How much do you know about security systems? Are you not sure how to begin protecting your home? Luckily there is lots of good information available on this topic. The following information will give you everything you need to know.

Be sure your home appears to always be occupied. Invest in timers to automatically turn on and off any electronics at various times. This makes it appear that someone is home. It is also another way to secure your home.

Good home security systems sound a loud alarm when breached, and that’s not all. Many systems can be used to go off whenever anyone enters your home. This is important if you have small kids.

Man’s best friend can also be trusted to secure a spare key. This really only works if you’ve got an outdoor dog or if you’ve got a pet door. Place the alternative key on your dog’s collar in case of an emergency.

If you want to have a spare key hidden outside of your home, hide it carefully. Too many people put their extra key under the mat in front of their door; burglars know to check there. Rather, think about putting a key on your outside dog’s collar.

There are more features to a home alarm system besides making sounds when people break in. Most systems could sound an alarm when someone enters the home. This is a good way to keep track of where your young children are.

Garage Doors

Solicit word of mouth recommendations from friends, colleagues and family members to find a great home security company or system. Others have likely had both good and bad experiences that they can share with you that can then save you a lot of stress and time. Ask around so that you can have the advice that you need to make a good choice.

If you have an attached garage, make sure it is secure. There is a way to stop thieves from entering your home from the garage. 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.

Make sure your attached garage is secure. Intruders can enter your home through an unlocked garage door. Use a C-clamp to secure the door if it’s off track.

If you have a garage, increase your home security by using it to house your car, rather than just for storage. You will not have to worry about thieves taking your car if it is inside your garage. Hiding your car from plain view will also keep potential intruders from tracking when you are home and when you aren’t.

You should always park your car inside your garage instead of using your garage to store some belongings. Keeping your car inside will deter thieves from stealing or vandalizing it. If you keep your car in the garage instead of in the driveway, it is harder for thieves to know whether you are at home or not.

Before doing anything else, install new locks in your home. Changing the locks will ensure that you are the only one who knows the combination. It is pretty cheap and the job won’t take more than a few hours.

Don’t be shy. Speak to your neighbors. Keep an eye on their houses and yards and request that they return the favor. It does not necessarily pay to steer clear of gossip. While this is unorthodox, it may clue you into a possible home security threat.

When securing your home, don’t forget about skylights. Although a skylight can bring light into one’s home and look good, it’s also a common entrance way for burglars. Make sure your skylights have reliable, heavy duty hardware in place.

Go with your instincts when choosing a security system company. You should be very picky when it comes to letting people inspect your home. You should not hesitate to ask if you can work with a different representative or find a different company if you are not comfortable. The purpose of using the company is to calm your uneasiness, not worsen it.

Lock your home when you leave, even if you don’t think you will be away for long. Most burglars gain entry to a home through an unlocked door. Thieves can steal a lot of valuable stuff in mere minutes.

Regardless of how long you think you’ll be gone, make sure to lock your doors. Most break-ins and burglaries occur because a door is left open and an intruder just walks in. Thieves can make off with large amounts of valuable merchandise very quickly.

Change all of the locks in your new residence. Regardless of how you feel about the sellers, you never know someone’s true intentions. Also, there have likely been other owners of the home, and you don’t know them either.

If you buy expensive electronics or appliances, throw the packages away the day that your trash pickup occurs. Having these type of boxes hanging around will give robbers a good idea of what type of merchandise you have inside of your home.

To increase your home’s security, buy some outdoor lights that are motion activated. In the evening hours, this lighting can provide extra security and an economical way to light your front entrance way when you arrive. If placed strategically around the house, motion detectors can make it very tough for criminals to get to your property.

Purchase flashlights that have good batteries, and keep them in every room in your home in case the power goes out. Flashlights are key because they allow you to move around if an emergency should arise. Make sure your whole family knows where to find them and how to operate them.

