Learning the basics of home security is something that all homeowners need to do. But, it is important to learn all about the home security information out there. This article will help you assess your home’s security needs and decide on effective actions to take.

Use your dog as the protector of your spare key. Really this works only if you have a pet door or if your dog is an outdoor dog. You can purchase a special collar that will hold your spare key, so when you forget your keys your dog can let you in.

After you purchase a new home, change the locks. You don’t know who might have a key. Contact a locksmith to make sure that only you have access to your home. This is also the thing to do if you lose the keys.

Does your canine stay in the yard while you go out? He or she is actually a great place to store your spare key. Attach the key inside their collar and make sure it can’t be seen. This is a good way to ensure easy home access, especially if your pet does not associate well with strangers.

Do you keep your dog outside if you leave the home? Your furry friend is also a great storage place for your extra key. Stash the key on the pup’s collar to keep it out of sight. This works especially well as storage if your pet isn’t too fond of strangers.

Security systems are more than just an alarm. The majority of systems will give an audible alert when someone enters the house. This could be valuable for parents who have small children, making them aware when their kid has closed or opened a door.

A spare key must be carefully hidden and not in the obvious spots that a person might think. Intruders will think to look on the top if a door frame and under a doormat. Try hiding your key somewhere more unique, like your outside dog’s collar.

Get roofing, flooring and ceilings that are fire resistant. This is a good way to protect your home against fires, for instance if you live near power lines or in a dry area. Keeping fire hazards away is a great safety precaution since fire can cause lots of destruction.

If there are people you don’t know that have access to your social media sites, then you don’t want to let all of them know you’re on vacation. This can indicate that your home will be free and vulnerable during the time.

Talk to people you know for referrals when choosing home security systems. Other people will probably have personal experience with these companies that are either good or bad. They can share their experiences with you, which will greatly assist you in making the best decision. Ask around to get lots of advice for making a better choice.

When summer comes around, eliminate all vegetation and dead wood from your yard. They are a potential fire hazard during warmer months. Regularly clear away your yard to keep your home in good standing and safe for your family.

Never allow str4angers to enter your house. There are some people who are very convincing and good at getting you to let them into your house. Some people may simply be trying to determine whether or not you have a home security installed; if you don’t, they may plan to return later if you are away from your home.

You can hide certain valuables within your walls. This doesn’t require tearing into your walls, of course. Many places around your house have areas that are already pre-cut. For instance, consider using an electricity socket that is unused, and stash your precious jewelry in there.

You should always park your car inside your garage instead of using your garage to store some belongings. Having the car in the garage will prevent it from getting broken into or stolen. This will also make it more difficult for burglars to track when you away from home.

If you have just bought any pricey new goods, never toss the boxes onto the curb prior to the garbage man’s arrival. If you leave the boxes out all week, it lets people know what type of items you have in your home.

Before doing anything else, install new locks in your home. This could be an ex-spouse or roommate you got into a fight with. It is generally cheap and may be done in a little under a day.

Keeping your home well lit at night can help keep the burglars away. They don’t want visibility. When your house is well lit, intruders have no place to hide. This makes it hard for them to get things from you. At night, keep your lights turned on to boost security.

You have a choice on who installs your security system, don’t be afraid to say no if something doesn’t feel right. If the installers give you the heebie-jeebies, it’s not a good sign. There is nothing wrong with asking for a different technician if you’re uneasy. The point of that system is to feel safer after all.

Ask about the history of any home security company you are considering. It doesn’t take long for a quality company to prove itself in the security business, and you should look for a track record of satisfied customers and successful work. Knowing that you are dealing with a shady company can keep you calm when making this crucial decision.

The walls are a perfect hiding place. Jewelry and other small items can be protected very well when placed in hiding places in your walls. All you need is a wall opening you’re not using (something like a phone jack, electrical box, or switch plate). If you do not have any unused plates, it is easy to install a false one.

