Lots of people realize the importance of home security, but not everyone possesses lots of knowledge of it. The best way to know how to truly protect your home and its contents is to study the subject as comprehensively as you can. Keep reading for some invaluable home security tips.

Put your spare key on your dog. This is only true if yours in an outdoor dog, or your house is equipped with a doggie door. Attach the key to your dog’s collar, and it will be handy if you ever need a spare.

It is important for your home to always look lived in. Purchase timers for electronics, lights, radios and TVs so that they will turn on and off at varied intervals. This makes people think you’re home. This is a great way to keep your home safe and avoid burglaries.

It will not benefit you to be shy. Speak with your neighbors and friends in the area. Keep your eye on their houses, and ask for help to keep yours safe too. Don’t disregard gossip either. While this is unorthodox, it may clue you into a possible home security threat.

Buy roofing, flooring and interior paneling that is flame resistant. This will make your home more safe, especially if you are in a dry climate that has many power lines. Avoiding fire hazards is a great way to keep things safe.

You need to change our locks as your first step to ensuring your safety. There are many different people who might have keys from your past, and removing the potential of them accessing your home can be a very good idea. It’s generally cheap can can take less than a day to do.

Don’t let people into your home unless you know them. No matter what the excuse the person presents, keep them from entering your home. Some will come to your door just to determine how secure it is, and they may return later if they think they can easily enter your home.

Don’t put your extra key under you doormat, in a planter, or in a cleverly disguised false rock. While you may need to prepare if you have a spare key, it is wise to choose ways that do not increase the risk of a criminal gaining entrance to your home. Potential burglars know the usual hiding places. Instead, trust a neighbor to hold your spare key.

When dealing with companies that install home security systems, it’s important to trust your gut. This is doubly true when you feel unease about the installers. 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.

Always lock your home, regardless of how short your trip out is. It may shock you to know this, but a lot of intruders get inside homes through open doors. Thieves can steal thousands worth of your belongings very quickly.

Rotten Wood

When choosing an alarm system, consider one that offers protection for more than just your doors. Your windows are also points of entry for burglars. The alarm and monitoring system should be set for all windows and doors. This is just one more thing you can do to protect your home.

Rotten wood on door and window frames needs to be repaired. Rotten wood is easily removed and can give an intruder a way into your home. Replace any wood that has begun to rot with new wood so that your house stays safe.

After installing a security system in your home, make sure any wires are hidden. An intruder can cut the wires if he can find them. To provide maximum security, wiring should be laid underground or installed safely within the walls of your house. This will make you much safer.

Home security installation technicians should always be in uniform and wearing identification. Many thieves use this tactic to enter a house. This means peril for what you own as well as your loved ones. Act cautiously in order to stay away from potential dangers.

If you bought any expensive or large items, don’t throw the boxes out until the day trash is scheduled to be removed. Having these boxes around for a while will give people an idea of what is inside your house.

When about to sign a contract with any home security firm, read all the small print. There may be hidden costs to doing business with them, including early termination fees and surprising equipment costs. You want to avoid as many of these fees as you can, so read everything.

Are you aware of the fact that your home wiring is worth money? Many people never realize this value until wires are stolen right out of their home. The reason they are valuable is because of their copper. A burglar can easily strip off your wires from the outside of your home very quickly. Hide your wiring for optimum security.

Think about safety when designing your home. There should be no plants or greenery in front of doors or windows. If criminals know you can see them, they are less likely to break in. Plan these features for further away from your home.

Remove and replace any wood that is not up to par. It is simple for a robber to pry away rotting wood and enter your home. Replace rotting wood with fresh wood to improve your home’s security.

Use a wireless security system. Wired systems might be a bit less expensive, but they often involve intrusive rewiring of your home, and can become faulty during a power outage. Wireless options are easy to install, need less maintenance and are not dependent on the home’s power source.

If you are seeking home safety ideas that are simple and inexpensive, you should buy outdoor lights with motion sensors. Nighttime security lights are affordable and effective in terms of security and handy in terms of visibility and safety. If positioned correctly on the exterior of your home, the motion detectors make it virtually impossible for an intruder to sneak onto your property.

If you haven’t bought a paper shredder yet, make it a point to do so. Thieves can use this information to figure out your schedule and determine the best time to break in. You can tear your documents up by hand before disposing of them if a shredder is out of your price range.

Having your home lit up and bright at night is a great deterrent to crooks. They do not desire to be seen. It makes it look like you are home and makes it difficult for thieves to hide. Keep lights on during the night.

Keeping people out of various areas of your home does not have to involve using multiple locks and keys. Get key-less locks that need a code. These can be installed either by you, or a home security company.

Determine how much experience a home security company has before you decide to do business with them. It doesn’t take long for a quality company to prove itself in the security business, and you should look for a track record of satisfied customers and successful work. You’ll find it a lot easier to put your faith in the professionals if you take the time to verify their trustworthiness.

When you aren’t home, make sure your windows are covered. Leaving your windows unguarded exposes the interior of your home to everyone, including criminals looking for tempting targets. They may break in if they see things they like. These should also be kept down while you’re sleeping.

Make sure your address numbers are clearly visible from across the street. If there’s an emergency, it will take longer for the police to locate your home if the numbers are concealed in any way or too small. There is a cheap and quick fix if you see an issue.

Never hide keys in obvious locations. It is easy to spot a rock that is fake. Many people will look under your doormat. Talk to a neighbor or someone that you know to hold your key. When this isn’t an option, you should at least use your imagination when choosing a hiding place.

Keeping people out of various areas of your home does not have to involve using multiple locks and keys. You can instead get key-less locks that work using a code. You can have your home security company install it for you, or you can do it yourself.

If you often turn your lights off/on around the same time, consider using a timer. This is simpler for you to avoid flipping the switch and can make the lights turn off and on even if you’re gone a long time.

Do not use locks with spring latches. They give intruders and easy time breaking in, since they can be unlocked with a credit card. Burglars just slip a card between the latch and the door, causing the lock mechanism to open. If you have already installed spring latch locks, consider adding a deadbolt for even more security.

Make sure that your valuables are kept in a secure location. It is best to keep items such as passports, legal documents, photos and financial records in a spot that is secure. Floor safes may come in handy for this purpose. If you can, a safety deposit box that is outside your home is even better.

Look for captive keylocks when picking out a new deadbolt. They include thumb latches that prevent anyone from breaking a window and reaching around to unlock the door. When at home you should keep the key securely in the lock. In this way you will be able to exit quickly in case of emergency.

Motion Sensitive Lighting

Owning a big, scary dog has many benefits. Burglars don’t want to put themselves in the position of being attacked. Consider getting a large dog that will protect your whole family while being a playmate for your children, walking pal or friendly companion.

Find out if you can get motion sensitive lighting from your security company. This is often an option from a good company. Motion sensitive lighting turns on when a person approaches your home in the dark. You will find your entrances are well-lit and safe, as will intruders.

The wiring on your home’s outside can make it a target for burglars or thieves. Electrical wiring and wiring components contain valuable copper which can be sold by enterprising criminals. Keeping your wires hidden prevents the thieves from seeing them and wanting to take them.

Many people know how vital home security is in our lives. However, not everyone knows how to achieve real protection for their own residence and belongings. Armed with the information presented here, you have the resources you need to secure your home 24/7.

Avoid leaving toys outside when they are not in use. This makes the burglars realize that women are on the premises. Homes that have women living there are targeted more since they are more likely to have valuable jewelry than men are.