Keep safety at the forefront as you landscape. Don’t obstruct windows or doors with shrubs, plants, fences or trees. If criminals know you can see them, they are less likely to break in. This will give your home additional safety.

Ask for ID before letting anyone into your home. Posing as a security professional is an excellent way for an experienced thief to get inside your house and plan a less-friendly return visit. Intruders could disguise themselves as home security representatives to inspect your current security system. Make sure you are as cautious as you can be.

Make sure you have weighed the costs and risks when you are considering your security needs. Although automated electronic systems are powerful, they’re not necessarily the cost-effective solution for every home. In some neighborhoods, you might be better off taking a self defense class or owning a dog, while in others, the latest innovations in home security will protect you best. Comprehend the risks associated with your home security so you now can make a more well-informed buying decision.

One effective home security trick you can use is by installing outdoor motion sensor lights. Burglars prefer the cover that night provides their criminal activities. Install lights in areas that possible criminals can use to enter your home. Consider all your doors, porches, patios, decks, garages and all ground-level windows.

If you are going to be out of town for more than a day or so, have someone check your mailbox and door for mail and fliers. Canny burglars will often produce and distribute their own fliers so that they can see whether or not anyone takes them down. If the flier is not removed, they will know you are not home.

If you haven’t bought a paper shredder yet, make it a point to do so. Thieves are likely to steal documents that include your personal information if they can find them. You can also simply tear papers with personal information into small bits before you discard them.

Consider a surveillance system for your home and property. Both hidden and visible video cameras can help keep your home safe. Visible cameras deter many intruders, but if they disable the cameras that they can see, your hidden camera can record the action. As an added security bonus, most modern systems will allow you to monitor your cameras remotely (via cell phone) for round-the-clock protection.

The best method to maintain a thief from going into the garage is making sure nobody can see inside. Frosted windows will keep a burglar from being able to see inside. The material needed to do this can be found at home improvement stores. Make a habit of keep your door closed and locked.

Is your street number on your house visible from the street? Make sure they are large in case emergency personnel need to find your house. Luckily, this is an issue that can be fixed quickly.

Make sure your address numbers are clearly visible from across the street. During an emergency crisis, smaller numbers prevent emergency personnel from finding your home quickly. This is easy and inexpensive to fix if you believe there could be a problem.

Your dog is a great tool for protecting your home from intruders. Canines are notoriously protective of their family and domicile. There is no need for a guard dog. Small dogs even scare off intruders as they don’t like anything to make noise when breaking into a home.

If you have rooms that are off limits to kids and company, the following is a great solution. Get key-less locks that need a code. You can even install it yourself.

Find out if the company you choose will give you the option of buying or leasing home security systems. Buying it may cost more, but this means there are no monthly charges. Leasing is a good way to avoid the initial expense, but you will have to pay monthly fees. It is worthwhile checking out both possibilities before you decide on which is best.

Inquire as to the different lengths of contracts offered by your security company. Each will have its own pros and some cons, too. With a longer contract, your monthly payment is likely to be lower. The downside is you might be stuck for a longer period of time if you decide you don’t like the service or want to move. A shorter contract gives you more freedom, but it may cost you more per month.

Never make the password to your keypad your birthday. It is easy for anybody to learn your birthday, which makes it easy for them to access the house. Try making the number one that can be remembered by doing a match equation in order to remember that equation instead.

See if your security company only sells equipment, or if they will lease it to you instead. Purchasing equipment outright will cost more initially, but may offer savings over the long term. By leasing equipment, you can get the protection you want for less, but you may be paying for it over and over as time goes on. Compare these two options before making your decision.

You now have a better idea about home security systems. Remember this advice and tips as you begin making your home security plans. A security system will be one of the most beneficial additions to your home.

Do not keep the registration papers for your car inside the car’s glove compartment. Otherwise, anyone who can get into your glove compartment can find out where you live. Keep them on you, or another place to hide them. They should be close, though, since you’ll need them if you get pulled over.