What is a safe and secure home worth? Do you think that most major security companies are too costly? Are you longing for less expensive options? Well, you’re in luck, and these options are right in front of you. This article has some cheap home security tips.

Do you keep your dog outside when you aren’t home? They may provide you with a useful place to hide your key. Attach your key to your dog’s collar, ensuring that it can’t be seen. If your dog does not like strangers, this can help ensure consistent access to the house.

Look for ways to make your home seem occupied. You could purchase timers which make lights and TV’s, as well as other devices, power on or off at varying intervals. This makes it look as though people are home no matter what. This helps you keep your house burglar-free.

Buy fire resistant flooring, roofing and ceiling. This helps protect your home when you dwell in a more dry climate. It’s best to prevent a fire before it starts.

Spare Key

Don’t post online when you’ll be away from your home. Potential intruders could get a good idea of when you will be gone by monitoring what you share on social networks.

Place your spare key securely on your dog’s collar. But, this is only effective if your home has a pet door or your dog stays outdoors when you are not home. You can purchase a special collar that will hold your spare key, so when you forget your keys your dog can let you in.

Don’t open your door if a stranger is on the other side. Nowadays, thieves are creative when thinking of ways to get homeowners to open a door and let them in. Make sure everyone in your house knows not to open the door unless they know the person standing outside.

A good security system has many more features than sounding the alarm during a break-in. Many can be set for sounding their alarm if anyone enters. This is important if you have small kids.

See if your local police department offers any home inspection or other protection programs. Many police departments offer programs that can include home inspections, home security training and more. Ask your police department to see if these types of programs are available.

Seek recommendations from friends and family when choosing a security company or system. There are likely people you know that have had either good or bad experiences with these companies. Ask a few different people to help you make the best choice.

Ensure that valuables are stored in a hidden area that isn’t visible from outside your home. 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. If you have windows that face the street, always keep them covered and keep your valuables safe.

When you’re going away, turn off your phone ringers. A loud ring that goes unanswered can alert people to the fact that you aren’t home. This makes you more likely to be the victim of a burglary.

Always lock your house, no matter how briefly you expect to be gone. This is often a surprise, but the majority of burglaries are due to someone just waltzing right into an unlocked home. A thief can steal lots of stuff in a little amount of time.

Never open the door for a stranger. Criminals find ways to get people to open doors so they can commit crimes. Only open the door for people you are expecting.

If your home isn’t new, replace the locks. Even if you’ve gotten a key from the previous owner or tenant, there could still be a lot of people out there who have keys to your home. You might even install new locks yourself so that you know you have the only keys.

Request information from your local law enforcement agencies about home protection packages. 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. Ask your police department to see if these types of programs are available.

Inquire with your home security service as to how long they’ve been in business. A company that’s been around for a while has proven that their service is reliable. You may not feel as safe if you opt to go with a company that has not been in business for long or that does not have a stable history.

Use your garage for your car and not for storage. If your car is locked up inside, it cannot be stolen or vandalized. Besides, intruders will have a hard time determining whether or not you are home if you keep your car inside your garage.

Consider your personal needs for safety and your security risks prior to looking for security systems. Although these systems can protect you and your family, not everybody needs them. In certain areas, it may be just as useful to learn self defense or buy a dog, whereas other places may require added measures. Before you sink a lot of money into your home’s security, make sure that you’re properly addressing your particular risks.

Don’t be shy. Talk to your neighbors. Keep an eye on their houses and yards and request that they return the favor. It’s best to be in on any rumors in the area. You will learn a lot from your neighbors, including details about recent break ins in the area and the shady individuals they noticed.

If you see that the door is open, do not enter the house. This is dangerous since the thief may still be on your property. Instead, call 911 and report a possible break-in.

Install lights that have motion sensors. These kinds of lights will pop right on when they detect motion near your home. You will receive advance warning of any potential issues, and a would-be intruder will probably be scared off. Get in the habit of checking and replacing the bulbs as necessary to ensure the lights remain effective.

