains up invites people to peer into your living room. If their eyes fall on something they like, they are going to think about breaking in. Curtains and blinds should be drawn shut while you are asleep.

Do not buy spring latch locks. Spring latch locks are the easiest locks to gain entry with, as they can be opened with a simple credit card. A card can be placed between the latch and the door, and this will open it. Add a deadbolt to existing spring latch locks for maximum security.

Store those items you can’t bear to lose in a very secure area. Some of these items can include legal documents, jewelry, passports, and priceless family photos. You can buy a cheap floor safe to put these items in. An even better idea is to store them in a safe deposit box outside the home.

If the cost of maintenance is a concern, a hard-wired system may be your best choice. Systems that are wireless are convenient, but the batteries required can be cumbersome. You might forget to change out the batteries, which will result in your system not operating as it should. Furthermore, it can be costly to replace multiple batteries.

A sliding glass door is not very safe. They can be unlocked with a bit if jiggling. Place a pipe in the door crevice to keep the door secure. This will help keep the door tightly closed and make it hard to open.

Motion sensitive lighting can be provided by your security company. A lot of them have this, and they cause outside lights to come on when people approach your home. This will make an intruder hesitant to break in, and it will provide you with additional safety whenever you arrive home late at night.

Second floor windows have to be locked tight, too. Many people think a criminal won’t check them. Yes, burglars will go up there. This is a common weak spot in most people’s home security, and thieves are very aware of this.

Make sure you select captive keylock deadbolts. These locks has a thumb latch to prevent anybody from reaching through an opening close by in an attempt to open the lock. Anytime you are home, keep the key inside the lock in case you need to exit your home during an emergency, like a fire.

There are some obvious benefits to having a big dog with an intimidating bark. A barking dog will keep most intruders away. Choose a dog who looks scary but loves your family.

Don’t let people see into your home. Letting anyone on the street get a look at your possessions will allow would-be thieves to do some literal window shopping. Window treatments are a wonderful way to maintain privacy in your home. If you don’t think this is possible in a certain room, put more valuable items in a different room.

The external wiring on your home can be easy pickings for thieves. The copper in components and wiring is being sold for lots of cash. Hiding your wiring will thwart robbers from removing the copper and leaving the bill with you for the extensive repair costs.

Keep carbon monoxide and smoke detectors clean. Lint and dust can accumulate, making them ineffective. That is why detectors can’t help protect your house from carbon monoxide and smoke.

Follow the advice presented here to move forward in choosing a home security system. Having the proper information regarding home security can really help you to get the most out of keeping your home safe. Protect your home and your family by applying what you’ve learned from this article.

Video surveillance systems are a crooks nightmare. The typical burglar does not wear a mask like the fictional crooks in the movies. Quite a few home burglars won’t wear a face covering because their plan is to avoid contact with others. If they notice a security system, they won’t bother.