The market for home security is huge. Burglaries happen every day, no matter where you’re living. Burglars generally target houses that appear lax in their security measures. To keep your home safe, read the tips in the following article and apply them.

If you have an extensive online presence that includes a lot of people you don’t know too well, avoid announcing upcoming vacations. There may be a thief within this list and you would have been inviting him straight through your front door!

Do you have an outside dog? She or he is actually a good place to keep the spare key. Hook your key to the dog’s collar in a place that is shielded from view. This is very effective if your pet is afraid of strangers; therefore, burglars are not very likely to notice the key.

Make sure the ringer on any phones in your home is turned off when you leave for vacation. A constantly ringing phone can signal to a burglar that the house is vacant, making it an easy target for their criminal activities.

Spare Key

Do not invite strangers into your home. This includes a salesperson or people looking for help. Some people just want to know if there is a security system so they can plan on coming back later or not.

If you keep a spare key outside to prevent yourself from being locked-out, think carefully about where you hide it. You don’t want to put them in common spots, such as above the frame of the door or under the doormat. For a better solution, try tucking your spare key into your dog’s collar, provided you have an outside dog.

It is important that you check your home security system periodically, at least once a year. Ask a qualified worker who specializes in security systems to take a look. There are many things that can be problematic with regards to home security systems, like wayward wild animals and the environment. If you don’t see the problem, you may remain unaware of it.

Never allow any strangers into your home. There are some people who are very convincing and good at getting you to let them into your house. Some people want to enter your home just to see if there is a security system in place. They may be scoping the place to come back when you’re gone.

If you reside in a small town or rural area, then you might not be as worried about someone breaking into your home as city dwellers may be. However, there is the belief that rural dwellers are more susceptible to break ins simply because there are no nearby neighbors. Others think that rural places have less of a chance of being targets for burglars.

Use your garage for your car, not just storage. A car kept locked in a garage is much less likely to be stolen or damaged. Keeping your car out of sight is also good for thwarting burglars’ attempts to determine when you are likely to be away from home.

Hide any valuables in wall spaces. This does not mean that you should make alterations to your walls. Instead, you can use the small spaces that are already there. For example, place jewelry in an unused electrical outlet.

Any program to improve the security of your home should begin with complete replacement of your door locks. This could be an ex-spouse or roommate you got into a fight with. It is not expensive and you can do it in less than a day.

When you pick an alarm system, it’s a good idea to get one that provides protection for both doors and windows. Each window represents a possible entry for your thief. Every single entry point needs to have monitoring on it. This is great for keeping the family secure.

Always go with your gut when it comes to choosing a security firm. If the men who come to your home to do the installation seem untrustworthy, you can change your mind. Ask the company to send a different installer or simply change companies. The purpose of using the company is to calm your uneasiness, not worsen it.

If you install a security system, make certain to hide the wires well. Intruders can disable a system if they see the wires. Make sure the wires are installed inside the walls of your home. This will make you much safer.

Use your wall spaces to hide your valuables. 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. What about un-wiring an electrical socket which isn’t used to utilize as a cover to hide your jewelry?

There is a lot of value in copper wiring. A lot of people don’t realize this fact until a robber steals it from their home. The copper in the wiring is valuable and can be stripped off of the outside of the home in a relevantly short period of time. This is why the wiring should be hidden or difficult to get to.

While choosing your alarm system, ask about protection for windows and motion detection as well as doors. It should protect the windows too. Get an alarm that will trigger if either the doors or windows are opened. This is a way to make sure your family will be safe.

Don’t let anyone in your house without knowing their work history and checking their references. A background check is also a good idea, so that you know what their criminal history looks like. You might not know that the maid or contractor entering your home is a crook, and this could be a very bad mistake.

Whenever you move to a new dwelling, make certain to get each lock replaced. You have no way of knowing whether the previous homeowner is trustworthy. You should also keep in mind that other people may have lived in the home before the previous homeowner.

When about to sign a contract with any home security firm, read all the small print. You need to find out about hidden costs, such as cancellation fees in case you want to cancel your contract before it expires. It’s best to know about these fees in advance so that you can avoid them when possible.

