How valuable is home security in your book? Do you find the offerings of major home security companies out of your price range? Would you like to find a more affordable way to live a secure life? There are many different solutions you need to learn more about. Read on to uncover some great home security ideas to suit virtually any budget.

Your home should always look like it is occupied. You can purchase inexpensive timers that will control different electronics and lights in your home. This makes it look as though people are home no matter what. This is a simple way to improve your home’s safety and make it less attractive to criminals.

When planning to go away for a holiday, be sure to turn off the ringers on your home phones. A constantly ringing phone can signal to a burglar that the house is vacant, making it an easy target for their criminal activities.

Always have the locks changed when you buy a new home. You never know how many copies of the keys the previous owners made and handed out. Having a locksmith replace the locks will ensure that no strangers have a key. This is also a good idea in the event that you misplace your keys.

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. Think outside the box and put the key someplace unusual, like hidden in your dog’s collar.

In summer, take care to trim back branches and plants near the house. These can pose a fire hazard due to heat and storms with lightning. Keep your yard clear so it is a safe area.

Don’t post online when you’ll be away from your home. It’s great to see new places and take a lot of photos, but posting them while still overseas lets thieves know your home is empty.

When you’re picking out home security equipment and services, don’t forget to ask your friends and family for help. They may have had experiences with certain companies and can lead you in the right direction. Keep asking to get the advice that will help you make the right choice.

Be bold. Meet your neighbors. You’ll find that friendly neighbors make for a powerful support network. Keep an eye on their properties and they’ll respond in kind. Listen to gossip also. You may learn some great information about security, such as if any strangers have been hanging around.

Do not open your door for anyone you don’t know. You have no way of knowing if the stranger on the other side of the door wishes to do you harm. Establish a rule where you and your family only open the door for expected visitors.

Home protection program details may be available at your police station. There are plenty of things that can be done, from a safety walk to cataloging expensive items to help protect your investment and your family. Ask your police department to see if these types of programs are available.

You need to change our locks as your first step to ensuring your safety. Whether an old roommate left or a relationship ended, changing your locks is a good idea. It is usually inexpensive and can be done in less than 24 hours.

Entry Points

Purchase an alarm system that has a few “bells and whistles;” you don’t just need protection for your doors. Windows are all potential entry points for burglars. Be sure your home alarm covers all entry points into your home. This is just one more thing you can do to protect your home.

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.

Any time you let a stranger into your home that is doing some kind of work, it is best to ask for references. Run a criminal background check on them, as well. Someone can seem nice and professional on the outside, but they may not be so nice on the inside.

Have a home security company come to your house and come up with a system that best suits your needs. The needs and wants of each family and the configuration of each home are quite individual. Most companies will create an individual plan to meet your needs so you can have a high level of security to assure your peace of mind.

The walls of your home make for great hiding spots. Jewelry and other small items can be protected very well when placed in hiding places in your walls. Repurpose phone jacks and electrical outlets as tiny wall safes. You can easily install fake unused plates.

If you think something looks odd when you get back home, don’t go inside. The burglar may be on the premises. The best thing to do is call the police and wait for them to arrive before doing anything else.

If you will be away from your home, arrange to have whoever is collecting your mail to also pick up fliers placed inside your door. Burglars sometimes place fliers as a means to see if anyone is home to remove them. If the flier is not removed, it’s easy for a burglar to suspect that the owner is away.

Use the spaces in your home’s walls to store valuables. You don’t have to cut pieces out of the walls. There’s plenty of places in a house with pre-cut areas that can be used. Perhaps you can use an old electricity socket as a place to hide your valuables.

Keep your garage shut and locked so burglars can’t peek inside. Frosted windows prevent thieves from looking into your home and are inexpensive. If you use your garage for working on projects, don’t forget to lock it when you’re through working for the day.

Keep blinds, shades, and curtains closed when you’re not home. Potential intruders will see what you are doing and get an idea of how many valuables you own if you keep your blinds open. You may have things inside that will tempt them to break into your house. Also lower them while you are sleeping.

You want all wires of an installed security system to be hidden. An intruder can cut the wires if he can find them. Don’t make it easy for an intruder, have the wires buried or hidden within the home’s walls. That will make you safer.

Ask whether or not your home security company gives you the option to lease and/or buy your equipment. 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. Leasing is usually cheaper, but monthly fees can be high and you will need a contract. 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.

If your door has a numeric keypad lock, never make its password your birth date. Your birthday is easy to obtain, and you don’t want your house to be easily accessible. Make it something that is unique and that you can remember.

If you are throwing away the box an expensive item came in, wait until trash day to put the box out. You are alerting thieves that there is something worth stealing inside your home.

Secure valuables that are truly irreplaceable. This can include items like important photos, passports, pricey jewelry, and legal documents. You can keep these things in a floor safe placed in a secure area of your home. Or, a better idea, is to place them in a deposit box outside of your home.

Get a home alarm, but only if the police are called when it’s gone off. Even better is to purchase alarms that are monitored centrally, so that the police are automatically contacted. An isolated alarm that just wakes up your neighbors is far less reliable, especially after a few false alarms.

If you allow a security company to come to your house, make sure they appear professional and can present identification. You would be surprised how many thieves will impersonate security representatives to get into your house. This leads to danger. Take care to steer clear of danger.

Home security is largely based on what you are able to afford. If the pricy choices are not an option for you, there are more affordable choices. The article you just read gave you some great ideas. This could be your best bet and the most affordable solution.