Many consider home security an important subject, but it is also one that is not sufficiently understood by people. Begin by studying this topic intensively to learn how to protect your home, your family and your belongings. Keep reading to learn some valuable pointers on securing your home.

Buy a safe to contain everything of great value. This is essential, because you would never want valuable jewelry and other items to be seen by intruders. Keep it hidden in a hard to find location.

Do you keep your dog outside when you aren’t home? Using Fido to hide your spare key can be a clever trick. Hook your key to the dog’s collar in a place that is shielded from view. If your pet does not get along with strangers, this will ensure your spare key stays safe.

Comparison shopping is essential when seeking a security system for the home. The prices can vary a great deal for the same level of protection from company to company. Get three quotes or more before making a choice.

Setting off an alarm during a burglary is just one of the valuable functions a good security system can perform. The majority of systems will give an audible alert when someone enters the house. If you have little ones wandering about the house, this makes it easy for you to know if they have come in or gone out.

When planning to go away for a holiday, be sure to turn off the ringers on your home phones. A phone which rings forever is a sign to burglars that you’re not there.

Make sure to use caution when deciding if and where to hide an extra key outside of your home. Under the doormat or above the door frame are all too common spaces that will be checked first by potential intruders. Try hiding the key in your outside dog’s collar.

Never allow str4angers to enter your house. While their story may seem legit, that doesn’t mean it is true. Some people will knock on your door simply to see whether you have a security system.

Get roofing, flooring and ceilings that are fire resistant. Your home will get added protection, especially if your environment is dry and has power lines. Fire prevention should be taken seriously because it can stop a major disaster from happening.

Eliminate dead vegetation and wood in the yard in the summer. When summer heats up, such debris can catch fire. Always clear the yard to ensure safety.

Avoid opening the door if you don’t know who is standing on the other side. Folks are always thinking up new schemes to get people to open the door so that they can commit their crimes. Keep a hard, fast rule that says you only open the door for invited guests in order to keep your family safe.

Annual check-ups are important for alarm systems. Make certain the security company you choose provides for regular inspections. Mother Nature and wild animals can also cause issues with your home security system. Sometimes, you may need a professional to locate the problem.

When choosing a home security firm, trust your instincts. If you don’t feel comfortable with the technician, don’t allow them access to your home. Ask the company to send a different installer or simply change companies. The point of having a security system is to make yourself feel at ease.

Use motion sensor lights. These lights turn on if someone walks closely to your house. Then you will know someone is present, and if the person is a burglar, he or she will be very likely to turn around and leave. Just remember that you must change the bulbs often in order to keep the lights working in order.

Conceal valuable spaces within your walls. You do not need to remove segments from your walls. Instead, you can use the small spaces that are already there. Perhaps you can use an old electricity socket as a place to hide your valuables.

Alter the combination of the locks in your home. Not everyone who leaves your house will leave happy, and a fresh set of locks will protect you from both former residents and acquaintances of your own looking to cause mischief. Changing the locks can typically be done very cheaply and quickly.

Before allowing someone into your house, be sure to carefully check their references. A background check may also be a good idea. It is not a good idea to give anyone a key to your home, even contractors or repairmen.

Those that live in rural area are not as concerned about having their home invaded as those who are located in the city. Due to the distance between neighbors, some think rural areas are more likely to have intruders. Others think that rural places have less of a chance of being targets for burglars.

Don’t allow your landscaping make it easier for burglars to break into your home. Don’t provide burglars with cover by planting big shrubs in front of your doors and windows. Keeping these features free of vegetation robs would-be burglars of concealment and hiding places. Put these features at a greater distance from your house; let beauty also complement safety.

When choosing an alarm system, consider one that offers protection for more than just your doors. Thieves can easily enter your home through a window. Every single entry point needs to have monitoring on it. This is a way to make sure your family will be safe.

Think about your specific needs and risks prior to investigating security systems. Generic systems aren’t for everyone. In some neighborhoods, it may be better for you to have a dog, or even take self defense classes in order to protect yourself. Before you sink a lot of money into your home’s security, make sure that you’re properly addressing your particular risks.

When installing your home security system, make sure to hide the wires. Intruders can get around security systems and into a home by cutting the wires. Make it hard for intruders and bury the wires or hide them inside your walls, if possible. Keep yourself safe.

You should think about getting a home security system that is wireless. These systems are much more efficient and can save you time and hassle. On the other hand, wireless systems use their own power and have easier installations.

The number one thing you must do if you’re moving into a new place is have the locks changed. Even though the previous tenant may have turned in their key, you never know if they have a copy. You can purchase the locks and install them yourself to ensure you’re the only person that has a key.

If you must hide your key outside, do not put it someplace obvious. An easily moved object close to the door is the first place a burglar will look. Under your doormat is also a common place burglars will look. It’s better to ask a trusted friend or neighbor to hold your extra key. If you cannot do that, try to be creative when it comes to hiding places.

It is a good idea to get some history on any home security companies you are thinking about doing business with. Any business with multiple years of history has a proven record in being reliable. You’ll have a lot more confidence in your choice if you stick with a company that has a proven track record.

The concept of home security is important to most people. Many feel lost when it comes to choosing a home security system. Fortunately, everything you’ve read should help you to overcome these challenges.

Be sure your home is well lit on the outside. Thieves prefer to work in darkness. So it’s smart to put a light in typically darker corners around your home. All doors, porches, garages and windows should be well lit.