Do you know much about home security systems? If you don’t know about home security, it’s time to become educated. The cost of securing your home can be high, so read on to find out more about affordable solutions.

Place the spare key that you make on your dog. However, this method is only effective if your dog is large, scary, and stays outdoors. Latch the key on his collar and voila–you have a spare key available!

Solicit word of mouth recommendations from friends, colleagues and family members to find a great home security company or system. You can learn a lot from people who have already dealt with these companies. Making a great choice is important, so this advice will come in handy.

Spare Key

Do you have an outside dog? If so, the dog can be a terrific spot to keep a spare key. Conceal it in the dog’s collar. If your pet does not get along with strangers, this will ensure your spare key stays safe.

Check with the police department in your town for home security tips and advice. They may offer neighborhood watch programs, home inspections, engraving tools for marking code numbers onto items so that they will be easily identified if stolen. Ask your police department to see if these types of programs are available.

Do not post on your social media accounts regarding when you will be away on vacation. It’s natural to be excited about your trip, but this is as good as throwing out the welcome mat for people who know your home is unoccupied.

Don’t overlook your garage as a potential access point for thieves. There is a solution for people that are worried about burglars going into their home through an attached garage. Try putting a C-clamp on your garage door track. This will stop the door from rising if you want to keep it closed.

Use your garage for what it was intended: your car. Keeping the car inside is a good way to keep criminals from stealing or harming it. Hiding the car from plain sight can keep possible intruders from figuring out when you’re home and also when you are not.

Eliminate dead vegetation and rotting wood from the yard each summer. These can quickly become fire hazards when hit by direct sunlight, placing your house at risk. Make sure your yard is clean for the sake of your safety – and that of your family!

Do not be reluctant to meet your neighbors. Speak with your neighbors. Watch their homes for suspicious activity and get their word that they will do the same thing for you. You shouldn’t neglect gossip. You may find out helpful information about strangers lurking around.

People in rural areas are not usually as worried about burglaries as people in cities. People who live in the country may even be more vulnerable because they do not have nearby neighbors. Others hold that burglars are not as likely to target rural areas.

Do not hide your spare key under your doormat or in a nearby planter. Though you may think you are giving yourself a way into your home if you lose your key, you are actually inadvertently inviting intruders into your home. Thieves are familiar with these hiding spots. A better solution is to give your key to a neighbor you trust.

Always lock your home, regardless of how short your trip out is. Break-ins are often the result of unlocked windows and doors. It does not take long for thieves to steal a lot from your home.

Keep valuables out of sight of windows. While it may be nice to look out, burglars will see your valuables inside. You should cover any windows that are facing the street so your valuables will be safe.

Screen the references of anyone who would have access to your house. Do not hesitate to hire someone to run a background check if you have doubts. 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.

Keep safety in mind when doing landscaping. Doors and windows should not be obstructed by trees, plants or shrubs. This makes it where people can’t hide in different nooks and crevices. Landscaped features should be set further away for safety, yet keeping beauty in mind.

When you choose an alarm system, pick one that offers protection that goes beyond the doors. Burglars can gain entry through your windows as well. Each point of entry for your home should be monitored by the system. This will help to keep your family safe.

It is a good idea to get some history on any home security companies you are thinking about doing business with. 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.

Think about getting a home security system that is wireless. These systems are much more efficient and can save you time and hassle. Wireless systems are easier to install and maintain, and they do not rely on the power in your home to work correctly.

After bringing home a big-ticket item, such as an appliance or electronic device, avoid leaving the packages on the curb before trash day. Having these boxes nearby can tell robbers what kind of merchandise you’ve got in your house.

Expensive Items

Never place empty boxes for expensive items out on the curb. This will just alert criminals to the fact that you have expensive items in your home. Break up the boxes into smaller pieces before you put them near the curb.

Before you let security company representatives into your home, check their ID. Thieves often pose as security company representatives in order to enter homes and look for valuables. This can be extremely dangerous to your home and loved ones. Be careful if you want to avoid danger.

Are you feeling a bit better informed on the subject of home security? The better educated you are on the subject, the more informed decisions you can make. Keep these tips handy as you make your decision about a good security system.