If you’ve always wondered whether or not you should invest in home security, keep reading. There is no reason to settle when it comes to such an important decision. Educating yourself will help you make the right decisions. Keep reading to find out about the choices available.

Use your dog as the protector of your spare key. Outdoor dogs or pet doors make this possible. Store a spare key within your dogs collar so you always have access to your home.

Be sure your home appears to always be occupied. There are timers you can use to make electronics turn on and off at random times. In this way, it will always seem that someone is in your home. This can be a terrific method of securing your home and keeping burglars at bay.

Buy ceiling, roofing and flooring which is resistant to fire. This helps protect your home when you dwell in a more dry climate. It’s best to prevent a fire before it starts.

Any time you buy a new home, have the locks changed. Many people may have been given keys by the former owner. Speak with a locksmith to get a unique lock for your home. Do the same thing if you misplace your keys.

If your garage is attached to your house, make it secure. Some people are concerned about burglars entering through an attached garage. If your garage lifts up on a track, try using a C-clamp. This will prevent your door from opening up if the clamp is close to its roller.

When looking to buy a security system, shop around. Different companies can provide equivalent levels of service and security, but their prices can vary wildly. Try to get two or three quotes before making a decision.

Do not be shy. Meet your neighbors. Ask them to look after your home, and in return, look out for theirs. Don’t ignore any gossip either. This might provide you with some valuable information, at times related to security, including information about potential strangers who you might not want near your home.

When placing your spare key outside for emergencies, give careful consideration to where you put it. Doormats and door frames are predictable places that burglars will always check. A better place to keep your key is inside your outside dog’s collar.

Changing the locks is a fundamental part of adding security to the home. Has a roommate or ex-lover moved out recently? If so, then you need to change out the locks in order to keep you and your home safe. It does not cost much, and can be handled very quickly.

Your flooring and roofing should be fire resistant. This give your home an extra protection layer. Stopping fire hazards is a key precaution to take since the damage it causes can be considerable.

When dealing with companies that install home security systems, it’s important to trust your gut. This is especially true if you are uneasy with those who are installing the actual system. Don’t hesitate asking for another technician or get another company. Remember that every aspect of your home security system should support you in feeling more secure.

If you’ve got lots of people you don’t know on your social networks, don’t let them know that you’re going to be on vacation. Although you may want to let others in on your excitement, it may inadvertently give burglars a heads up to target your property.

When you pick an alarm system, it’s a good idea to get one that provides protection for both doors and windows. Intruders can enter through your windows too. Make sure the alarm is attached to all of them, and that monitoring is offered for all possible entry points. This is vital to keeping your family safe.

Talk to people you know for referrals when choosing home security systems. It is probable that you will hear some great stories about some companies as well as some not so great stories about others. This can save you the hassle of having to research everything on your own. Make broad inquiries so that you are able to make a well-informed decision.

Once you’ve moved to a new house, make it a priority to replace all locks. Even if the previous owner or tenant seems trustworthy, you have no way of knowing how many copies of the key they made and distributed. Also, there have likely been other owners of the home, and you don’t know them either.

Talk to your local police department about what they offer. Many have quite a few helpful programs that you take, like on self-defense or other things related to your home. Discuss the possibility of this sort of program with your police department.

If you are entering a house that has already been occupied, you should first change your locks. The person who used to live there may still have a key. You can purchase and install locks yourself to make sure only you have the key.

Don’t forget to secure your skylights too. Though skylights bring light into your home and look nice, it is also a very common way for burglars to get into your home. You should have them equipped with strong, sturdy hardware.

Keeping your home very bright during the night hours is an excellent way to prevent thieves. They do not want to be seen. Good lighting in your home means that crooks have no hiding places. Keep your lights turned on during the night.

Do not hide your spare key under your doormat or in a nearby planter. While you may feel that you are keeping yourself safe by allowing a way in for yourself, you are also allowing everyone else to visit whenever they want. Rest assured, thieves have a good idea about these hiding places. Instead, trust a neighbor to hold your spare key.

Never enter your house if the door is open or something doesn’t feel right. The burglar may be on the premises. Call the authorities and let them take care of the situation.

Hide the wires of your home security system. A burglar will simply cut the wires if he can see them. Never make things easy for them. Ask the person installing it to bury the wires or hide them inside the walls. This will make you much safer.

If you plan to be away and you have another person collecting your mail, have them double check your front door for fliers. Thieves have put them up in order to see if people are home to take them down. The more flyers pile up or the longer they are there, the more likely it is that the house is empty.

A simple way to increase your home security is to add motion lights around the house. Nighttime security lights are affordable and effective in terms of security and handy in terms of visibility and safety. If placed strategically around the house, motion detectors can make it very tough for criminals to get to your property.

It’s a good idea to install a surveillance system in your home. Installing hidden and visible video cameras is great for securing a home. Cameras that can be seen are an excellent tool for preventing most burglars from breaking into your home. However, if they are brave enough to try to disable your cameras, hidden cameras will capture them. Many surveillance systems may be easily accessed through a cell phone so that you can check on your house while you’re away.

Take the information you have here so that you can go forward with home security. The right security system and the right information is crucial. Use this advice to ensure a safe future for your family.

Avoid spring latch locks. These locks are the simplest ones to breach, since they are able to be opened by using just a credit card. Intruders simply wedge a credit card between the door and latch, triggering the lock to open. If your doors sport spring latch locks, add deadbolts to beef up security.