Don’t be one of those homeowners who neglect the security of their home. To fully grasp the key elements of home security planning, some time spent researching can be quite helpful. Keep reading this article to learn what you need for winning home security.

Home security systems do more than sounding an alarm in case of a break in. They can actually be set to chime whenever a monitored door is opened. This is useful for parents who have small kids, as it helps keep them from leaving the house.

Be sure that your home is always occupied. Purchase timers for electronics, lights, radios and TVs so that they will turn on and off at varied intervals. This makes it look as though people are home no matter what. This can be a terrific method of securing your home and keeping burglars at bay.

Buy a safe. This is vital since it means all of your things will be safe if someone breaks in your home. Your safe should be placed somewhere it is not readily noticeable.

Is your dog outside even if you are away? If so, you can use your dog to hide your spare key. Attach your spare key inside the collar of your dog. This is an especially good idea if your dog doesn’t like strangers, and gives you easy access to get in your home.

Look at the prices for all of the security systems that you are interested in. Some companies offer comparable levels of protection that can be priced very differently. Look at a number of different companies and get at least three quotes before selecting what you feel is the ideal plan for your home.

Valuable Items

Turn off your phone’s ringer when you go on vacation. If your phone is ringing while you are out, burglars will realize that no one is home, making your home very vulnerable to an attack during your time away.

Make sure you have a safe to keep valuable items in one place. This will keep your stash of diamonds, gold and other valuable items out of view and inaccessible to burglars. Hide your safe in a hard to find place like the basement or attic.

Clear away all the dead and dried out vegetation around your home in the summer. These can quickly become fire hazards when hit by direct sunlight, placing your house at risk. To make sure your home is safer, clear your yard periodically.

Before agreeing to work with a security company, check with your friends and family for recommendations. They may have had experiences with certain companies and can lead you in the right direction. Make sure to ask neighbors for advice too.

Contact the local police department to find out more about the protection programs they offer. Home inspections or engraving identifiers can help protect you. Discuss these programs with a local police officer to see if they’re available in your area.

Don’t make a habit of giving strangers access to your home. Even if the person has a compelling story, needs help or has something to sell, they should not be given access. Some folks will enter to scout for security systems, and upon seeing you lack one, will resolve to return at a later time.

Before doing anything else, install new locks in your home. It might be that you have an angry ex-roommate or a bitter ex-partner, so changed locks will boost your security. It is generally cheap and may be done in a little under a day.

Be brave! Be friendly with people that live in the neighborhood. Keep an eye out for their houses, and request that they return the favor. Listen to gossip also. You can learn of important security information, including if strangers have been lurking.

Get creative and hide valuables inside your walls. You don’t have to cut pieces out of the walls. Many spots are already cut that can be used for this purpose. Remove the wires from an electric socket you do not use so you can hide your valuable jewelry.

Walls are great for hiding things. Small items of value can be hidden for safety in your home’s walls. Just use an unwired electric plug, light switch or phone box. You can also just put in a false plate to cover a hiding place.

Don’t give outside people the ability to see into your home. Having large windows in front of your home may be a great way to see what is happening outside, but it can also give crooks a view inside your home. If you have windows that face the street, always keep them covered and keep your valuables safe.

It is important that your valuables are not visible from anywhere outside your house. Large windows let in a lot of light, but they also allow outsiders to see inside your living space. If you’ve got street facing windows, be sure and keep them covered.

Do you know how valuable the wires within your home are? Most people are unaware of this fact until a burglar takes it from their house. The copper component of wiring is very valuable and may be stripped from the outside of your home in a fairly short amount of time. This is why the wiring should be hidden or difficult to get to.

Lock the house, even if just going away for a short time. Surprisingly, lots of burglaries occur because the burglar was able to simply walk in without having to actually break in. It does not take long for thieves to steal a lot from your home.

