Continue reading if you need advice about home security. This can be a costly decision without the right knowledge. Knowledge is what you need to make a sound decision.

Only give your house key to a professional house cleaner if you trust them. If you do give your housekeeper a key or plan on doing so, it is imperative that they are honest and upstanding. It is best to do a reference check on them. If they work for a firm, call the local Better Business Bureau to find out that firm’s reputation.

Be sure your home always looks occupied. Have electronics and lights with timers and set them to go off at various times. This makes it look as though people are home no matter what. This is an effective deterrent against burglars.

Do you have an outside dog? She or he is actually a good place to keep the spare key. Put it on their collar. This works especially well as storage if your pet isn’t too fond of strangers.

Keep your car in your garage if you have one. A car kept locked in a garage is much less likely to be stolen or damaged. Besides, intruders will have a hard time determining whether or not you are home if you keep your car inside your garage.

Buy a safe for very valuable items in the house so you can keep them inside a single location. This is very important, as you do not want your gold, diamonds and personal items exposed if someone were to break into your house. Keep your safe in a hard-to-get-to place, such as a basement closet or your attic.

Listen to your intuition as to whether your system is being installed by a trustworthy home security company. If the men who come to your home to do the installation seem untrustworthy, you can change your mind. There is nothing wrong with asking for a different technician if you’re uneasy. The point of having a security system is to make yourself feel at ease.

Don’t post information about an upcoming vacation anywhere on the web. It’s exciting going to new places and enjoying your time, but you could alert thieves to an empty home that they can easily break into.

When selecting a home alarm system, choose one that protects many areas of your home, not just the doors. Your windows should also be protected because burglars can also break into them. Each point of entry for your home should be monitored by the system. This is a way to make sure your family will be safe.

If you’re going on a trip for an extended period of time, switch the ringer off on all home phones. If the phone continues to ring while you’re gone, this lets an intruder know that the home is empty.

Rotted Wood

If you reside in a small town or rural area, then you might not be as worried about someone breaking into your home as city dwellers may be. Some people think that country folk are mainly targeted since they don’t have nearby neighbors. Still, there are those who are of the opinion that rural properties are less of a temptation to burglars.

If there is any rotted wood around your door frame, replace it. Rotted wood causes a serious weakness in your home’s security because it makes it easy to pry open doors. Always replace rotting wood with fresh wood immediately to keep your house strong and secure.

Get creative and hide valuables inside your walls. You do not need to remove segments from your walls. Find a place where there is already a hole to get in through. Remove the wires from an electric socket you do not use so you can hide your valuable jewelry.

Before letting a home security representative inside, ask for identification. It is simple for a thief to pose as a representative of your home security company as a means of gaining access to your house. This is dangerous to your valuables and your family. Make sure you are as cautious as you can be.

Be certain your wires are hidden, if you have installed a security system in your home. A burglar can easily cut and disconnect wires that are left visible. This is why it is so important to make sure all your wires are well hidden. You’ll be safer.

When you hire a type of home security company, read the contract’s fine print before signing. There might be hidden costs or other things you should know about. You want to avoid as many of these fees as you can, so read everything.

Replace all locks in a new house. You have no way of knowing whether the previous homeowner is trustworthy. Keep in mind that other people may have lived in the home prior to the seller.

Having light on in your home at night will scare crooks away. They don’t want anyone to see them. When your house is well lit, intruders have no place to hide. This makes it hard for them to get things from you. Keep your lights turned on during the night.

Ask for ID before letting anyone into your home. Thieves may say they are from a certain company to get into your home. This is dangerous for your family and your possessions. Take care to steer clear of danger.

Think about your personal security needs before you purchase a home security system. You might find that an alarm isn’t necessary at all. Some individuals are more comfortable with a canine alarm, while other people enjoy the feeling of security that a sophisticated alarm system can bring. Make sure you understand your risks so you can make wise purchasing decisions.

See how long the home security company has been around before you make any decisions. You can be sure that an established company has a good track record of providing solid and reliable service. Knowing you are not dealing with a fly by night company gives you extra peace of mind when making this important decision.

