Home security has a large market now. Burglaries happen everyday no matter where you live. If your home appears like it’s not well secured, you can bet that a burglar has their eye on it. If keeping your house safe is a priority, reading this piece is a must.

Think very carefully about where to hide your spare key. Avoid cliched hiding places like over the door frame or beneath the doormat. Experienced criminals will check these places immediately. A possible solution is to attach a key to your outdoor dog’s collar.

Don’t just hide your spare key anywhere. Above doors or under doormats are much too common to hide them and potential criminals will check them first. Try hiding your key on a lawn statue or in a potted plant.

Talk to people you know for referrals when choosing home security systems. Others have likely had both good and bad experiences that they can share with you that can then save you a lot of stress and time. Taking a little time to listen can make you a much better decision maker when it comes to home security.

Do not invite strangers into your home. Even if the person has a compelling story, needs help or has something to sell, they should not be given access. These people might want to actually do you harm or could be casing out your house for a future break-in.

Talk to people you know about their security systems. They may have had experiences with certain companies and can lead you in the right direction. Ask around so that you can have the advice that you need to make a good choice.

Remove old plants and debris from your yard. As the summer heat rolls in, there is a higher chance that these can catch on fire, putting your home at risk. Keep these cleared away regularly to maintain your home’s safety and to keep it in good shape.

Have lights that sense motion. 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. Just remember that you must change the bulbs often in order to keep the lights working in order.

Turn the ringers off on all your phones if you will be away for a prolonged period of time. A home phone that rings and rings is a good way for a potential thief to know if anyone is home.

Your risks of being the target of home intruders really doesn’t depend on the area in which you live. Others think that living in the country is more risky than other areas because houses are so far apart. Some people think burglaries are less prevalent in rural parts.

Walls are great for hiding things. Keep small, valuable items inside the walls of your home. Place them in switch plates, phone jacks or an electric outlet. If you have no unused plates, you can put in a fake one.

Keep your car in your garage. Keeping your car secured will prevent people from vandalizing it. Hiding the car from plain sight can keep possible intruders from figuring out when you’re home and also when you are not.

Always lock your house, no matter how briefly you expect to be gone. Most burglars gain entry to a home through an unlocked door. A burglar can steal a lot of expensive stuff in a short amount of time.

Purchase an alarm system that has a few “bells and whistles;” you don’t just need protection for your doors. Your windows are easy entry points for crooks too. Be certain they are also alarmed and monitored. This is a way to make sure your family will be safe.

Listen to your intuition as to whether your system is being installed by a trustworthy home security company. This goes for the installer, too. If you don’t feel comfortable, go with someone else. You want the system to make you feel like you’re more comfortable.

You and your loved ones deserve to live in a safe and secure home. Crimes can occur at any time. Remember these tips and create a home security system. Take action now. Get to work today!