Do you want to buy a security system for your home? Often people make this important purchase without thinking about whether or not it is necessary. Locking your doors could make a huge difference and could provide the security that you need.

Your home should always look like it is occupied. You can purchase inexpensive timers that will control different electronics and lights in your home. This will make it look like someone is home. This is a great way to keep your home safe and avoid burglaries.

Do you have an outside dog? Your pet might just be the perfect place to stash a spare key to your home. Secure the key on the inside of the dog’s collar. This is quite effective if your pet does not respond well to strangers.

Keep your most precious belongings inside a safe. This will help to keep your jewelry and other valuables secured in the event of a break in. This safe should be hidden in a location where burglars won’t find it, such as a hole in the wall, the attic, or a basement closet.

Don’t be shy. Build up a rapport with the people who own homes close to yours. Keep an eye on their houses and yards and request that they return the favor. Never neglect gossip. It is often a good way to find out about security issues, such as strangers in the neighborhood.

The materials of your home should be fire resistant. This will make your home more safe, especially if you are in a dry climate that has many power lines. Avoiding fire hazards is a great way to keep things safe.

Always lock your house, no matter how briefly you expect to be gone. A lot of times, burglaries happen due to carelessness. It can be a quick job for a burglar to steal items of great value.

If there are people you don’t know that have access to your social media sites, then you don’t want to let all of them know you’re 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.

Entry Points

Before leaving for vacation, turn off the ringers in your house. A ringing phone that goes unanswered may signal to a burglar that nobody is home.

Purchase an alarm system that has a few “bells and whistles;” you don’t just need protection for your doors. Windows are all potential entry points for burglars. Be sure your home alarm covers all entry points into your home. This will make your family safer.

Go with your gut when you invite a home security company representative into your house. This is doubly true when you feel unease about the installers. Never be afraid to ask for a new installer or to get an entirely new firm. Security is supposed to give you peace of mind after all!

If you are new into a house, replace all the locks. While the person you bought the home from may seem on the up and up, you have no idea who they really are. Remember that different families might have dwelt there before this person.

Make sure that none of your valuables can be seen from the outside. Large windows at the home’s front can be beautiful, but it can make it easier for criminals to see inside. If your windows face a street, be sure they’re always covered and have your valuables safe.

Replace rotted wood around any door frames. Rotten wood is easily removed and can give an intruder a way into your home. Replace wood that is starting to rot with fresh new wood to keep your home as safe as possible.

Always lock your house, even if you are only going to be away for a few minutes. In a lot of cases, home intruders enter through unlocked doors. They can get a ton of stuff quickly and be long gone before you return.

Before you let a security company representative enter your home, make sure they are in uniform, and don’t hesitate to ask them for identification. It is easy for potential thieves to present themselves as representatives of a company in order to gain access to your home. This can lead to harm befalling your family and possessions. You want to use caution to prevent danger.

You want an alarm system that protects more than your doors. Windows need to be monitored too. You want a security system that monitors all your windows and doors. This is just one more thing you can do to protect your home.

Keep lights on at all times if you want to prevent break-ins from happening. They do not want to be seen. Good lighting in your home means that crooks have no hiding places. If you want to stay secure, keep your house brightly lit.

Don’t allow the wires of your home security system to be visible to others. Intruders can easily disable your home security system by cutting or unplugging the wires. Don’t let this happen; bury or hide the wires. This can make you safer.

Always use online resources to identify the very best home security firm. You should look at testimonials from customers and different information you can find. Once you do this, make appointments with the three best companies you find so that you can compare pricing and other important details.

Talk to any companies you’re considering hiring to install a security system about how long the company has been around. Find a home security company that has a good reputation and many years of experience to get excellent service. Knowing you are not dealing with a fly by night company gives you extra peace of mind when making this important decision.

Get your home security system custom built for your needs. Each situation is different. You’ll get the best protection by using a company that can tailor a plan to your requirements.

A reputable security company will send a representative to your home to design a custom system. Everyone has different needs, and your security system should be designed to protect your home and family. Most companies will create an individual plan to meet your needs so you can have a high level of security to assure your peace of mind.

