Do you wonder what options you have when it comes to the security of your home? The below article will help. Home security is a complex and costly topic that requires a great deal of thought. You will make better decisions once you read this article and learn more about home security.

Does your dog stay outside while you are gone? This is where you can put your spare key. You can attach your key to your dog’s collar in order to keep the key hidden. If your dog does not like strangers, this can help ensure consistent access to the house.

Your faithful dog makes a great hiding spot for a spare key. This is a great idea if your dog is outside all the time, or they can get out through a doggy door. Put a key on the dog’s collar so you have access to it when necessary!

Home security systems are able to do more than just sounding the alarm whenever you have an intruder. Most systems could sound an alarm when someone enters the home. This is a valuable safety feature for parents of small children since they know if their child has exited the home.

Make sure that you change the locks once you’ve taken possession of the house. The previous owners or tenants might have made several copies of the key. To make sure your home can only be accessed by you, enlist the help of a locksmith. You should also have your locks changed if you lose your keys.

Turn off ringers on land line phones while you are on vacation. A burglar might hear your phone ring and ring and ring, then realize that you are not home to answer it.

Home security systems have different kinds of features that can sound an alarm when someone breaks into your house. Many systems can be used to go off whenever anyone enters your home. It’s a great feature for parents as they can tell if a child is potentially leaving the house.

Don’t let strangers enter your house. There are some people who are very convincing and good at getting you to let them into your house. Some criminals will use any reason to gain access to look for security systems and easy entryways into your house.

When you decide to purchase a home alarm system, make sure you comparison shop. Prices can be very different from one product to another. Make sure you get quotes from at least three companies before you decide on which one you think is the best option.

When summer comes around, eliminate all vegetation and dead wood from your yard. You risk a house fire if that sits there during the heat of the summer and catches fire. You can prevent disasters by keeping your yard clean.

If you like to have a key hidden in case you lose yours, place it in a safe place. Above doors or under doormats are much too common to hide them and potential criminals will check them first. Think outside the box and put the key someplace unusual, like hidden in your dog’s collar.

It doesn’t matter how much money you spent, you should have an annual test. Ask someone who works at the security company to do a maintenance check. A number of factors can cause problems with your security system, including wild animals and mother nature. You might be unaware of problems that arise in some cases.

Is your ceiling resistant to fire? What about your flooring or roofing? This will make your home more safe, especially if you are in a dry climate that has many power lines. Fire prevention should be taken seriously because it can stop a major disaster from happening.

Have lights that sense motion. The motion sensors turn on the lights whenever anyone approaches your home. This lets you know something is moving and also drives off criminals. Just remember and change out the light bulbs whenever necessary.

Don’t overlook your garage as a potential access point for thieves. A lot of garage owners fret over burglars entering this way, but there are answers. However, you can use a C-clamp to help keep the door secure.

When searching for methods of improving your home’s security, a great, inexpensive method of doing this is purchasing exterior lights with installed motion detectors. At night, the lights will keep things bright round the house, but they are also efficient and cost-effective ways to help your security. With good positioning and properly set motion detectors, intruders will not be able to sneak up on your home unnoticed.

If you live more out in the country, you may think that you’re not at risk. Some people think that the people out in the country without neighbors are actually at a much greater risk. Some people think burglaries are less prevalent in rural parts.

Don’t allow your landscaping make it easier for burglars to break into your home. All doors and windows must be unobstructed by shrubs, trees, fences, or plants. These types of places provide the perfect cover for prowlers. Plan your greenery and shrubbery for areas away from the direct path to your home to add beauty while still keeping your house safe.

Use the spaces in your home’s walls to store valuables. You don’t have to cut out pieces of the wall to do this. You can find areas in your walls that are pre-cut and use those. What about un-wiring an electrical socket which isn’t used to utilize as a cover to hide your jewelry?

An important part of vetting any security company before you sign a contract with them is finding out how long they’ve been providing security services in your community. Any business with multiple years of history has a proven record in being reliable. You get better peace of mind if you deal with someone you know you can trust for the long haul.

Criminals often pick houses where they can see the valuables inside. If you have big windows near your big entertainment system, it can seem like an invitation to thieves. You always want to make sure you keep your valuables covered if they are by a window.

Never enter your home if you arrive and find the door open. This can be very dangerous because the thief could still be inside. Go to a neighbor’s or another safe area and call the police.

Lock your home when you leave, even if you don’t think you will be away for long. It may be shocking, but many home invasions and burglaries occur by intruders walking through the front door that was left open. Thieves can steal thousands worth of your belongings very quickly.

Don’t neglect your garage when it comes to home security. Use frosted, adhesive backed plastic to cover the windows. You can purchase this at a home improvement store. Make a habit of keep your door closed and locked.

When you choose an alarm system, pick one that offers protection that goes beyond the doors. Thieves can easily enter your home through a window. Make sure you have a monitored alarm on every one of them. This is great for keeping the family secure.

A dog is a great home security alarm. Dogs protect their territory diligently, and tend to make noise if something goes awry. It doesn’t even have to be a big tough dog. Small dogs even scare off intruders as they don’t like anything to make noise when breaking into a home.

Keep flashlights in your rooms. Flashlights are very important, as they will give you the ability to move around in the event of an emergency. Your kids should know how to work the flashlights so that everyone can help.

Ask your security company about the lengths of contract they offer. There are of course pros and cons for each contract. Longer contracts can lower your monthly bill; however, you may have to continue paying the bill even if you move or discontinue with their services. Shorter contracts mean more freedom along with higher costs.

If you wish to boot your home’s security, one cheap way to do this is to buy exterior lights with motion detectors. These lights are not only handy when you get home late, they also help deter criminals from entering your home. When they are positioned correctly, they make it pretty much impossible for intruders to get to your house unnoticed.

Do not hide your key in obvious places. Everyone knows about fake rocks. Doormats, too. A better idea is to have a friend or neighbor keep your emergency key. Otherwise, you should be more creative when it comes to hiding your key.

The most useful tool for finding home security is the Internet. Many websites offer reviews, recommendations, and detailed pricing information. Then, you can set appointments to make price and service comparisons before you choose.

Don’t use your birthday as the passcode for a keypad lock. Your date of birth can be obtained through Facebook or your mail. Try using a number that is the solution to a math problem. Then you can just remember the math problem to arrive at the solution.

Make sure no one can look inside your garage. Add frosting to your window glass to keep folks from looking in the house. Also, don’t leave your door open for long periods of time when you work there.

Always keep valuables you can’t replace secure. Items like family photos, pricy jewelry, legal documents, financial records, and passports need to be kept in a safe location. A floor safe is a great place to keep these items within the home. A better idea could be to store these inside a box outside of your house.

Your security company might give you the option to lease and eventually buy your security equipment. While you will pay more to buy, you don’t have to keep paying for it month after month. Leasing is a good way to avoid the initial expense, but you will have to pay monthly fees. Look at both of these to see what works for you.

See if the security company has motion sensitive lighting. Lots of companies have this, which triggers your exterior lights whenever something or someone moves near a doorway. This will make you more safe as you walk up to your house, and it can keep intruders away.

If you have learned something from this article, you are prepared to proceed. You should keep in mind that this is a very important issue of protecting your home and family. Use the information in this article to make the best decision possible.

Home alarms are a good investment, but only when someone who hears it calls the cops. Get an alarm that is centrally monitored to ensure that when it sounds, the police arrive. The neighbors will not always call.