Homeowners are often daunted by the topic of home security. However, this process can actually be done very easily and cheaply. You can find out how to go about it much cheaper and perhaps much better after reading this article.

Make your home look occupied at all times. Timers can be used to turn lights and televisions on and off when required. This will make it look like someone is home. This can be a terrific method of securing your home and keeping burglars at bay.

When you buy a new house, be sure the locks are changed. You will want to have a unique combination to stay secure. Changing the locks will give you peace of mind that you and your family are the only ones who have access to your home. This is also a good idea in the event that you misplace your keys.

Do you allow your dog to stay in your yard while you are away? Your dog is an excellent place to hide your spare key. Put the key on the dog’s collar. This is quite effective if your pet does not respond well to strangers.

Motion sensor lights on the exterior of your home is a great idea. These kinds of lights will pop right on when they detect motion near your home. This lets you know something is moving and also drives off criminals. Don’t forget to replace the bulbs when they burn out.

When looking to buy a security system, shop around. Every company offers different pricing. Get quotes from several companies before making a decision.

When installing your home security system, make sure to hide the wires. Exposed wires make it easy for an intruder to cut them and disable the alarm. Make it hard for intruders and bury the wires or hide them inside your walls, if possible. This will help to deter intruders that are looking to quickly disable your alarm system.

Hide your spare key in a place where no one would think to look for it. You don’t want to put them in common spots, such as above the frame of the door or under the doormat. One good place to hide a spare key is in the collar of a dog that does not take kindly to strangers.

Are you aware that your home’s wires are worth something? Most people are unaware of this fact until a burglar takes it from their house. The reason they are valuable is because of their copper. A burglar can easily strip off your wires from the outside of your home very quickly. This is why the wiring should be hidden or difficult to get to.

It is important to invest in building supplies that are as fire resistant as possible. This ensures your home won’t be a tinderbox. You can enhance home safety with excellent fire precautions.

Before allowing any security company reps to come into your home, make sure they have on a uniform and they have valid ID. Criminals can easily pretend to be from a security firm as a means to gain entry to the house. This could be quite dangerous. Be cautious to stay away from those potential dangers.

Turn the ringers off on all your phones if you will be away for a prolonged period of time. Intruders might be attracted by a phone that rings constantly without anyone picking up.

Add motion detector lighting to the exterior of your home for increased security. In the evening hours, this lighting can provide extra security and an economical way to light your front entrance way when you arrive. They also help to keep intruders away, because an intruder does not want to come close to your property if they know they might be spotted.

Don’t be shy. Talk to your neighbors. By knowing the people in your neighborhood, you can rest a little easier knowing that people are looking out for each other. Don’t disregard gossip either. You might actually learn a thing or two concerning people that have been hanging around.

If you’re hiring a company for home security, be sure to read any fine print before you sign that contract. There could be hidden costs if you were to quit your service prior to the expiration date of the contract, or you decide to add additional equipment later. These are costs you’ll want to avoid.

Rural areas are just as prone to break-ins as cities. There are differences between large cities and homes located in the countryside. You need to do some research on the areas where you live to get an idea of how frequent break ins are.

Keeping your home well lit at night can help keep the burglars away. Thieves don’t want to be visible. With a well-lit home, thieves cannot hide or break in unnoticed. That’s why it’s a good idea to light your home well for optimum safety.

Walls are the perfect place to hide. If you need to protect expensive items in your home, put them inside the walls. All you have to do is place them behind any unused phone jack, electrical outlet or switch plate. Even if every single plate in your home is being used, you can purchase a fake one purpose-built for concealing valuables.

Ask a home security company to come to your house and design a security system that is perfect for your needs. Every person has specific needs and wants when dealing with securing your family, home, and items. The right company will make you feel more safe and secure in your home.

Stashing your most precious possession right inside the walls of your home can be a great idea. This doesn’t necessarily involve chopping up your walls, either. You can find pre-cut areas in your walls that can be used. Perhaps you could deactivate a few unused electrical sockets to use as a place to store stuff.

Feel Safe

The number one thing you must do if you’re moving into a new place is have the locks changed. Though the prior occupant may have relinquished their keys, there may be copies out there. For maximum security, buy your own locks and install them yourself. This way you can be certain nobody else has a key.

Think about what you need to feel safe before considering security systems. Some systems might not be adaptable to your situation. In some situations, having a good dog and/or learning some self defense may be all that you really need to feel safe. Think about your risk factor when making a decision.

Before allowing someone into your house, be sure to carefully check their references. A background check is also recommended so you know if they have a criminal history. You can’t know for sure about the integrity of people you hire, and blindly giving them access to your home can be a huge mistake.

If you see that the door is open, do not enter the house. This is a delicate situation as the burglar might still be in your home. Instead, call the police to inform them of what happened, and wait on them.

Don’t allow your landscaping make it easier for burglars to break into your home. Doors and windows should not be obstructed by trees, plants or shrubs. If you have them visible, people can’t hide in those areas while they try to break in. Have your landscape several feet away from your house for better safety.

Empty Boxes

Be sure your home is well lit on the outside. Burglars like committing crimes in the darkness. Install a light in any area a potential intruder can get into your home. Some examples include first story windows, garages, doorways and porches.

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. Break down the empty boxes whenever possible.

Buy a paper shredder. Thieves can often be found looking through garbage cans in search of personal information found on bills and credit card slips. If paper shredders don’t fit into your budget, you can manually rip up important documents yourself.

A dog is a great home security alarm. They are protective of their home and owner and will alert you if someone is on your property. There is no need for a guard dog. Even tinier canines can ward off intruders with enough noise.

Never place empty boxes for expensive items out on the curb. If a burglar sees your empty box, he or she will know that valuable item is inside your house. That’s good motivation for a break-in. Cut the box up and hide the writing when you put it out.

Steer clear of locks with spring latches. These are the easiest for criminals to open with a credit card. All they have to do is wedge the card between the latch and door, then wiggle it. Add a deadbolt to doors with spring-latch locks.

If there are certain rooms you want to keep unoccupied, then you don’t want to keep track of all the keys and locks. You can instead get key-less locks that work using a code. You can install these locks yourself or have them professionally installed.

Avoid storing car registration in your glove compartment. These valuable documents provide criminals with information about your home location. You should make sure to keep them on you, or store them somewhere safe in your car. However, make sure you have them in case you were to get pulled over by the cops.

Keep your windows covered if you’re out. You don’t want potential intruders to be able to look inside. If something desirable is visible, you can expect a break in. You should also have them down when you are sleeping.

With these quality tips for home security, you can do a better job of securing your house. Start making changes around your home. You will quickly have a house that always feels safe no matter what time of day. You will soon be relaxed.

Ask if your company offers options to both buy and lease your security equipment. Buying equipment can be pricey upfront, but it’s a single cost versus a monthly cost. By leasing equipment, you can get the protection you want for less, but you may be paying for it over and over as time goes on. Compare both avenues to see which one is better suited for your needs.