There are lots of customers for home security these days. People break into homes every day. Homes that seem to be easy marks are targets for burglars. In this article we will discuss simple methods to prevent your home from being targeted for a burglary.

Your faithful dog makes a great hiding spot for a spare key. This approach is useful if your dog is a large breed that lives outdoor, or if your house has a doggy door. You could simply put a key onto your dog’s collar, so it is always handy.

Change the locks after buying a new house. You’re not aware of any copies that have been made by the previous owners of the house. Call a locksmith to make sure you’re the only one with access to your home. Do the same thing if you happen to misplace a key.

Once you buy a house, switch out the locks. You don’t know the exact number of copies of that key the previous owners have or have handed out. Hire a locksmith so that you can be sure you are the only person who can access your home. This is also a good idea in the event that you misplace your keys.

Let a house cleaner have your keys only if they can provide you with references so you can verify their trustworthiness. Make sure they are honest, reputable and hardworking. It is best to do a reference check on them. If it is a known company, check with your local BBB.

Check around for prices, reputation, and reliability when choosing a home security provider. Prices can differ a lot among companies for the same type of protection. Get a quote from several companies before making a final decision.

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. This is a good way to know if your small child has opened a door or closed it.

Use a safe to protect your valuables. This is essential, because you would never want valuable jewelry and other items to be seen by intruders. Conceal the safe in an out-of-the-way and not easily accessible spot, such as an attic or a basement area.

A spare key must be carefully hidden and not in the obvious spots that a person might think. Intruders will think to look on the top if a door frame and under a doormat. An example would be to attach a key to your dog’s collar, if he stays outdoors.

When in the process of purchasing a home-security system, be sure to comparison shop. Different companies can provide equivalent levels of service and security, but their prices can vary wildly. Ensure you talk to a minimum of three companies to obtain quotes before deciding the one that you believe is best for you.

It can be a good idea to only leave one ringer on in your home when you are away. A constantly ringing phone can signal to a burglar that the house is vacant, making it an easy target for their criminal activities.

If you will be vacationing for an extended period of time, turn off the ringer on all the phones in your house. If your phone is ringing while you are out, burglars will realize that no one is home, making your home very vulnerable to an attack during your time away.

Don’t open up your door for someone who is a stranger. People often think of ways to trick others into letting them in so they can steal from them. Make it mandatory that doors in your home are only opened for expected visitors.

See if your area police department has any home security programs. They may offer neighborhood watch programs, home inspections, engraving tools for marking code numbers onto items so that they will be easily identified if stolen. Discuss these programs with a local police officer to see if they’re available in your area.

If you have a stranger at your door, do not open it. Burglars have many clever ways to convince householders to open the door. Make it a habit to only open your home’s door to people you were expecting.

Those that live in rural area are not as concerned about having their home invaded as those who are located in the city. People who live in the country may even be more vulnerable because they do not have nearby neighbors. Then again, others think rural areas are not as much of a target.

Don’t ever put your spare key under your doormat or in a planter. You might think this protects you against being locked out of your home, but it also gives intruders access to your home. Thieves are familiar with these hiding spots. Rather, give your key to a neighbor you find trustworthy.

If you have a garage, increase your home security by using it to house your car, rather than just for storage. Having the car in the garage will prevent it from getting broken into or stolen. This can also keep people from knowing your schedule.

It is important that your valuables are not visible from anywhere outside your house. It may be great to have large windows with a view, but this means that people can look in. You always want to make sure you keep your valuables covered if they are by a window.

Purchase flashlights that have good batteries, and keep them in every room in your home in case the power goes out. Having these in an easy to find place will allow you to see in the dark much quicker. Teach everyone in your home to use the flashlights so all family members can see and help each other.

Install lights that use a motion-sensor. These lights will come on if someone walks near your house. This lets you know something is moving and also drives off criminals. Make sure you regularly change the light bulbs to ensure they continue to work properly.

A wireless home security system could be just the option you are looking for. Although wired systems are usually more affordable, they usually involve changing out the wires of your home. As a result, if a power outage occurs, these wires will probably not be effective. The easy of installation and maintenance when it comes to wireless set-ups makes them the best bet.

A paper shredder can be a good security investment. Thieves often look through garbage, trying to find credit card information or other important documents. If you can not afford to purchase a paper shredder, just rip the paper into smaller pieces.

Trust your instincts when it comes to hiring a home security company. This is definitely the case if you’re not quite sure about the actual installation people. Don’t hesitate asking for another technician or get another company. After all, you’re investing in a system that helps you to feel safe, so make sure the process involved in obtaining that system does the same.

Your family will kept safe if your home is properly secured. Nobody actually plans to be robbed. What you’ve read here will help you to prepare. This should be done as soon as possible. Take action and find a good home security system as soon as possible.