Flashlights in your home should always have newer batteries if your power goes out. They will help you get around in case your entire home is dark. Make sure everyone in your family knows where the flashlights are.

Rotted Wood

Consider home security and safety when you are planning your landscaping. You should have a clear view out of all your windows and an unobstructed path to any doors. Intruders should have nowhere to hide near your home. Put landscaping farther away from the house for greater safety.

Replace rotten wood near door frames. An intruder can simply pry away that rotted wood and enter your home. Replace rotted wood with fresh wood to make your home safer.

Think about your personal security needs before you purchase a home security system. Although automated electronic systems are powerful, they’re not necessarily the cost-effective solution for every home. You could, for instance, invest in an alarm system, some outside lights, adopt a dog or take some self-defense classes. Understanding your neighborhood, risks and budget constraints can help you to make the best choices.

Criminals are much less likely to target your home if it’s well lit. Most burglars rely on concealment to approach a home. With a well lit home there is no place for burglars to conceal themselves. Make sure the lights stay on to keep your home safe.

Keep your garage shut and locked so burglars can’t peek inside. If your garage door has windows, make sure they have a frosted coating. This is easy to find at any major hardware store, and installation is a breeze. Also, do not leave doors open.

Checking out security firms online is a great idea. Many websites feature reviews, testimonials, and package details from home security services. Once you have selected a few potential home security providers, set appointments to interview them and find out what they have on offer.

Whenever you purchase some expensive item, don’t place the empty boxes right outside your home. Burglars pay attention to this, and it will make them want to break in and get the items. Break down the box, and take it to the local recycling center.

You may want to get a security system that is wireless. Although wired systems are usually more affordable, they usually involve changing out the wires of your home. As a result, if a power outage occurs, these wires will probably not be effective. Wireless systems don’t need your home’s power in order to properly work. In addition, they can be usually be installed and maintained easier.

Don’t hide keys in obvious areas. Everybody knows about fake rocks. The thief will check under the mat before anything else. You should just give a spare key to a trusted neighbor instead. This will reduce the chances of a burglary.

Make sure that your house number are visible from the street. It is important for the authorities to find your address in the event of an emergency. Thankfully if you notice a problem it’s an easy and cheap thing to fix.

Install a hard-wired system if you want to minimize maintenance costs. A wireless system is a good option but you will have to replace batteries regularly. If you don’t replace the batteries, you’ll find that your system stops working correctly. Batteries can be very expensive to change.

Your precious pooch is one of your best home security weapons. Dogs can be extremely protective of their space and are great at barking when something is afoot. Your dog doesn’t have to be a big, burly attack dog. Any size dog will drive criminals away, as the barking will be too much noise for them to be stealthy.

Purchase a timer to put your lights on and off during the day. A timer will turn your lights on and off randomly and functions whether you are home or not.

Inquire whether a security company offers variable contract lengths. Each will have its own pros and some cons, too. Your bill may be lower with a long-term contract, but you could wind up paying for a service you’re not using if you decide to move. If you want more freedom, it is best to purchase a more expensive but shorter contract.

Always lock second story windows. Many people think burglars can’t gain access to these windows; however, this is not true. This is not always the case. Never underestimate the ability of an intruder to get into your home if they are really determined.

If you always turn your lights on or off at the same time, use a timer. This is simpler, as you will not have to flip any switches, and you will know the lights will go off and on in your absence.

Be sure to get deadbolt locks with captive key-locks. These devices include a thumb latch so that no one can reach around and open the lock through a broken window nearby. Leave a key inside the lock in case there’s an emergency.

Home security is a topic of vital importance but one about which not everybody knows a great deal. This topic needs to be the number one priority for all who want to keep their family safe and protected. With any luck, this piece has provided a good basis for investigation.

If you are female and live by yourself, you are a major target. Make it seem as if there is a man living in your home by putting large mud boots on your porch and a man’s hat in your car. This is one way to deter criminals from breaking into your home.