The business of home security is booming. Burglaries happen every day, no matter where you’re living. The typical targets are those homes lacking security systems and with poor security measures in place. To prevent your home from getting broken into, check out the below article to learn some excellent tips on protecting your home.

Home security systems have additional features to just being noise alarms. Most of them can be programmed to alert you to anyone entering your home. This is important if you have small kids.

When looking to buy a security system, shop around. Wild variations in pricing can exist for similar security products. Get three quotes or more before making a choice.

When looking to purchase a good home security system, it is best that you look at many companies. You would be surprised to see that the prices are much different for each company, even though it’s for the same type of protection. Make sure you get quotes from at least three companies before you decide on which one you think is the best option.

You should never give details about your vacations and other plans on social networks. While it is exciting to go to a new place and have a good time, you are letting thieves know that your house will be empty and they can come right in.

Avoid opening the door if you don’t know who is standing on the other side. Folks are always thinking up new schemes to get people to open the door so that they can commit their crimes. Make sure everyone in your house knows not to open the door unless they know the person standing outside.

In the summertime, you should rid your yard of dead bushes and vegetation. This sort of thing is a fire hazard in the heat of summer. Clear yard regularly to maintain your house safe.

If you have an attached garage, make sure it is secure. A common concern expressed among homeowners is that someone might enter their garage and use that as an entrance to their home. There is a solution, however. Get a C-clamp to secure your garage door if it is mounted on a track.

Don’t forget to secure your skylights too. While they are nice and help with lighting, they also provide the burglars help with access to your home. Fix your skylights so they cannot be accessed as an entry point by intruders.

If you install a security system, make certain to hide the wires well. Easily-accessible security wiring is a definite weak point in your home’s protection; the best alarm system in the world is useless if it’s easily disabled. Don’t make it easier for them, so have wires hidden in the house’s walls or buried. This will make you much safer.

Walls are great for hiding things. If you own smaller things that need protection, think about keeping them hidden in the walls. You can use phone jacks or electric outlets as hiding spots. Installing a false unused plate is very easy to do if your home doesn’t have one.

Be sure to replace rotten wood in the frame of your front door. Anyone hoping to enter your home can very easily do so by just prying away the rotted wood. Always replace rotting wood with fresh wood immediately to keep your house strong and secure.

Purchase an alarm system that has a few “bells and whistles;” you don’t just need protection for your doors. Windows are a way for thieves to enter your home as well. Make sure the alarm is attached to all of them, and that monitoring is offered for all possible entry points. This is a way to make sure your family will be safe.

Screen the references of anyone who would have access to your house. A background check may also be a good idea. You can’t know for sure about the integrity of people you hire, and blindly giving them access to your home can be a huge mistake.

Hide the wires of your home security system. An intruder can cut the wires if he can find them. Make it hard for a burglar to avoid your detection. This helps keep you and your family safe.

Motion-sensitive exterior lighting is a must. Cost-effective and aesthetically pleasing, these lights really add value to your home. When they are positioned correctly, they make it pretty much impossible for intruders to get to your house unnoticed.

Make sure you have several flashlights that are charged and ready to go in the event of a power outage. These items will help you remain safe when there is no electricity. Make sure your whole family knows where to find them and how to operate them.

Ask the home security company about how long they’ve been running prior to signing up. A company that has been in business for several years has shown that they can sustain in this industry and proven they provide reliable services that people recommend. You should not trust a company that does not have a good record with your local Better Business Bureau or few years of experience.

If you move to a place that was occupied before, you should change the locks right away. Previous tenants may have given the keys back to the landlord, but it is always possible to make copies of keys. You might even purchase and install your own locks so that you are assured of having the only keys.

Ask your home security company about coming to your residence and creating a system that is tailored to your personal needs. Each situation is different. A custom set-up will make sure you’re as safe as can be.

Carefully check the references of everyone before allowing them to enter your home. Try doing a background check to look at their criminal history. You need to be very careful with the contractors, repairmen or maids you trust with being alone in your home.

