Just how much does home security matter to you? Can you afford a monitored security system? Do you wish there were cheaper solutions available to you? You can secure your home in an affordable manner. Read this article for helpful and cheaper security ideas.

Always make your house appear to be occupied. Have electronics and lights with timers and set them to go off at various times. In this way, it will always seem that someone is in your home. This is a simple way to give people up to no good think that you are home.

Your faithful dog makes a great hiding spot for 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. You could simply put a key onto your dog’s collar, so it is always handy.

A spare key must be carefully hidden and not in the obvious spots that a person might think. Too many people put their extra key under the mat in front of their door; burglars know to check there. A better place to keep your key is inside your outside dog’s collar.

If you have a stranger at your door, do not open it. People are coming up with all sorts of ways to convince people to open their door to them, with the intent of committing burglary or worse. Make it mandatory that doors in your home are only opened for expected visitors.

Turn off ringers on land line phones while you are on vacation. Intruders might be attracted by a phone that rings constantly without anyone picking up.

You need to be sure the attached garage of yours is secure. Intruders can enter your home through an unlocked garage door. However, you can use a C-clamp to help keep the door secure.

During summer, remove your landscape’s dead vegetation and wood. This sort of thing is a fire hazard in the heat of summer. To make sure your home is safer, clear your yard periodically.

Don’t open your door when strangers are knocking. People often think of ways to trick others into letting them in so they can steal from them. Make it a rule in your home that you only open your door to people who you were expecting.

Annual check-ups are important for alarm systems. Get a professional in to check it out. Many factors cause issues with security systems like nature and wild animals. You may not know there’s an issue if you can’t see it.

Use your walls as hiding spaces. You don’t have to cut pieces out of the walls. Most homes are pre-equipped with these handy spaces. How about unwiring your electric socket and using that as an area to stash your jewelry?

You need to be sure the attached garage of yours is secure. You can prevent this from happening easily. A C-clamp can prevent a garage door from even opening if the clamp is tightened on the door track near the roller.

Lock up your house every time you leave. Most break-ins and burglaries occur because a door is left open and an intruder just walks in. Thieves can steal a lot of valuable stuff in mere minutes.

Always get references from anyone you are considering hiring to do work inside your home. A background check which includes any criminal history is warranted. Avoid giving keys out to contractors, maids and repairmen.

Put up motion activated lighting. Lights like these will automatically turn on whenever someone is near them. This lets you know something is moving and also drives off criminals. Get in the habit of checking and replacing the bulbs as necessary to ensure the lights remain effective.

Motion Detectors

If you want to make your house even more secure, a cheap way to do that is to buy outside lights with motion detectors. In the evening, lights will help keep your home safe, and will add little in the way of extra expense. If strategically placed, motion detectors ensure that it’s difficult for intruders to break into your home sight unseen.

Meet with representatives from the security company you are considering to determine if they are trustworthy. This is very true when you feel uneasy about the person installing the system. Don’t hesitate asking for another technician or get another company. Security is supposed to give you peace of mind after all!

If you’re hiring a company for home security, be sure to read any fine print before you sign that contract. There are sometimes fees if you break a contract or need additional equipment. It is best to know all you can about a service you sign up for.

See how long the home security company has been around before you make any decisions. Companies that have been around for awhile show that they can provide reliable support. You get better peace of mind if you deal with someone you know you can trust for the long haul.

A secure hiding place can be created in a wall. Keep small, valuable items inside the walls of your home. Just use an unwired electric plug, light switch or phone box. You put in a fake plate if there aren’t any unused in your home.

Never enter your house if the door is open or something doesn’t feel right. The burglar may be on the premises. Instead, call 911 and report a possible break-in.

Think about a wireless security system for your home. While wired systems may seem cheaper, they need your home to be rewired and they can fail due to a power outage. The easy of installation and maintenance when it comes to wireless set-ups makes them the best bet.

Use the space in walls to store your prized possessions. You needn’t tear down your walls to do this. Find a place where there is already a hole to get in through. Why not take the guts out of an electrical socket you’re not using? You can convert it into a convenient and covert little wall safe.

Home security does depend on what exactly you can afford. While some options might seem rather expensive, there are always cheaper methods as well. This article has many tips you can use for your home security.s Not only will they provide you with the utmost protection, but they will also save you money.