Having someone come to your home to install a security system may seem like the most annoying project you have ever started. But, there is no need for this process to be an annoyance. Read this tips in this article for fast, easy ways to make your home more secure today.

Use a safe to protect your valuables. This will help to keep your jewelry and other valuables secured in the event of a break in. The safe should be situated in an inconspicuous area of your home.

Protect your spare key by using your dog. But, this is only effective if your home has a pet door or your dog stays outdoors when you are not home. Simply attach a spare key to your dog’s collar (in a secure and non-visible place, of course) so that you’ll be able to retrieve it if you need it.

Hide your spare key in a place where no one would think to look for it. Above doors or under doormats are much too common to hide them and potential criminals will check them first. Hide your alternative key on your dog’s collar.

When planning to go away for a holiday, be sure to turn off the ringers on your home phones. A ringing phone that goes unanswered may signal to a burglar that nobody is home.

Compare various home security systems when shopping. Prices vary greatly in regards to the same protection for each company. Get quotes from several companies before making a decision.

People in rural areas are not usually as worried about burglaries as people in cities. Some people think that the people out in the country without neighbors are actually at a much greater risk. Some people, though, believe that you will not be at risk for a burglary.

Skylights need to be secure, too. Skylights have a good function, but unfortunately they also often provide a way for a burglar to enter. Be certain to have skylights that incorporate strong, durable hardware.

If your house has a garage, keep the car there, not just your junk. A car kept locked in a garage is much less likely to be stolen or damaged. Hiding your car away from plain view is a good way to keep intruders from knowing when you are at home or not.

One of the best things you can do to protect your home at night is to deter intruders with plenty of exterior lighting. They wish to avoid detection. A well-lit home will make it hard for intruders to hide and take your valuables without being detected. Keep lights on during the night.

Get your home security system custom built for your needs. You need some features which other families may wish to do without. Doing this helps you get the best security you can get from the company, helping you to relax.

If you live more out in the country, you may think that you’re not at risk. Others think that living in the country is more risky than other areas because houses are so far apart. Some think rural areas see less burglary.

Keep your home’s exterior well lit. Dark houses invite burglars who prefer to operate under cover of darkness. Light up the dark spots around your home. This can include the garage, doorways, porches and other areas which invite an intruder in.

If you get home and notice an open door, do not go in to see what has happened. This is very dangerous due to the fact that the thief can still be inside your property. Get on the phone to the authorities immediately.

If your home has skylights, don’t neglect to secure them. Although a skylight can bring light into one’s home and look good, it’s also a common entrance way for burglars. Skylights need to be installed correctly and safely, with hardware that will keep intruders out.

Whenever you purchase some expensive item, don’t place the empty boxes right outside your home. Burglars will instantly take notices of these boxes and what used to be in them, making you an easy burglary target. Break up the boxes into smaller pieces before you put them near the curb.

Steer clear of locks with spring latches. These are very easy to pick by simply using a credit card. This isn’t a difficult maneuver either. Put in a deadbolt for more security if your doors already contain spring latch locks.

Walls can be a great hiding spot. Concealing small valuables in your walls is an easy and highly effective way to protect them. You could utilize an electrical outlet, phone jack, or unused switch plate. You put in a fake plate if there aren’t any unused in your home.

Your security company might give you the option to lease and eventually buy your security equipment. It may be more expensive to buy equipment at the outset; however, you may save money in the long run if you are free from monthly payments. Although leasing is usually cheaper, you may have to fill out contracts and you will have higher monthly costs. Check out both options to discover the best one for you. The option that’s best for one person may not be best for another.

Choose an out of the way place to hide your spare key, not the obvious ones. Fake rocks are easy to spot. The first place a person will look is a doormat. It’s best to ask a trusted friend or even a neighbor to hold the extra key. If none of these options are possible, try to think of an unusual hiding place.

Use the space in walls to store your prized possessions. This does not mean that you should make alterations to your walls. Take a closer look at your walls and note just how many access points there are already. If you have an electric socket you do not use, hide valuables behind their covers.

Rather than installing a professional security system in your home, you can look into other ways to keep your home safe. You have many alternative, from purchasing a firearm, installing extra locks or putting up additional fencing. Do not forget this advice in order to increase security in your home.