If you get home and see the door is slightly open, don’t go inside by yourself to investigate. This can be dangerous since the intruder might still be on the property. Go to a neighbor’s or another safe area and call the police.

You need a home security system. Setting up hidden and visible video cameras is a good way to keep your home secure. Intruders can be deterred to visible cameras, but hidden cameras are better if criminals damage the other cameras. Some security systems are accessible via mobile phone, which lets you look in on your house when away.

A wireless security system could be a good option. While wired systems may seem cheaper, they need your home to be rewired and they can fail due to a power outage. Wireless systems don’t need your home’s power in order to properly work. In addition, they can be usually be installed and maintained easier.

If you have kids or roommates that you don’t want in certain household areas, it’s not necessary to lock multiple doors and tote around tons of keys. Get key-less locks that need a code. You can even install it yourself.

Make sure a surveillance system is part of your home security system. Both hidden and visible security cameras are effective in protecting your home. Cameras that can be clearly seen have a powerful deterrent effect, while concealed cameras are difficult or impossible for intruders to disable. You can sometimes access security systems using your cell phone, keeping you informed on the go.

Do not store your vehicle registration documents in your car’s glove compartment. If someone steals your car, this will tell them where you live too. Keep them with you or hide them elsewhere. If a cop pulls you over, you will need them anyway.

You need to inquire about whether you can buy or lease the home security equipment. Buying will save you a ton of money over time. Although leasing is usually cheaper, you may have to fill out contracts and you will have higher monthly costs. Compare both avenues to see which one is better suited for your needs.

Do not hide your key in obvious places. Rocks that aren’t real are easy to notice. Hiding a key under the doormat is even worse; this cliched tactic will fool no one. Talk to a neighbor or someone that you know to hold your key. If you can’t, be creative where you put the key.

You should not keep your auto registration papers in the glove compartment. If someone finds them, they’ll know your address. Keep these papers on you or hide them under a seat in your vehicle. Make sure you can easily and quickly access them in the event that a police officer pulls you over.

If your door has a numeric keypad lock, never make its password your birth date. A thief can easily find this information out. Rather, use a number that can be determined through an equation that you can remember instead.

If you’ve got a keypad to lock your door, do not make a password which is obvious. A thief can easily find this information out. You should choose a number no one else will be able to guess and change it regularly.

If you have a living room window that faces the street, draw your curtains at night. Don’t tempt others to look in your windows. If the crooks can see what you own, then they are going to target you next. Be discreet about what the public can see and you can reduce your chances of getting burglarized.

If you want to minimize the maintenance required by your security system, go with one that’s hard-wired. Wireless security systems are great, but need frequent battery changes. If you don’t replace the batteries, you’ll find that your system stops working correctly. Replacing batteries can get costly.

If you want maximum security, make sure that your exterior doors are either solid wood or metal. Durability is key. If a thief tried to kick the door, he would not be successful in doing so. It shouldn’t be too expensive to replace all exterior doors, so do it immediately.

Keep your drapes closed at night. You would not want to tempt outsiders to look through your window. If criminals can clearly view what’s going on in your house, it makes it easier for them to commit crimes. Lock everything up and shade your windows to stay discreet.

Always lock your second story windows. A lot of people forget to lock the windows on the second floor, but intruders will use these windows. However, this is actually not how it goes. This is something that is a weak area, and criminals will go right to them.

If you have a door that isn’t solid wood or metal, change it for either one. These doors are strong. It would be very hard for a burglar to kick it and go inside. Make sure to replace exterior doors for the cheapest amount possible.

Refrain from buying a security system from a re-seller. Resellers are usually all about making a profit, and they do not stand behind everything they sell. Dealing with the company itself will ensure that you’re not paying a middleman and provide you with a warranty.

A home security system can be a very good option to protect your residence and your family. You may actually just need to make some adjustments around the house. Research all of your options before making a decision.

Choose a company that offers more than just alarm systems. For example, the best home security companies offer a home inspection to design your system and give you and your family excellent safety suggestions. Such measures could include additional locks, better windows and changes to landscaping. Look for a company that has your safety in mind, and they will give you advice on these safety issues.