It’s important to do your homework in order to make an informed decision with regards to home security. You must plan carefully before making this decision. Go over this article to learn more about home security and how you can protect your home.

Make sure your home appears occupied. You could purchase timers and have your TVs, lights, radios and other types of electronics to go on at various times. This way, it will appear that you are at home. This can be a terrific method of securing your home and keeping burglars at bay.

Consider using your dog as a place to store your spare key. But, this is only effective if your home has a pet door or your dog stays outdoors when you are not home. Simply affix a spare key to the collar of the animal. You’ll always have a backup plan if you lose your key!

The only time you should give out house keys to house cleaners is if you absolutely trust them. If you do give out a key to such individuals, be certain you know their reputation for honesty. Make sure you check references. If your cleaning person comes from a company, check with the BBB.

Be sure to keep your car in your garage rather than filling your garage with stored belongings. In this way, your car will be safer. Protect your car from vandals by keeping it in the garage. Additionally, if your car is put away, burglars will not be able to tell whether or not you are home.

Do you have an outside dog? He or she is actually a great place to store your spare key. Fasten the key to your dog’s collar to hide it from view. 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.

It doesn’t matter how much money you spent, you should have an annual test. Have a worker from the security company take a look at it. Many things can impact the performance of a security system, such as animals and weather. It’s quite possible for there to be a fault in your system even if you can’t see it.

Do you live outside the city? You might be less worried about home invasions than if you lived in an urban area. On a different note, some people believe homeowners in more rural areas are more likely to experience robberies because of the lack of nearby neighbors. Others hold that burglars are not as likely to target rural areas.

Hiding places for spare keys must be chosen with extreme care and caution. Avoid cliched hiding places like over the door frame or beneath the doormat. Experienced criminals will check these places immediately. A possible solution is to attach a key to your outdoor dog’s collar.

Don’t forget about the skylights when securing your home. Although skylights provide your home with a lot of light, it is also very helpful for burglars to break in. Your skylights should have strong components that can withstand tampering.

After bringing home a big-ticket item, such as an appliance or electronic device, avoid leaving the packages on the curb before trash day. Doing so is like giving a burglar an invitation to target your home; he or she will know there is something good inside.

Your flooring and roofing should be fire resistant. This can provide additional safety to the home, particularly in dry regions. Fire prevention should be taken seriously because it can stop a major disaster from happening.

The wiring on your house is valuable to burglars. Many folks are not aware of this until a thief steals it. It does not take much time to strip off the expensive copper wires from the exterior of your house. Hide your wiring for optimum security.

Door Frame

Before agreeing to work with a security company, check with your friends and family for recommendations. Others may have had bad and good experiences that they share with you so that you may be able to save time and stress. Ask around to get lots of advice for making a better choice.

Replace rotted wood that surrounds your door frame. It is simple for a robber to pry away rotting wood and enter your home. Replace the rotting door frame with a new one and keep your home much safer.

Flashlights in your home should always have newer batteries if your power goes out. Flashlights are critical, and provide you with the freedom to move about as needed. Make sure each member of your family knows where the flashlights are and how to operate them.

If you have an attached garage, don’t forget to secure it as well. A lot of garage owners fret over burglars entering this way, but there are answers. A C-clamp is very useful for garage doors that lift on tracks. It will prevent garage doors from opening up whenever it is near the roller and is tight on the track.

Keeping your house bright and lit at night will deter many crooks. They do not desire to be seen. A well-lit home is like a red flag to a burglar. Keep lights on during the night.

You should find out how many years of experience your home security service has. Find a home security company that has a good reputation and many years of experience to get excellent service. 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.

Contact the local police department to find out more about the protection programs they offer. The police can offer you some great advice, help you engrave valuables and even come check out your home. Call the local police department and inquire as to what programs they offer.

Think about what you need to feel safe before considering security systems. While these systems could be good for protecting your family, they aren’t for everyone. Some neighborhoods may do better with self-defense classes or having a dog, while others may require the best home security technology you can get. Know the risks so that you can make a better decision.

Are you able to see the numbers on your house from the street? If an emergency happens, the police can’t get to the home as quick if your numbers are obscured in any way or are too small. This is a project any homeowner can tackle.

Have lights that are motion-sensor installed. They will illuminate your property if they sense any movement near your home. You will be alerted to movement, but most importantly, it will deter burglars or at least make you aware of their presence. Replace bulbs regularly and check the sensors once a month.

Your precious pooch is one of your best home security weapons. These pets are usually territorial and want to protect their masters. The dog doesn’t have to be huge or even vicious. Even the barking of a tiny dog can repel potential burglars, who want to avoid noises as they carry out their crimes.

If your door has a numeric lock, make sure the combination isn’t your birthday. Your birthday is readily available for burglars to find. Instead, make the number something that is hard to figure out.

Keep valuables hidden within the walls. It is unnecessary cut space into your wall. You can find areas in your walls that are pre-cut and use those. If you have an electric socket you do not use, hide valuables behind their covers.

Think about a security system that is hard-wired if you really have concerns about maintenance costs. Wireless security systems are great, but need frequent battery changes. If you forget to change the batteries, your system will not work correctly. Additionally, it can be expensive to replace a lot of batteries.

You should invest in a timer to turn lights on and off at regular times. This makes it easy for you because you do not have to turn the switch. It also makes the lights go off and on even if you are not at home.

Do not hide your spare key under your doormat or in a nearby planter. While it may seem like a convenient way to give you access to your home, intruders are aware of this practice. Thieves are tricky, diabolical, and familiar with any and every hiding place. Instead, give your extra key to a neighbor whom you trust.

Given your exposure to the article above, you certainly have greater knowledge on the topic. It is not advisable to approach home security blindly. It is essential that you put the safety of your family in the highest priority. Keep the tips that have been discussed here in mind as you move forward.