It’s important to do your homework in order to make an informed decision with regards to home security. This isn’t something you want to take lightly. Try focusing on how to boost the safety of your home for your family.

Consider using your dog as a place to store your spare key. Really this works only if you have a pet door or if your dog is an outdoor dog. Latch the key on his collar and voila–you have a spare key available!

Don’t use social media to announce that you will be gone for an extended period of time. If you do, burglars will know you’re not home and strike.

Any time you buy a new home, have the locks changed. You don’t know the exact number of copies of that key the previous owners have or have handed out. To ensure that you are the only one who has access to your house, call a locksmith. Also, you can contact a locksmith if you ever misplace your keys.

Make sure you trust your house cleaner before you provide them with a key. If you do give your housekeeper a key or plan on doing so, it is imperative that they are honest and upstanding. Check their references fully. If your cleaning person comes from a company, check with the BBB.

Get in the habit of checking your security system regularly. Your security company should send a representative to check your system. 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. You may not be able to tell there is an issue by yourself.

Does your dog stay outside while you are gone? She or he is actually a good place to keep the spare key. Secure the key on the inside of the dog’s collar. Your dog is an especially good key hiding spot if he doesn’t react well to strangers, since they won’t approach him, but the key will be there if you need it.

Buy a safe to keep all of your valuables in one place at home. This is vital if you don’t want diamonds, gold or other personal items exposed to a home intruder. Put the safe somewhere difficult to get to, like the attic.

Conceal valuable spaces within your walls. This doesn’t require tearing into your walls, of course. There are many spots in your home that already have areas that are pre-cut. For instance, consider using an electricity socket that is unused, and stash your precious jewelry in there.

Always take time to compare and research before investing in an expensive security system for your home. Prices for home security systems can vary and they do not all offer the same services. Get three quotes or more before making a choice.

If you own a garage, be sure to use it to place your car, as opposed to using it as a storage. Keeping your car inside will deter thieves from stealing or vandalizing it. Keeping your car out of sight is also a good way to prevent intruders from determining whether or not you are home.

Do you know how valuable the wires within your home are? Many folks are not aware of this until a thief steals it. The wiring contains valuable copper than can be quickly stripped from a home. Be sure to keep your wiring hidden or difficult to reach.

Security System

Regardless of the type of home security system you choose, be sure to have regular inspections and maintenance performed. Make certain the security company you choose provides for regular inspections. Many different things can make problems for your security system. If you cannot see a problem, you might not know one exists.

Before you let a security company representative enter your home, make sure they are in uniform, and don’t hesitate to ask them for identification. It is simple for a thief to pose as a representative of your home security company as a means of gaining access to your house. Don’t allow this to happen, as it is a direct threat to your house and its contents. Trust your gut and if something does not feel right, it is okay to go with your feelings.

Understand certain safety precautions when it comes to having skylights for your home. Skylights are nice to bring extra light into your house, but they are also easy ways for burglars to enter your home. Check that skylights have heavy duty hardware that can stand up under unwanted tampering.

Hide your valuables in the walls. Keep small, valuable items inside the walls of your home. Just open up an electrical outlet or a phone jack that is not in use. If you don’t have unused plates, it’s easy to put in a fake one.

Before you let any strangers enter your home, be sure you look over their references. A background check which includes any criminal history is warranted. You never really know if you can trust a service person, and giving access to the wrong one can prove disastrous.

The alarm system you choose should protect more than just the doors to your home. Windows need to be monitored too. Be sure your home alarm covers all entry points into your home. This helps ensure your family stays safe.

Check someone’s references carefully before letting them come into your home. Do not hesitate to hire someone to run a background check if you have doubts. It is not a good idea to give anyone a key to your home, even contractors or repairmen.

See how long the home security company has been around before you make any decisions. A long-standing company has a track record in the industry that people can attest to. It also ensures they’re not a fly-by-night firm.

If you want to make your house even more secure, a cheap way to do that is to buy outside lights with motion detectors. Nighttime security lights are affordable and effective in terms of security and handy in terms of visibility and safety. They also help to keep intruders away, because an intruder does not want to come close to your property if they know they might be spotted.

You should now know more about home security systems. There is no need to venture into home security matters blindly. You want to make your family’s safety your priority. Remember these tips as you formulate your home security plan.

Keep your home’s exterior well lit. Burglars like using darkness to hide. Put a light anywhere where an intruder can enter your home. Some examples include first story windows, garages, doorways and porches.