Continue reading if you need advice about home security. It can hard to make a big, expensive choice like this one. In order to make the best decision, you must have the right knowledge about the subject.

You should always make sure your home looks like its 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 should help you make your home safer and not attract the attention of potential intruders.

Always change the locks after moving into a new home. You cannot be sure of the number of key copies that the former owner gave out. Contact a locksmith to make sure that only you have access to your home. Also, if you ever lose your keys, do the same.

Why not give your trusted dog the job of holding onto your spare key? Really this works only if you have a pet door or if your dog is an outdoor dog. Place the alternative key on your dog’s collar in case of an emergency.

Solicit word of mouth recommendations from friends, colleagues and family members to find a great home security company or system. You can benefit from the experience of others that have gone before you by paying attention to their recommendations and warnings. Spending a few days asking for reviews is useful in helping you choose correctly.

Let a house cleaner have your keys only if they can provide you with references so you can verify their trustworthiness. You should not let cleaners have your keys if you feel like you cannot trust them, or if they will be working in your home while you are away. Be sure to make sure their references check out. If the house cleaner is employed by a company, check with the BBB of your area to determine their reputation.

Turn off your phone’s ringer when you go on vacation. A home phone that rings and rings is a good way for a potential thief to know if anyone is home.

The best home security systems do much more than sound the alarm (literally). They can be programmed to alert the homeowner if a person enters the home. Parents of children can track their kids this way.

Put motion-sensor lights into your home. The lights will be triggered when someone gets too close to the house. This will discourage would be thieves and alert you to any movement on your property. Remember to keep working bulbs in them at all times.

A spare key must be carefully hidden and not in the obvious spots that a person might think. It is very common for homeowners to hide them under a mat or above the framing of their door, and intruders know this. Instead, try hiding a key on the collar of an outside dog.

Hide your security system’s wiring. Burglars can easily cut the wires if they are visible. This is why it is so important to make sure all your wires are well hidden. This can make you safer.

Rid the outside of your home from dead wood, vegetation and overgrowth during the summertime. As things heat up in the summer, items may catch on fire and threaten your home. Clear up your yard so it looks good and is safe.

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 will let thieves know the type of items that are inside your home.

Those that live in rural area are not as concerned about having their home invaded as those who are located in the city. Some people think that the people out in the country without neighbors are actually at a much greater risk. Still, many believe that rural environments are less frequently targeted by burglars.

Are you aware of the value contained in your home’s wiring? Most people are unaware of this fact until a burglar takes it from their house. Copper wiring is very valuable and susceptible to being stripped from the outside of your home. Hide your wiring to secure it.

A skylight is another area that needs to be protected for home security. While they are there to let light in, if you do not care for it properly it could also let in a thief. Use heavy-duty hardware to secure your skylights to the roof.

If you are entering a house that has already been occupied, you should first change your locks. Even though the previous tenant may have turned in their key, you never know if they have a copy. This will help safeguard that there is no one else with your key.

Are you aware of the value present in the wiring in your home? The majority of people aren’t aware of this fact until a burglar steals these wires. Copper wiring is quite valuable, and it’s quick and easy for criminals to strip it right off the outside of your house! Therefore, ensure you hide your wires so that burglars cannot see them, or make the wires extremely hard for the burglars to get to.

Keep safety at the forefront as you landscape. Don’t obstruct windows or doors with shrubs, plants, fences or trees. If they are visible, people won’t be able to hide there while trying to break in. Keep this in mind as you design.

If your door is set in a rotted frame, you must replace the frame. Anyone who wants to get into your home can easily pry away rotted wood and slip right into your home. Wood that is beginning to rot should always be replaced to make sure your home stays safe.

Hopefully, you’ll remember what you have just read as you continue your home security plan. You need to understand how important this is, because it will keep your family safe. Use the information you’ve learned to make this a part of your daily life.

Plug a rechargeable flashlight into an outlet in each room of your house in the event of power outage. Having a well-charged flashlight on hand is very beneficial in case of emergency. Your kids should know how to work the flashlights so that everyone can help.