Do you want to secure your home with an alarm system? A lot of people buy one without considering if they really need one. The tips below will help you make the decision.

After you purchase a new home, change the locks. You don’t know the exact number of copies of that key the previous owners have or have handed out. To ensure that you are the only one who has access to your house, call a locksmith. Do the same thing if you happen to misplace a key.

Your faithful dog makes a great hiding spot for a spare key. This can be done if your dog can come outside. Attach the key to your dog’s collar, and it will be handy if you ever need a spare.

Ask your friends for advice before you choose a home security system or company. Your friends have gone through both bad and good experiences and they will be able to share them with you. Make broad inquiries so that you are able to make a well-informed decision.

Don’t let strangers enter your home. This includes a salesperson or people looking for help. Even home security representatives could be intruders who want to check the kind of protection you have.

Do you keep your dog outdoors when you are away from home? Use him or her to help hide your spare key! Attach the key to the dog’s collar so that it is hidden from view. If your dog does not like strangers, this can help ensure consistent access to the house.

Don’t be shy. Introduce yourself to your neighbors. Watch their homes and ask them if they’ll watch yours as well. Don’t discount what sounds like idle gossip. You may learn some great information about security, such as if any strangers have been hanging around.

Have lights that are motion-sensor installed. If someone enters their proximity, they will light automatically. They will signal movement to you but will also serve as deterrents to the thieves. Do not forget to change a bulb when it burns out.

Make sure you have a safe to keep valuable items in one place. This is vital if you don’t want diamonds, gold or other personal items exposed to a home intruder. Hide your safe in a hard to find place like the basement or attic.

Use your wall spaces to hide your valuables. You don’t have to cut out pieces of the wall to do this. There are many places in your home that are pre-cut and available. For example, place jewelry in an unused electrical outlet.

Look for an alarm system that does more than protect your doors. Burglars often enter through windows as well. Have alarms installed for each window and any other entry point. This will help to keep your family safe.

Consider the advice of your friends when selecting your home security company. You can benefit from the experience of others that have gone before you by paying attention to their recommendations and warnings. Make sure to ask neighbors for advice too.

Be on the lookout for rotten wood anywhere near your doors or windows. Anyone hoping to enter your home can very easily do so by just prying away the rotted wood. Replace this old wood if you want to keep your house safe.

Don’t let anyone in your house without knowing their work history and checking their references. You need to do background checks in order to find out about their criminal history. Someone can seem nice and professional on the outside, but they may not be so nice on the inside.

Never let a stranger inside. Even if someone has a good story, requires help or has a great product to sell, ignore them. This is the first rule of keeping your home secure.

If you hire a security company, read any fine print. There may be hidden costs to doing business with them, including early termination fees and surprising equipment costs. You are going to want to avoid these kinds of hidden fees, so know about them up front.

Ask about the history of any home security company you are considering. Companies that have been around for years have shown that they know the industry and that their services are reliable and great enough for recommendations. You get better peace of mind if you deal with someone you know you can trust for the long haul.

You need to be sure the attached garage of yours is secure. There is a way to stop thieves from entering your home from the garage. A C clamp helps for garage doors on a track. The clamp actually keeps the door closed if tightened close to the track roller.

Home security systems could be the best thing you could do for your family. You might just have to adjust your routine. Ensure you thoroughly research your options so you can select the best home-security plan for your home.