Before you go shopping for a home security system, take a moment to think about your specific situation and unique requirements. You might find that an alarm isn’t necessary at all. In some particular neighborhoods, classes for self defense or acquiring a dog may be the best option. However, the newest home security technology may be the best protection in other regions. Know what you want and make your decisions based on that.

Purchase flashlights that have good batteries, and keep them in every room in your home in case the power goes out. Power outages are common to all sorts of emergency situations, so having flashlights handy will enable you to maneuver in the dark. Teach everyone in your home to use the flashlights so all family members can see and help each other.

Purchase a paper shredder to prevent your discarded papers from providing burglars with valuable information. Thieves are likely to steal documents that include your personal information if they can find them. If you can’t get a paper shredder, try ripping papers into smaller pieces.

Have your home security company inspect your home and suggest safety improvements. Every family is different, and so your security needs will be unique. When you choose a company that pays close attention to detail in creating your home security plan, you will feel very secure.

Could burglars see inside your garage? Make sure that they can’t! Use a frosted film to cover the windows. This can be purchased at many hardware stores. Never leave the front door open for very long.

One of the best home burglary systems is man’s best friend. Dogs become extremely protective of their families and bark when uneasy. It is not necessary to have an aggressive dog. Even tiny dogs that make a ton of noise will deter a potential crime.

If you want to keep certain rooms in your home private, you don’t need to lock every door with a key. It is possible to have locks that require just codes, not keys. You can even install it yourself.

Does your security company offer leasing and buying? Although purchasing the equipment will likely cost you more money initially, this cost will only occur one time. It won’t be a cost you have to pay for every month. The initial cost of leasing may seem low, but you may be required to sign a long term contract and it may carry a higher monthly fee. Pick the option that suits your particular situation best.

Spring Latch

Hard-wired security systems can be a sound choice. While there is a greater level of convenience if you go wireless, there is also a requirement that several batteries be changed, sometimes multiple times a year. If you neglect to change your batteries, the system can fail. Additionally, it can be expensive to replace a lot of batteries.

Don’t fit your exterior doors with locks of the spring latch variety. These locks are easy to pick, and it can be done with an ordinary credit card. Wedging the card into the door crack can cause the lock to release. A deadbolt can be retrofitted to a door with a spring latch lock if you want to make it more secure.

It is always best to go with a solid heavy wooden door, or a metal door for extra security. These types of doors are much stronger and harder for someone to break into. A burglar could not kick a solid wood or a metal door. It’s relatively inexpensive to get new exterior doors for your home.

Do not hide your key in obvious places. Fake rocks are particularly simple to spot. Under your doormat is also a common place burglars will look. Instead, you should keep your spare keys with a trusted neighbor. If you must keep it elsewhere, be creative with your hiding spot.

Make sure you lock your second floor’s windows. These are easy to overlook because no one expects a criminal to make the effort to break in through an upstairs window. Do not underestimate intruders. This is something that is a weak area, and criminals will go right to them.

A home alarm system is a great investment, but it only works if someone notifies the authorities when it sounds. Some security systems have constant monitoring, so that when the alarm goes off, a call is made to the police for you. You can’t rely on your neighbors to call.

Deadbolts are the best locks you can install, as they have captive keylocks. Deadbolts have a thumb latch for an extra layer of protection. If you are home, have a key inside the lock so you can easily exit if a fire breaks out.

Sliding glass doors can be a huge security problem in lots of homes. Intruders can easily unlock these doors by simply lifting and shaking. You have to secure them, so use a piece of pipe in the track. This keeps the door shut tightly and makes it difficult to force it open.

Locks that can’t be locked from the outside are not adequate. The best lock is a deadbolt and those that have keys for the inside and outside can prevent burglars from opening them.

Everyone needs to learn how to keep their home secure. You need to sift through the mounds of information available to find the reliable tips you can use. For this reason, you should remember the information in this article when you consider keeping your home secure.

If you have kids, bring their toys in when they are not using them. This shows thieves that females may be on the property. Women tend to have more valuable jewelry than their male counterparts, and thieves know this.