Consider installing a surveillance system for your home. Both hidden and visible security cameras are effective in protecting your home. Visible cameras deter the majority of intruders, and if they try to disarm them, a camera that is hidden will keep capturing footage. Many surveillance systems may be easily accessed through a cell phone so that you can check on your house while you’re away.

When having a company install your security system, you must trust your feelings. Don’t hire anyone who makes you uncomfortable. You don’t want to refrain from choosing a different company or technician. Remember, the new security apparatus is meant to make you feel safe and secure.

Ask the security company about various contract lengths. Each will have its own pros and some cons, too. Long contracts may cost less each month, but it could leave you with a larger bill if you decide to end your service. A short contract will avoid this, but may be more costly.

If you’re in a rural place, you might not be as worried about break-ins as those that are in the city. However, there is the belief that rural dwellers are more susceptible to break ins simply because there are no nearby neighbors. Others feel rural residents have a lower risk of being burglarized.

Inquire into both purchase and lease options for your security system. You’ll spend less money in the long-run if you buy the equipment outright. Leasing is often less expensive, but it may involve contracts and higher monthly fees. Think about both options before making a decision.

If you’ve got skylights, don’t forget about it when it comes to home security. Intruders could use skylights to enter your home. Any skylights in your home should be secured with strong hardware.

Do not store your car registration documents in your glove compartment. If someone finds them, they’ll know your address. Instead, carry them with you or find a more secure location in your car. They must still be easily accessible should you be stopped by police.

The walls are a perfect hiding place. Hide valuables inside of your walls. Just take advantage of the phone jack, electrical outlet or unused switch plate. You can also just put in a false plate to cover a hiding place.

If you have a door that isn’t solid wood or metal, change it for either one. Metal and solid wooden doors hold tight and fast. Burglars would have a hard time kicking such doors down. You should replace each exterior door in the home before doing the minimal amount, as soon as you can.

Rotten wood on door and window frames needs to be repaired. Anyone can gain access to our home by prying away the rotted wood. Replace rotting wood with fresh wood to improve your home’s security.

Ask the security company you hire whether they have lights with motion sensors. Most companies will provide customers with this luxury. When anyone gets too close to the entry way, the lights turn on. This can add extra security as you go into your house, and it can keep intruders away.

Always check references before letting anyone work on your home. A background check which includes any criminal history is warranted. There is no way of knowing whether or not service people are honest, so you should not give them keys to your home.

Your alarm will only work if the police are notified. Even better is to purchase alarms that are monitored centrally, so that the police are automatically contacted. Don’t rely on anyone else to call.

Be sure to make good use of the Internet when you’re trying to select your home security company. You should look at testimonials from customers and different information you can find. After reading about these services, you can narrow down the results and use appointments for price comparisons.

While gossip and scandals aren’t the most wholesome neighborhood topics, it’s best to stay in the loop. If there are unfamiliar people hanging around, the busybodies in your neighborhood will notice. If you are friendly with them, it increases the chances of them alerting you right away.

Get some professional assistance by asking a home security company to come to your house and work up a plan for a customized security system. Every house and every family will produce a unique set of security concerns that are best addressed with tailor-made security arrangements. When you choose a company that pays close attention to detail in creating your home security plan, you will feel very secure.

If you are a woman, you are much more at risk for a burglary. A pair of big muddy boots placed outside your door gives the impression that a man lives there. This should keep most intruders away.

It all depends on what you are able to afford when it comes to home security. Even if high-tech, cutting edge security systems are out of your price range, there’s still plenty you can do to make your home secure. This article should have presented a number of tips that you can use to make your home more secure. They may be the best, most effective bargain ever.

You need to replace the locks of a home you just bought, no matter who previously lived there. This should be done for rented and bought homes. Do your own lock replacement, or see if a locksmith or landlord will do it.