It’s a good idea to install a surveillance system in your home. Video cameras are an excellent way to keep your home safe. Also, you can capture the intruder in the act. A lot of surveillance systems are accessible using your cell phone, so you can monitor your home while you are out of town.

Get a custom-designed plan that fits your needs by having the security company do a site visit in your home. They should take your concerns seriously and address any issues you have. If there is a company that can come up with a customized plan, you will get what you really need.

The best way to keep a burglar out of your garage is to ensure no one can see inside. Use frosting to cover the garage window, so people cannot peer inside. It’s also a good idea to avoid leaving your garage door open for any longer than absolutely necessary, even if you’re at home.

In the event you find your door open upon arriving home, you should never enter and investigate yourself. Keep in mind that intruders could still be inside. Call the authorities and let them take care of the situation.

Spring Latch Locks

Consider purchasing a wireless security system for your home. It may cost less to get a wired system; however, rewiring to accommodate the system may be difficult. Additionally, power outages may negatively impact your system. Wireless systems are easier to install and maintain, and they do not rely on the power in your home to work correctly.

Spring latch locks are not a good option. Defeating a spring latch lock is a trivial endeavor; experienced burglars can get through one using nothing more than a credit card. A card can be placed between the latch and the door, and this will open it. If you have already installed spring latch locks, consider adding a deadbolt for even more security.

If someone looks after your house when you’re gone, have them remove fliers from the door. Thieves sometimes place fliers on front doors and then wait to see if anyone removes them. If a flier remains on a front door for a number of days, the burglar knows the homeowner is away.

When you will be away from home, keep the curtains and blinds shut. If the blinds are up, then the intruders can see directly through your home. If they spot something desirable, they will seek access. Curtains and blinds should be drawn shut while you are asleep.

Can you read your house numbers clearly from the street? If your numbers cannot be plainly seen, then the police will struggle to locate your home very quickly in case of emergency. Fortunately, the solution to this is quick, easy and rather cheap once you are aware of the need.

Don’t hide your key somewhere obvious. The classic fake rock is too common and too easy to detect. Many people will look under your doormat. A better plan is to ask someone you trust to keep your extra key in case you need it. If that isn’t possible, think outside the box when you hide it.

Think about a security system that is hard-wired if you really have concerns about maintenance costs. A wireless system is handy, but the frequent battery changes can really amount to a large expense. Forgetting to add new batteries can cause your system to not work as it should. Replacing batteries can get costly.

Program your lights to turn on and off at random intervals with a timer. This helps the lights stay on and continue to switch even when you’re away from your home.

Purchase motion sensor lighting for the next generation in home security. A lot of them have this, and they cause outside lights to come on when people approach your home. This can deter potential thieves, as well as offer extra security while you enter your home.

Common security problems in homes include sliding glass doors. They can be easily opened if someone lifts and shakes the door frame. A pipe cut the right length should be wedged in the door if you have no security system. This jams the door so it just can’t open.

Deadbolts with keys make the best locks. Deadbolts have thumb latches that prevent people from reaching around them to open it. After arriving home, you should put your key inside the lock and keep it there. That will allow you to get out quickly if there is a fire.

Neighborhood gossip does not always have to be tedious and immature. Busybodies may be quick to notice when someone odd is checking out your house. Being friendly will bring you great security.

It’s good to have interior locks, but they really aren’t effective without exterior locks. Use a deadbolt which has a key on the outside and inside for the best security.

Second floor windows have to be locked tight, too. Burglars may not use the front entrance, so this is important for you to do. However, this is simply not true. Never underestimate the ability of an intruder to get into your home if they are really determined.

Buy your alarm system straight from the manufacturer. Dealers just want to make money, and sometimes they do not back up the products that they carry. When talking to the company, make sure you don’t have to pay hidden fees and that someone will fix the equipment if needed.

Now that you know what you need to do, you are prepared to make the right purchase. It is vital that you understand your situation because it is vital in keeping you and your family safe inside your house. You want to utilize the information you’ve read to make this happen.

You need to replace the locks of a home you just bought, no matter who previously lived there. This is especially true if you rent or you buy homes, so be sure to ask the landlord to have the lock switched or you can hire a locksmith if you can do so.