Do you know anything about installing home security systems? You need to educate yourself so you can make an informed decision when setting up your home security system. Keep reading, because it’s a costly investment for the safety of you and your loved ones.

Your dog can actually safeguard a spare key. Of course, your dog has to be an outdoor dog (or you at least need to have a doggy door) for this to work. Simply affix a spare key to the collar of the animal. You’ll always have a backup plan if you lose your key!

Change the locks after buying a new house. You don’t know how many keys have been handed out previously. Get a locksmith in right away. This is also a good idea in the event that you misplace your keys.

Is your dog kept outside when you are away? They can help you with your spare key. Attach your key to your dog’s collar, ensuring that it can’t be seen. If you have a pet that does not trust strangers, this can help you get into your house if needed.

Only provide your house cleaner with a key if you trust him or her implicitly. You need to ensure that they are honest and reputable according to references before you have handed over the key. One way to do this is to check their references. If you hire a cleaner who works for a company, speak with your local BBB about the company’s reliability.

A home security system has other features in addition to sounding an alarm when there is a break-in. Most systems can be set to sound an alert when anyone enters the home. Parents of children can track their kids this way.

Be more proactive when you are determining the safety of your neighborhood. Be friendly with people that live in the neighborhood. Ask them to watch your home if you are on vacation. Never neglect gossip. It is often a good way to find out about security issues, such as strangers in the neighborhood.

Carefully consider where you hide your outside spare key. Doormats and door frames are predictable places that burglars will always check. One idea is to hide your key inside the collar of your outdoor dog.

Install motion-sensor lights. These lights will come on if someone walks near your house. This lets you know something is moving and also drives off criminals. Don’t forget to replace the bulbs when they burn out.

You should regularly check your home security system, regardless of how reliable you believe it is. This should be performed by a technician from your security company. The weather and animals are two things that may cause havoc on your home’s security system. You might be unaware of problems that arise in some cases.

Go with your instincts when choosing a security system company. If you are hesitant about the company, your gut feeling is especially important. Ask the company to send a different installer or simply change companies. You want the system to make you feel like you’re more comfortable.

Trust your instincts when it comes to hiring a home security company. This is especially true if you are uneasy with those who are installing the actual system. Make sure that the installer has experience installing your type of security system. Security is supposed to give you peace of mind after all!

Make sure that your valuables cannot be seen from outside the home. Open curtains allow people to see inside your home and see exactly what you have. Make sure you keep your blinds closed or arrange your possessions in such a way that they can’t be seen from outside.

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. Keep in mind that other families might have lived with them, too.

While choosing your alarm system, ask about protection for windows and motion detection as well as doors. Windows are a way for thieves to enter your home as well. Attach the alarm to each window and ask for monitoring for them. This is just one more thing you can do to protect your home.

There is a lot of value in copper wiring. The majority of people aren’t aware of this fact until a burglar steals these wires. A skilled intruder could remove all the copper from your home within less than an hour. That’s why it’s important to hide your wiring, or make it hard for criminals to have access to it.

What are your feelings about home security possibilities now that you’ve read this? This added knowledge will help you make a better decision when choosing a system. Keep this article handy so you can refer to this information as you shop.

Keep a flashlight with good batteries in every room of your home, just in case you lose power. If the lights go out, they will ensure everyone stays safe. If you have kids, teach them how to properly use the flashlights so everyone in the family can help out during a power outage.