Do you wish to purchase a security system for your home? Many people buy one without comparing other companies. Small precautions, like locking your windows, can reap big rewards in terms of home safety and may meet your security needs.

Man’s best friend can also be trusted to secure a spare key. Outdoor dogs or pet doors make this possible. Attach the spare key to your dog’s collar. By doing this, you have a handy spare key whenever you need it.

Consider using your dog as a place to store your spare key. This approach is useful if your dog is a large breed that lives outdoor, or if your house has a doggy door. Just hide a spare house key on the inside of your dog’s collar. Then when you need an extra key, you will be able to access this one.

Is your ceiling resistant to fire? What about your flooring or roofing? This will help you protect your home under all circumstances. Preventing a fire is important since it can cause a lot of damage.

Provide the house key to your professional house cleaner, but only if you fully trust them. If you do give out a key to such individuals, be certain you know their reputation for honesty. Do a background check on them. If the house cleaner is employed by a company, check with the BBB of your area to determine their reputation.

You should mute your land line phone if you are going on a vacation. A phone which rings forever is a sign to burglars that you’re not there.

Does your dog stay outside while you are gone? You could let your dog carry a spare key. Secure the key on the inside of the dog’s collar. This is quite effective if your pet does not respond well to strangers.

Never allow str4angers to enter your house. Be wary of those who come to your door selling products, asking for help, or telling sob stories. Some people may simply be trying to determine whether or not you have a home security installed; if you don’t, they may plan to return later if you are away from your home.

When looking for a system to secure your home, do comparison shopping. Most companies have different price schemes for the the same general level of protection. Make sure to obtain quotes from a minimum of three companies prior to deciding on a final one.

Determine what sort of home protection services or programs the local police department has to offer. There are lots of different programs, like home inspections, that will help you take the proper steps to make sure your home adequately protected. If your police department does not offer these programs, find a private security company.

Ask your friends for advice before you choose a home security system or company. You can learn a lot from people who have already dealt with these companies. Ask around so that you can have the advice that you need to make a good choice.

You need to go with your gut instinct when it comes to negotiating and dealing with a home security installation company. This is particularly true if you’re uneasy with those that install your actual system. If you don’t feel comfortable, go with someone else. Security is supposed to give you peace of mind after all!

Make sure to clear your yard of brush and dead wood in the summertime. This sort of thing is a fire hazard in the heat of summer. Clear up your yard so it looks good and is safe.

If your home has skylights, don’t neglect to secure them. Although skylights provide your home with a lot of light, it is also very helpful for burglars to break in. Any skylights in your home should be secured with strong hardware.

Those living in rural areas often don’t worry as much about intruders compared to city dwellers. The risk is still there, so a home security system is vital. Not everyone believes this, though.

It is important that your alarm system wiring is not exposed anywhere. You don’t want a burglar to get access to them and disable your system. To provide maximum security, wiring should be laid underground or installed safely within the walls of your house. You will be much safer.

Don’t forget about the skylights when securing your home. Skylights are great for making a home brighter, but they can make it easier for burglars to access the house. Skylights need to be installed correctly and safely, with hardware that will keep intruders out.

Are you aware of the value contained in your home’s wiring? Some intruders could strip your home of every bit of copper. Wiring can be removed from the outside of a home in a heartbeat. Be sure that you keep all your wiring hidden and make it hard to access.

Always get references from anyone you are considering hiring to do work inside your home. Conduct background checks if necessary. You never really know if you can trust a service person, and giving access to the wrong one can prove disastrous.

Replace rotten wood on your door frame. Anyone hoping to enter your home can very easily do so by just prying away the rotted wood. Therefore, replace rotted wood with fresh wood to ensure your home’s safety.

To increase your home’s security, buy some outdoor lights that are motion activated. These lights provide extra light for your home and are very cost efficient. This is a great way to deter prowlers and potential intruders at night.

If you want to make your house even more secure, a cheap way to do that is to buy outside lights with motion detectors. These lights illuminate your home during the night. As an added bonus, they are affordable and quite efficient. Whenever you properly position these lights, they will make it almost impossible for burglars to sneak in.

Think about safety when designing your home. Your doors and windows should not be obstructed by shrubs or fences. If they can be seen, people will not hide there and attempt a break-in. If you want to have a garden around your home, keep trees and shrubs away from your house.

Ask your security provider about their history in the business. A reliable home security company is one that has a long history in the community and can offer references from satisfied customers. You’ll find it a lot easier to put your faith in the professionals if you take the time to verify their trustworthiness.

For maximum safety, your home needs bright exterior lighting. Thieves prefer to work in darkness. So it’s smart to put a light in typically darker corners around your home. This can include garages, doorways, porches, and even near any windows on the ground floor.

Request that prospective security firms design a system specifically for your home. Every family is different, and so your security needs will be unique. By locating the company that will create the best plan for you, you will be assured you are receiving the best possible home security.

If you buy a new, expensive electronic, such as a television or computer, do not leave the empty boxes on your curb. If thieves see these type of boxes outside your home, they may want to break in to steal the items. Break down the box, and take it to the local recycling center.

Wireless home security systems are becoming more popular. A wired system might cost less, but they can require extensive rewiring work and may be rendered useless if the power fails. Wireless systems are much more simple to install and upkeep, and the power inside your home will not affect them.

Find out about the various lengths of contracts your chosen home security company has on offer. They probably each have their pluses and negatives. 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.

See if your firm gives you the choice of leasing and/or buying security equipment. Buying will cost you more initially for the equipment, but will save you a monthly bill. The initial cost of leasing may seem low, but you may be required to sign a long term contract and it may carry a higher monthly fee. Think about both options before making a decision.

You might need a security system. You may need to begin doing some things differently in your home. Research all options thoroughly to make an informed choice.

Always keep valuables you can’t replace secure. Items such as family photos, passports, legal documents, expensive jewelry and financial records need to be placed at a secure location. Floor safes make for great places to hide such items. A better idea could be to store these inside a box outside of your house.