Are you in need of a good security system? Many folks buy one without really needing one. Make sure that you are not careless and there is a good chance that you will be safe.

After you buy your new house, get new locks. This is because you really have no idea who has keys, and therefore access to your home. Call a locksmith to make sure you’re the only one with access to your home. If you lose keys, make sure to do this, too.

Consider using your dog as a place to store your spare key. But, this is only effective if your home has a pet door or your dog stays outdoors when you are not home. Attach the key to your dog’s collar, and it will be handy if you ever need a spare.

Make sure to use caution when deciding if and where to hide an extra key outside of your home. Intruders will more than likely check under your doormat or above your door frame. One idea is to hide your key inside the collar of your outdoor dog.

Get advice from loved ones about home security systems. Most will be willing to share their likes, loves and loathes, especially as they realize how important it is to you. Taking a little time to listen can make you a much better decision maker when it comes to home security.

Do you have an outdoor dog? You might consider leaving your spare key with your dog. Simply put the key onto your dog’s collar so that robbers cannot locate it. This is very effective if your pet is afraid of strangers; therefore, burglars are not very likely to notice the key.

Be brave! Get to know other people who live next door and others in your neighborhood. Agree to watch each other’s homes while you are away. Don’t ignore any gossip either. You could learn important security information, such as if strangers have been lurking around the neighborhood.

Go with your instincts when choosing a security system company. If the installers make you feel uncomfortable, heed your feelings. If you simply are not comfortable with a company’s technician, request for another technician or simply hire another company. You want your new system to protect you, not be the way the thief gets into your home.

Home security systems have additional features to just being noise alarms. They often even alert you to any time a door is opened. This is great for parents that have small children so that they know when their kids open or close doors.

You can hide your valuable items inside your walls. This does not mean that you should make alterations to your walls. There should be pre-cut spaces throughout your home that will suffice. Perhaps you can use an old electricity socket as a place to hide your valuables.

While choosing your alarm system, ask about protection for windows and motion detection as well as doors. All of your windows are possible entry points for a thief too. Each point of entry for your home should be monitored by the system. This is great for keeping the family secure.

Think very carefully about where to hide your spare key. Under the doormat or above the door frame are all too common spaces that will be checked first by potential intruders. Try hiding your key somewhere more unique, like your outside dog’s collar.

If you bought any expensive or large items, don’t throw the boxes out until the day trash is scheduled to be removed. Letting such packaging sit out will signal to criminals that there are good things to be found in your house.

If you allow a security company to come to your house, make sure they appear professional and can present identification. Thieves can pass themselves as workers, which can end up in a robbery of your home. This puts your household and valuables at considerable risk. Caution is always advisable if dangers like this are to be avoided.

Change your locks if someone you don’t trust moves out of your home. Perhaps your roommate left town or you have gone through a messy divorce, and you need to feel that the home is safe. It’s generally cheap can can take less than a day to do.

Check references before giving anyone access to your home. A background check which includes any criminal history is warranted. It is not a good idea to give anyone a key to your home, even contractors or repairmen.

If you sign a contract for a security company, read all the fine print first. Sometimes, hidden costs can be incurred if you get rid of the service before a certain date. If you can’t avoid these types of fees, you should at least be aware of them.

If you do not reside in a big city, you may not worry as much about home burglaries. People who live in the country may even be more vulnerable because they do not have nearby neighbors. Not everyone believes this, though.

It is a good idea to get some history on any home security companies you are thinking about doing business with. You can be sure that an established company has a good track record of providing solid and reliable service. Knowing that you are dealing with a shady company can keep you calm when making this crucial decision.

Be sure your home is well lit on the outside. Thieves like to commit crimes when no one can see. So it’s smart to put a light in typically darker corners around your home. This includes doorways and porches, the garage, and windows on ground floors which may invite intruders.

Don’t throw away boxes for expensive or valuable items until the garbage collection day. Empty boxes might draw the attention of robbers and let everyone know you own new and expensive goods.

Invest in a good paper shredder. A thief looking through your discarded papers can find a lot of information you do not want them to have. They may even learn your schedule, so they can burgle your home while you are away. Rip your important papers up before throwing them away if you can’t get a shredder.

The number on your house should be easy to find. In the event of an emergency, police officers may have trouble finding your house if they cannot read your address numbers. There is a cheap and quick fix if you see an issue.

When moving into your new house, change every lock. As nice as the previous person may seem, you don’t really know them. People may have lived in the home before those owners, too.

You don’t have to have a giant key ring full of keys just because you want your home to be secure. There are locks that use a code for entry, rather than a key. You can have your home security company install it for you, or you can do it yourself.

If your lights are generally turned off at roughly the same time, consider using a timer. You will not have to expend as much energy taking care of the lights, but you will still be able to make sure your house is illuminated when you want it to be.

Having your home lit up and bright at night is a great deterrent to crooks. Burglars don’t want to be visible. Good lighting in your home means that crooks have no hiding places. Keep lights on during the night.

Home security systems are often the best choice for some families. You may actually just need to make some adjustments around the house. Be sure to thoroughly research all available options before picking a home security plan.