Keeping your home safe needs to be something that you take seriously, and you should not let it fall to the wayside. The problem is that you may lack focus. This article will be a huge help to you.

Be sure your home always looks occupied. Purchase timers for electronics, lights, radios and TVs so that they will turn on and off at varied intervals. In this way, it will always seem that someone is in your home. It is also another way to secure your home.

Compare different systems when looking into home security. Some companies offer comparable levels of protection that can be priced very differently. Be sure and get a minimum of three quotes from different companies prior to choosing one.

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. Put a key on the dog’s collar so you have access to it when necessary!

When placing your spare key outside for emergencies, give careful consideration to where you put it. Avoid cliched hiding places like over the door frame or beneath the doormat. Experienced criminals will check these places immediately. You could hide the key with your dog on the collar.

Change all of your locks when you move in. 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. Be sure to cal a locksmith if you were to lose your keys as well.

Don’t let any person you don’t completely know into your house. Remember that intruders have a lot of experience with tricking people. Some people will knock on your door simply to see whether you have a security system.

Provide the house key to your professional house cleaner, but only if you fully trust them. If you do give out a key to such individuals, be certain you know their reputation for honesty. Ask for references and check them thoroughly. If you’re hiring from a company, call the BBB for more information.

Be outgoing. Speak to your neighbors. Look out for their property, and see if they will look out for yours. Do not ignore gossip either. You may learn some great information about security, such as if any strangers have been hanging around.

Don’t post information about an upcoming vacation anywhere on the web. It’s natural to be excited about your trip, but this is as good as throwing out the welcome mat for people who know your home is unoccupied.

Changing your locks first can help make your home much more secure. Perhaps you aren’t sure who owned the home before you or maybe an old roommate has a key and never returned it. Regardless, changing the locks will ensure your security. Most locksmiths can accomplish the job within 24 hours.

Secure your garage. Lots of folks are concerned about burglars gaining access to the garage and then the home, but this can be addressed. If the garage door lifts via a track, you can use a C-clamp to stop your door from opening at the hands of intruders.

Make certain no one can see your valuable belongings through windows and doors. A big front window gives you a good view; however, it also gives burglars a good view of the interior of your house. Blinds are a great way to allow the light in, without allowing people to see in at the same time.

Always change the locks if you have someone move out of your home. Changing the locks will ensure that you are the only one who knows the combination. Most locksmiths can accomplish the job within 24 hours.

Rotted Wood

Find a home security company you can trust. If you are hesitant about the company, your gut feeling is especially important. You can decide to use a different company, or ask for a different person to install it. The point of that system is to feel safer after all.

If there is any rotted wood around your door frame, replace it. Rotten wood is easily removed and can give an intruder a way into your home. Keep your home secure by replacing rotted wood with fresh timber.

Walls can be a great hiding spot. If you need to protect expensive items in your home, put them inside the walls. Just open up an electrical outlet or a phone jack that is not in use. Installing a false unused plate is very easy to do if your home doesn’t have one.

Your flashlights should always be equipped with good, working batteries. Flashlights are very important, as they will give you the ability to move around in the event of an emergency. Make sure each member of your family knows where the flashlights are and how to operate them.

Always lock your home, regardless of how short your trip out is. It is more common than you would believe for a thief to find a home, try the door and walk right in when it’s unlocked. A thief can take plenty of valuables in minutes.

Criminals are much less likely to target your home if it’s well lit. They prefer not to be seen. When your home is lit well, the crooks have nowhere to hide, making it difficult for them to steal from you undetected. Keep your lights turned on during the night.

Are you aware of the value present in the wiring in your home? This is something few homeowners realize until they become victims of wiring theft. Copper is expensive and most wiring is composed of it, so stripping it is a great way for crooks to make a quick buck. Hide your wiring to secure it.

Before looking at home security systems, consider your personal security risks and safety needs. While alarm systems are great, they aren’t necessary for every family. In certain areas, it may be just as useful to learn self defense or buy a dog, whereas other places may require added measures. Learn about all of your options before choosing anything.

If the home you are moving into is not brand new, you should change the locks on all the doors. Even if you’ve gotten a key from the previous owner or tenant, there could still be a lot of people out there who have keys to your home. You might even purchase and install your own locks so that you are assured of having the only keys.

Wireless home security systems are becoming more popular. A wired system should be less expensive but you might have to spend your money on getting your home rewired. On the other hand, wireless systems use their own power and have easier installations.

Think about your specific needs and risks prior to investigating security 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 sure to assess the risk level you face before making big decisions.

Get a paper shredder. You’d be shocked at how many times thieves search trash looking for personal documents to see when you’re not home so that they can get into your home. If paper shredders don’t fit into your budget, you can manually rip up important documents yourself.

Think about getting a home security system that is wireless. Systems that are wired are cheaper, but they need unattractive wiring inside your home and may malfunction when you have a power outage. A wireless system is easy to install and to maintain. Besides, you will still be able to count on your wireless system in case of a power outage.

Dogs are among the most effective home burglary systems. Dogs will bark at the sign of trouble or intruders. It doesn’t need to be a huge dog either. As long as he is noisy when strangers approach, he’s a great addition to the security of your home.

Make sure the inside of your garage isn’t visible. Have your windows frosted so they aren’t as easy to see through. Also, don’t leave your door open for long periods of time when you work there.

Keeping people out of various areas of your home does not have to involve using multiple locks and keys. It is possible to have locks that require just codes, not keys. You can install them yourself, or you can have a home security service install them.

A dog is a great home security alarm. Usually, dogs protect their homes and when they sense something is wrong, they bark. You don’t even need a huge, vicious dog. Even the barking of a tiny dog can repel potential burglars, who want to avoid noises as they carry out their crimes.

When you aren’t home, make sure your windows are covered. Intruders can see into your home if they are left up. If a burglar sees something that is enticing, they are going to try and get it from your home. Keep them down when you’re asleep, too.

If you live with children or others whom who don’t want entering some parts of the house, keys and lock sets aren’t the only option. Instead, key-less key code locks can work just as well. You can have your home security company install it for you, or you can do it yourself.

You must make it a priority to keep your home safe for your well being and peace of mind. This is a universal truth. It may not be apparent at first until you study the subject. This article should have helped you start that.

Don’t put your key in an obvious hiding place. Everybody knows about fake rocks. Hiding a key under the doormat is even worse; this cliched tactic will fool no one. A better plan is to ask someone you trust to keep your extra key in case you need it. If you cannot do that, try to be creative when it comes to hiding places.