The average homeowner has a lot of work to do to secure their home. But there is no need for it to be tough or costly. Read the following article to learn what steps you can take with regards to home security.

Make your house look occupied all the time. Have electronics and lights with timers and set them to go off at various times. This will give the appearance that someone is at your house at all times. This can be a terrific method of securing your home and keeping burglars at bay.

Use your dog as the protector of your spare key. This really only works if you’ve got an outdoor dog or if you’ve got a pet door. Latch the key on his collar and voila–you have a spare key available!

The best home security systems do much more than sound the alarm (literally). Many systems sound an alert whenever people enter the house. If you have little ones wandering about the house, this makes it easy for you to know if they have come in or gone out.

When planning to go away for a holiday, be sure to turn off the ringers on your home phones. Intruders might be attracted by a phone that rings constantly without anyone picking up.

If you retain a space key for when you get locked out, consider the place you hide it carefully. It is very common for homeowners to hide them under a mat or above the framing of their door, and intruders know this. A better place to keep your key is inside your outside dog’s collar.

Do not open your door for strangers. Criminals can be endlessly inventive when it comes to generating a convincing story to force their way into your home. No matter how sympathetic the story, remember that it could all be a put-on. Enforce a rule within your house that no one opens the door to unexpected people.

The materials of your home should be fire resistant. This will make your home more safe, especially if you are in a dry climate that has many power lines. It’s best to prevent a fire before it starts.

If you reside in the country, you may be less worried about break-ins than urban dwellers are. With neighbors so far away, it may seem like a tiny risk. Others feel rural residents have a lower risk of being burglarized.

Talk to people you know for referrals when choosing home security systems. This will help you to reduce the stress that you have on your search for a good one. Spending a few days asking for reviews is useful in helping you choose correctly.

A wall is a great hiding place. If you have valuables that are small in size, you may want to hide them within your walls. Target any unused phone jacks or electrical outlets for an easy hiding spot. If you haven’t got any plates that are unused, simply install a false switch plate.

Store your car in the garage if you have it. Keeping the car inside is a good way to keep criminals from stealing or harming it. Besides, intruders will have a hard time determining whether or not you are home if you keep your car inside your garage.

Use your walls as hiding spaces. It is not necessary to cut out pieces from your wall. Most homes are pre-equipped with these handy spaces. Remove the wires from an electric socket you do not use so you can hide your valuable jewelry.

You should regularly check your home security system, regardless of how reliable you believe it is. Ask someone who works at the security company to do a maintenance check. A number of things may cause your alarm system to have problems, including mother nature and wild animals. If you aren’t paying attention, you may not be aware of these problems.

Even if you’re not going to be gone long, keep your home locked. You may be surprised to know that many burglars simply turn the doorknob and walk right in. A thief can take plenty of valuables in minutes.

Alter the combination of the locks in your home. Not everyone who leaves your house will leave happy, and a fresh set of locks will protect you from both former residents and acquaintances of your own looking to cause mischief. Changing the locks can typically be done very cheaply and quickly.

Never throw out boxes for expensive items until the day your trash is picked up. Doing so is like giving a burglar an invitation to target your home; he or she will know there is something good inside.

If you’re in a rural place, you might not be as worried about break-ins as those that are in the city. People who live in the country may even be more vulnerable because they do not have nearby neighbors. Others feel rural residents have a lower risk of being burglarized.

With the above advice, you can better secure your home. Begin making changes around the home. These changes will allow you to sleep well at night. You are going to be able to relax completely soon!

Don’t put spare keys inside plant boxes or beneath the welcome mat. These seem like great places for you when you misplace your key. Burglars are well aware of these hiding places. Rather, give your spare key to a neighbor or friend that you trust.