When a person thinks of making their home safe, they think of spending a fortune on someone to come to their home and install a system. But, things can actually be easier than all of that. Review the ideas in this piece to understand how best to ensure your home’s safety.

Make your house look like it’s always occupied. Timers can be used to turn lights and televisions on and off when required. This way it will always look as if someone is home, even when you are away. This is an excellent method for avoiding burglary and keeping your home secure.

Some home security systems have additional security features besides sounding an alarm to deter a burglar. Most of them can be programmed to alert you to anyone entering your home. It’s a great feature for parents as they can tell if a child is potentially leaving the house.

Change the locks after buying a new house. The person who previously owned the home may have made copies of keys. Call a locksmith to make sure you’re the only one with access to your home. Be sure to cal a locksmith if you were to lose your keys as well.

Always take time to compare and research before investing in an expensive security system for your home. Every company offers different pricing. Be sure and get a minimum of three quotes from different companies prior to choosing one.

Home security systems are able to do more than just sounding the alarm whenever you have an intruder. The majority of systems are able to be set to put out an alert when any individual enters the home. This could be valuable for parents who have small children, making them aware when their kid has closed or opened a door.

Spare Key

Carefully consider where you hide your outside spare key. Above doors or under doormats are much too common to hide them and potential criminals will check them first. Try to find somewhere less obvious.

Think very carefully about where to hide your spare key. Intruders will think to look on the top if a door frame and under a doormat. For a better solution, try tucking your spare key into your dog’s collar, provided you have an outside dog.

Shut off phone ringers inside the home if you’re going to be gone for quite a while. If the phone rings when you are away, burglars will know there’s nobody home, making the house vulnerable to a break-in when you are out.

Don’t be shy. Speak with your neighbors. Keep watch of their homes when they are away, and ask if they will return the favor. Don’t disregard gossip either. While this is unorthodox, it may clue you into a possible home security threat.

You need to change our locks as your first step to ensuring your safety. There are many different people who might have keys from your past, and removing the potential of them accessing your home can be a very good idea. It is generally cheap and may be done in a little under a day.

Walls are a good place to hide things. If you have valuables that are small in size, you may want to hide them within your walls. You could utilize an electrical outlet, phone jack, or unused switch plate. If you’re using all your outlets, you can install phony ones.

Follow your instincts when choosing a home security company. This is definitely the case if you’re not quite sure about the actual installation people. If you simply are not comfortable with a company’s technician, request for another technician or simply hire another company. At the end of the day, your efforts are so that you feel more comfortable.

Always lock your home when you leave it, no matter how soon you plan to return. Surprisingly, lots of burglaries occur because the burglar was able to simply walk in without having to actually break in. Thieves can make off with large amounts of valuable merchandise very quickly.

Make sure that none of your valuables can be seen from the outside. Large windows let in a lot of light, but they also allow outsiders to see inside your living space. Windows facing the street need to be covered to keep inside possessions safe.

Replace all locks in a new house. While the person you bought the home from may seem on the up and up, you have no idea who they really are. Bear in mind that other people may have lived in the home before the previous owner.

Make sure the wires of your home security system are completely hidden. You don’t want a burglar to get access to them and disable your system. Don’t make it easy for an intruder, have the wires buried or hidden within the home’s walls. This can make you safer.

Add motion detector lighting to the exterior of your home for increased security. In the evening, lights will help keep your home safe, and will add little in the way of extra expense. When they are positioned correctly, they make it pretty much impossible for intruders to get to your house unnoticed.

Purchase flashlights that have good batteries, and keep them in every room in your home in case the power goes out. If the lights go out, they will ensure everyone stays safe. Your kids should know how to work the flashlights so that everyone can help.

If you hire a security company, read any fine print. There may be hidden costs in the event you wish to cancel before the end of the contract. This may also be true if you need more or different equipment in the future. Be aware of these particular fees so you can steer clear of them.

Always go over the small print on contracts offered by your home security company. You may find fees appear unexpectedly, including excessive costs for ending your contract early. You’ll definitely want to avoid these types of fees if you can, so read carefully.

Research how long a security company has been in the business before contracting with them. You can be sure that an established company has a good track record of providing solid and reliable 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.

Don’t allow your landscaping make it easier for burglars to break into your home. You should have a clear view out of all your windows and an unobstructed path to any doors. This way, no one can hide there if they are attempting to break into your house. Plan your home with safety in mind.

Make an appointment with a home security company to evaluate the security needs of your home specifically. Every homeowner has specific needs for their home and their family. You will get the best home security system possible if you use a service willing to work with you to create a tailored system.

Ask your security provider about their history in the business. A reliable home security company is one that has a long history in the community and can offer references from satisfied customers. Being in the hands of a good company helps you have peace about your decision.

The areas outside your home should be kept well lit. It will be easier for intruders to keep an eye on you and approach your home if they can hide in the dark. Install some outside lights so you can see everything outside. Be sure to consider your front and back porch, garage, ground floor windows and any basement entryway.

Make sure no one can look inside your garage. Frosted windows prevent thieves from looking into your home and are inexpensive. Keep your garage door closed as often as possible, too.

Think about what you need to feel safe before considering security systems. Some systems might not be adaptable to your situation. Sometimes you may just want to invest in a dog or self-defense classes. Be aware of your risks to make an intelligent purchasing decisions.

Anytime you make a new electronics purchase, keep the boxes off the curb until the very last minute. This will show that you have expensive equipment in your home. Break the boxes down, or take a scissors to them to help them fit in your trash can.

Never enter your home if you arrive and find the door open. The thief may remain inside. Just contact the police and sit tight until they arrive.

Stand out in your street, and look toward your home. Are you able to see the numbers of your home? In an emergency situation, first responders won’t be able to locate your house quickly if the numbers are hidden or are too small to see clearly. If you notice a problem, you should be able to fix it fairly cheaply, though.

If you will be going out of time, have someone you trust get your mail. Also, have them look for fliers stuck in your door. Canny burglars will often produce and distribute their own fliers so that they can see whether or not anyone takes them down. The more flyers pile up or the longer they are there, the more likely it is that the house is empty.

Don’t utilize spring latch locks. This type of lock is extremely easy to break. Anyone with a credit card can do it. Burglars just slip a card between the latch and the door, causing the lock mechanism to open. Add a deadbolt to existing spring latch locks for maximum security.

Rather than installing a professional security system in your home, you can look into other ways to keep your home safe. Hopefully now you have a better sense of what some of your different options are. Keep these tips in mind and improve your home’s security.

If you often turn your lights off/on around the same time, consider using a timer. Not only does this save you a step, you can continue the routine even when you are not home.