Your home may be in danger and you may not even know it. You should not take any risks; instead, invest in a quality system. Read this article for some great tips on making your home a safe haven that will deter criminals from entering.

There are more features to a home alarm system besides making sounds when people break in. They can be programmed to alert the homeowner if a person enters the home. Parents riding herd on small children will be thankful for this feature which makes it harder for kids to sneak outside without supervision.

Is your dog outside even if you are away? You might consider leaving your spare key with your dog. You can attach your key to your dog’s collar in order to keep the key hidden. If your dog does not like strangers, this can help ensure consistent access to the house.

Use a safe to protect your valuables. If a burglar enters your home, he or she will have a hard time making off with your possessions. Keep the safe hidden in a hard-to-find location like an attic or a basement closet.

Some home security systems have additional security features besides sounding an alarm to deter a burglar. Many can be set for sounding their alarm if anyone enters. This is a good way to keep track of where your young children are.

Carefully consider where you hide your outside spare key. Intruders will think to look on the top if a door frame and under a doormat. Try hiding the key in your outside dog’s collar.

If you have a stranger at your door, do not open it. Burglars are getting creative, and they will do anything they can to gain access to your home. You should only open the door to people you were expecting.

Buy roofing, flooring and interior paneling that is flame resistant. This can help your home be safer. Keeping fire hazards away is a great safety precaution since fire can cause lots of destruction.

You need to secure your garage if it is attached to your home. Lots of people are afraid that burglars will be able to break into their garage, which will result in them breaking into the home. Thankfully, you can prevent this. If your garage lifts up on a track, try using a C-clamp. This will prevent your door from opening up if the clamp is close to its roller.

Request information from your local law enforcement agencies about home protection packages. Many police departments offer programs that can include home inspections, home security training and more. These programs can make a big difference to the security of your home, and they may just be a phone call away.

You should clean your yard of vegetation and dead wood. As it gets hotter, the chances of these igniting and putting your house at risk increase. Clear up your yard so it looks good and is safe.

When it comes to securing your home, start by changing your locks. 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. This doesn’t usually cost much, and it can be accomplished in less than a day.

Security System

When choosing a home security firm, trust your instincts. If the installers give you the heebie-jeebies, it’s not a good sign. You don’t want to refrain from choosing a different company or technician. Do some background research on the company you select, and look for people who make you feel safe.

Your home security system ought to be checked each year. Ask someone who works at the security company to do a maintenance check. A number of factors can cause problems with your security system, including wild animals and mother nature. You might not even discover these problems if they aren’t easily sighted.

Don’t allow the wires of your home security system to be visible to others. Burglars can easily cut the wires if they are visible. This is why it is so important to make sure all your wires are well hidden. You’ll be safer.

Be outgoing. Speak with your neighbors. Agree to watch each other’s homes while you are away. It does not necessarily pay to steer clear of gossip. You may hear valuable information regarding security, such as if any strangers have been hanging around.

Never throw out boxes for expensive items until the day your trash is picked up. They show the world you have money and lots of valuables inside.

Use motion sensor lights. These are lights that turn on whenever any living thing gets too close to your home. You will receive advance warning of any potential issues, and a would-be intruder will probably be scared off. Replace bulbs regularly and check the sensors once a month.

Before you let anyone go into your home, look at their references thoroughly. A background check is also recommended so you know if they have a criminal history. It is impossible to know if the newly hired maid or one time repairman might be a crook unless you check them out. Providing them with your key might be the biggest mistake you’ve ever made.

You can hide your valuable items inside your walls. This doesn’t necessarily involve chopping up your walls, either. Many areas in your house are already accessible for this purpose. For example, you could take the wiring out of an electric socket that is not in use and put your valuable jewelry in there.

You can find an excellent home security company with a simple Internet search. Review the websites of several companies and play close attention to the types of services offered and the customer reviews. After reading about these services, you can narrow down the results and use appointments for price comparisons.

When moving into a previously owned home, change the locks. Previous tenants may have given the keys back to the landlord, but it is always possible to make copies of keys. Find a reliable locksmith who can replace the locks or do it yourself.

Ask about the history of any home security company you are considering. Any business with multiple years of history has a proven record in being reliable. You get better peace of mind if you deal with someone you know you can trust for the long haul.

If you have your home brightly lit, burglars are likely to avoid it. Most burglars rely on concealment to approach a home. Thieves have a hard time stealing things when there are lots of lights around. Keep those lights shining brightly at night.

Consider installing a surveillance system for your home. Having visible or hidden cameras can help immensely. Visible cameras deter many intruders, but if they disable the cameras that they can see, your hidden camera can record the action. It is possible to use your cell phone to look at your surveillance camera, meaning you can see your house when you’re gone.

Consider all of your individual security needs before looking into any alarm systems. Some systems might not be adaptable to your situation. In some areas, a class on self defense or a guard dog might be more suitable, yet in others, an advanced home security system will fit the bill. Be aware of your risks to make an intelligent purchasing decisions.

Could burglars see inside your garage? Make sure that they can’t! Frosted windows prevent thieves from looking into your home and are inexpensive. It’s also a good idea to avoid leaving your garage door open for any longer than absolutely necessary, even if you’re at home.

Your precious pooch is one of your best home security weapons. Dogs can be extremely protective of their space and are great at barking when something is afoot. It doesn’t need to be a huge dog either. Any size dog will drive criminals away, as the barking will be too much noise for them to be stealthy.

Can you read your house numbers clearly from the street? Make sure they are large in case emergency personnel need to find your house. Thankfully if you notice a problem it’s an easy and cheap thing to fix.

If you’ve got guests that you don’t want in particular areas of the home, close the area off so it is not accessible. There are locks that use a code for entry, rather than a key. You can install these locks yourself or have them professionally installed.

Find out more about the different contracts your security company offers. There are advantages and disadvantages to each. Longer agreements may cost less per month, but you may not be able to get out of the contract if you need to. A short contract may seem more expensive each month, but you have more freedom.

Criminals can be unpredictable, so it’s difficult to tell whether your residence may be a burglar’s target. Take the necessary steps to keep your home safe instead of thinking you have it made. Keep these tips in mind when researching more about protecting your home from crime.

Don’t get spring latch locks. These locks are very easy to pick with something as common as a credit card. Intruders simply use a credit card inside the latch, making the lock open. A deadbolt should be added for security purposes if you have locks that are spring latch.