Discourage burglars by making your garage windows opaque. Frost your windows so people cannot look inside your home. Don’t let your door hang open for lengthy periods of time.

Research how long a security company has been in the business before contracting with them. A company that has been in business for several years has shown that they can sustain in this industry and proven they provide reliable services that people recommend. You get better peace of mind if you deal with someone you know you can trust for the long haul.

When standing in the street, can you see your house numbers? Small or obscured numbers can make it difficult for emergency personnel to locate your home. Luckily, you can fix this quickly and cheaply if you see there’s a problem.

If you come to your home and discover that your door has been left open, avoid investigating by yourself. This can be a dangerous scenario, as the criminal might still be present. Call the authorities and let them take care of the situation.

If you live alone or with other responsible adults, there is no need to lock off areas of your home to prevent access. Use a code-access lock for any door you don’t want others opening. You can install them yourself, or you can have a home security service install them.

Consider installing a surveillance system. Having visible or hidden cameras can help immensely. Most intruders are discouraged by visible cameras. But, if they attempt to disable the camera, you will still be able to see them if you have a hidden camera. You can often view these feeds over the Internet, too.

Speak with your security company about contract lengths and any options available. They probably each have their pluses and negatives. Long contracts may cost less each month, but it could leave you with a larger bill if you decide to end your service. There’s more freedom with a contract that’s shorter, but the monthly payments may be higher.

If you purchase a new TV or computer, don’t leave empty boxes from your purchases on the curb. If a burglar sees your empty box, he or she will know that valuable item is inside your house. That’s good motivation for a break-in. Break the boxes down, or take a scissors to them to help them fit in your trash can.

If you want to hide your house key, find a spot that is not obvious. It’s easy to see fake rocks. The doormat is the first place someone will look. Instead, you should keep your spare keys with a trusted neighbor. If you have no choice but to hide a spare key, apply some inventive, out-of-the-box thinking when you do it.

Can you read your house numbers while in the street? Make sure they are large in case emergency personnel need to find your house. 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 do forget to have them changed, the system will not work right. It’s also very costly to replace a lot of batteries at once.

Inquire as to the different lengths of contracts offered by your security company. They all likely have different benefits and downsides. Longer contracts may create a lower bill per month, but you you could maintain those monthly expenses if you discontinue service or sell the home. If you want more freedom, it is best to purchase a more expensive but shorter contract.

Also, keep your second floor windows locked at all times. Many people think burglars can’t gain access to these windows; however, this is not true. This is not always true. Criminals know that this is a vulnerable area in home security.

Spare Key

The best locks you can get are deadbolts that include captive keylocks. This makes it impossible to open the lock from the outside because of the thumb latch. Put the key into the lock when home so you can get away if there is a fire.

Avoid common hiding places for your spare key. Fake rocks are particularly simple to spot. Doormats and rocks in front of the house are too obvious. A friend or neighbor can be a much better key holder than an inanimate object. If you have no choice but to hide a spare key, apply some inventive, out-of-the-box thinking when you do it.

Having a big, scary dog around does has its benefits. Burglars don’t want to worry about getting attacked. Consider getting a large dog that will protect your whole family while being a playmate for your children, walking pal or friendly companion.

If the door isn’t solid wood or metal, then replace it with a door that is. Doors such as these stand their ground. If the burglar tries to kick their way in, they have a hard time doing so. The cost of replacing these doors is very minimal if they were to break.

Get security systems directly through the company. This is because a re-seller might not give you the same level of service that the company will. By dealing with the original company, you will know you are not having to pay unnecessary fees, and can feel confident that you will be able to secure continued service.

You as well as your loved ones deserve a secure home. You never know when a criminal will strike. By using the information you’ve just read, you can make a more secure home environment. Don’t procrastinate. Do something about the security of your house before it’s too late.

Search for a company that offers you more than a simple security system. A reliable company will inspect your home, and give you ideas about improving its safety. That could include new, stronger locks, landscaping advice and even window replacement. You should ensure your company has your security in mind. If they truly care about it, then they will talk to you about these things.