Something tragic or bad could happen to you when you do not expect it. You should not take any risks; instead, invest in a quality system. The article below contains tips and tricks to help you create a secure environment for yourself and your family.

You can hide your spare key on your dog. However, this method is only effective if your dog is large, scary, and stays outdoors. Simply attach a spare key to your dog’s collar (in a secure and non-visible place, of course) so that you’ll be able to retrieve it if you need it.

Does your dog remain outside while you’re gone? She or he is actually a good place to keep the spare key. Hook your key to the dog’s collar in a place that is shielded from view. Especially if pets don’t like strangers, this can be a useful way for having easy access to your house.

Carefully consider where you hide your outside spare key. Never put a spare key under a doormat or above a door jam. A better place to keep your key is inside your outside dog’s collar.

Eliminate dead vegetation and rotting wood from the yard each summer. These can be fire hazards and can cause damage to your home. To make sure your home is safer, clear your yard periodically.

Talk to people you know about their security systems. Your friends have gone through both bad and good experiences and they will be able to share them with you. Make sure to ask neighbors for advice too.

Remember to have an annual inspection of your home security system. A security professional should visit to help with the testing process. There are many things that can reduce the quality of your system. If it’s not visible, you might not even know there’s a problem.

Before doing anything else, install new locks in your home. 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. It is generally cheap and may be done in a little under a day.

Install motion-sensor lights. When a person approaches your home, the lights will blaze. They will notify you of any movement and can deter any possible burglars since they like remaining inconspicuous. Get in the habit of checking and replacing the bulbs as necessary to ensure the lights remain effective.

If you purchase big-ticket items, don’t throw their boxes in the trash before trash day. They show the world you have money and lots of valuables inside.

People who live rurally often don’t think about home security. Some people feel that rural residents lead riskier lives because they are far away from neighbors. Others think that rural places have less of a chance of being targets for burglars.

Are you aware that your home’s wires are worth something? Some intruders could strip your home of every bit of copper. Copper wiring is very valuable and susceptible to being stripped from the outside of your home. Keep your wiring hidden or inaccessible to potential burglars.

Never place a spare key in a plant box or under your welcome mat. These are the first places criminals will look when they try to enter your home. Rest assured, thieves have a good idea about these hiding places. Rather, give your key to a neighbor you find trustworthy.

Your first priority when you move to an apartment or house where others have lived in before is to replace all the locks. Even though the previous tenant may have turned in their key, you never know if they have a copy. You can change the locks yourself if you’re feeling really industrious.

If you’ve bought large or pricy items, avoid throwing out boxes until the day the trash is scheduled for pick-up. Having these type of boxes hanging around will give robbers a good idea of what type of merchandise you have inside of your home.

When you landscape your house, make it safe. Do not obstruct doors and windows with plants or furniture. This way, no one can hide there if they are attempting to break into your house. Put these features at a greater distance from your house; let beauty also complement safety.

You should change all the locks if you just bought or rented a new home. As nice as the previous person may seem, you don’t really know them. Also, there have likely been other owners of the home, and you don’t know them either.

Invite a security company to come to your house and figure out a system that will work for you. Every family is different, and so your security needs will be unique. If you find a company that will tailor the plan you choose to your needs, you can get the highest level of security that makes you feel comfortable.

Your first priority when you move to an apartment or house where others have lived in before is to replace all the locks. Even though the previous tenant may have turned in their key, you never know if they have a copy. It is possible to purchase and put in locks on your own so you can be assured you have the only keys.

Make sure the outside of the house is well lit. Criminals like to blend into the shadows, so do your best not to provide too many for them. Light up the dark spots around your home. This means by the garage, in the doorways, around windows and much more.

Prior to allowing access to anyone, make sure you are shown proper identification. A background check may also be a good idea. Avoid giving keys out to contractors, maids and repairmen.

Never enter your home if you arrive and find the door open. This is very dangerous due to the fact that the thief can still be inside your property. It is best to call the police right away and go to a safe place until the police check your home.

Ask the home security companies to visit your home and design a system tailored to your needs. Every homeowner has specific needs for their home and their family. When you choose a company that pays close attention to detail in creating your home security plan, you will feel very secure.

Consider purchasing a wireless security system for your home. These systems are much more efficient and can save you time and hassle. Wireless systems are much more simple to install and upkeep, and the power inside your home will not affect them.

Put a surveillance system in your home. Adding video cameras on the property can be a good idea. Visible cameras can scare intruders, and hidden ones can catch them in the act. A lot of surveillance systems are accessible using your cell phone, so you can monitor your home while you are out of town.

Dogs are an excellent way to protect your home. Dogs will bark at the sign of trouble or intruders. A dog with a vicious attitude and large size isn’t necessary. Small dogs also have the ability to scare away burglars who definitely don’t want lots of ruckus when they appear.

Empty Boxes

If you live alone or with other responsible adults, there is no need to lock off areas of your home to prevent access. Use a code-access lock for any door you don’t want others opening. Either you can install them or home security companies can.

Don’t leave empty boxes for big-ticket purchases outside on your curb. If the burglars see the empty boxes, then they will realize you have the items in your home. As a result, they’ll be more likely to break in so they can steal it. You should cut up the boxes once you empty them.

If you’ve got a keypad to lock your door, do not make a password which is obvious. Anyone can get personal information online which they can use to access your home. Use a random number instead.

Discuss various contracts offered by any home security provider you are exploring. Each probably has its own set of positives and negatives. A long term contract should have a lower monthly rate but it also requires you to commit for a long period of time. Shorter contracts offer greater freedom, but may be more expensive each month.

Hard-wired home security systems can help you to cut down on costs. Systems that are wireless are convenient, but the batteries required can be cumbersome. If you do forget to have them changed, the system will not work right. What you spend on batteries, additionally, can really add up!

Try to stay away from spring latch locks. Defeating a spring latch lock is a trivial endeavor; experienced burglars can get through one using nothing more than a credit card. All they have to do is wedge the card between the latch and door, then wiggle it. Add a deadbolt if you do not want to replace your spring latch locks.

If you have valuable items that cannot be replaced, you must keep them under lock and key. Items such as family photos, passports, legal documents, expensive jewelry and financial records need to be placed at a secure location. Floor safes are excellent locations for keeping these particular items safe inside your home. An even better idea is to store them in a safe deposit box outside the home.

Talk to your home-security company to see if they provide buy and lease options for your equipment. Buying outright costs a lot more in the beginning, but one time costs might lower or eliminate some monthly fees that add up over time. The cost of leasing is lower at first but adds up over time. It is worthwhile checking out both possibilities before you decide on which is best.

Ask your security company if they offer motion sensitive lighting. This system will cause the lights to flicker on when someone walks up to your home. Therefore, if a burglar approaches, you will know.

There is no telling when an intruder may break into your home. Don’t take a chance of a burglar invading your home. Do what is necessary to make it secure. You want to keep learning more about home security to keep your home safe.

Women are targeted for robbery more often, particularly if they have children or they live alone. Set out oversized muddy boots on the front step to make it look like a large and active man lives there. Criminals will think twice before breaching your security.