Prior to allowing access to anyone, make sure you are shown proper identification. Check if they have any history of criminal activity. You can never be too sure about anyone you hire to enter your home, and giving them access can work against you.

Whenever seeking out home-security companies, the Internet can be a valuable resource, so utilize it. You can check out their packages and rates and also read some customer reviews. After narrowing down your top five choices, you can then take the next step by contacting each one.

As you work on your home’s landscape, don’t forget about safety. All doors and windows must be unobstructed by shrubs, trees, fences, or plants. These types of places provide the perfect cover for prowlers. For a beautiful yard that’s also safe, keep the landscaping separated from the house.

Think about what you need to feel safe before considering security systems. They can really protect your family, but they’re not something that everybody needs. Some neighborhoods feel more safe than others, but a good security system definitely makes you feel more safe. Ensure that you have considered all your options before making a final decision.

Consider your security risk and safety needs before purchasing home security systems. Generic systems 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. You need to assess risks and choose a system adapted to the kind of situations you are likely to run into.

If you think something looks odd when you get back home, don’t go inside. You have no way of knowing whether the thieves are still inside. The best thing to do is call the police and wait for them to arrive before doing anything else.

If you purchase an expensive item, get rid of the box rather than allowing it to sit outside your home. A burglar sees this as an invitation to procure the item themselves. Break up the boxes into smaller pieces before you put them near the curb.

If there are parts of your home you want no one else to enter, there is no need to lock doors or have a set of keys on you at all times. Each entrance can be fitted with a keyless lock that requires a code to enter. You can install them yourself or you can hire a home security firm.

The number on your house should be easy to find. In the event of an emergency, police officers may have trouble finding your house if they cannot read your address numbers. There is a cheap and quick fix if you see an issue.

Keep curtains closed when you aren’t at home. Keeping them up can let intruders see directly inside your home. They’re going to want to get in your house if they can see items they want. You ought to turn the curtains down if you are sleeping as well.

Choose an out of the way place to hide your spare key, not the obvious ones. It’s easy to see fake rocks. Someone is going to look under your doormat. It’s better to ask a trusted friend or neighbor to hold your extra key. If that isn’t an option, be creative with a hiding spot.

You shouldn’t keep your car registration documents inside the glove box. This will prevent anyone from knowing where you reside. Keep them on you or hide them somewhere else in your vehicle. You must have this information on hand if you are stopped for a traffic violation.

Look for captive keylocks when picking out a new deadbolt. This type of deadbolt is secured with an inside latch. Even if a thief reaches in, he cannot turn the lock. When you are home, keep the key inserted inside the lock so you can leave if there is a fire.

Don’t hide keys in obvious areas. It’s easy to see fake rocks. Doormats and rocks in front of the house are too obvious. Instead, you should keep your spare keys with a trusted neighbor. If you want to keep it at your house, find a spot that’s not obvious.

If you have a large dog, it can really deter intruders. Intruders are not going to risk getting attacked after breaking into your home. Think about owning a big dog that can protect your family while serving as a playmate for the kids, a walking buddy or a friendly companion.

If you have windows into your living room that open to the street, always draw your curtains in the evening. You would not want to tempt outsiders to look through your window. When your valuables are on display, burglars will see it as a veritable buffet. Walk around your house to find out what can be seen and then block it.

Try to purchase your security system direct from the company, rather than from a re-seller. If you buy from a re-seller, you may not get the best deal. If you get your product from the company, you will avoid a ton of fees.

Become chummy with your nosey neighbor. Busybodies are most likely to notice suspicious people lurking about. As a friend, they will be sure to notify you.

Burglars and thieves may target your external wiring. Copper is quite valuable. Hide your wiring to deter burglars from stripping your wires.

Having a dog that has a scary bark is helpful. A barking dog will keep most intruders away. You should consider adopting a large dog that can be trained to protect you and your family.

Home security is essential to your family and home. Anyone can be a victim of a crime. Keep these tips in mind and feel good about the safety of your home. Don’t procrastinate. Do not wait too long to secure your home.

The wiring outside may be easily targeted by burglars and thieves. The copper and other metals found in electrical components, wires, and plumbing is valuable enough as scrap metal to make it worth stealing. Hiding your wiring will thwart robbers from removing the copper and leaving the bill with you for the extensive repair costs.