If you’re a single female or mother that lives alone and you don’t feel like you can defend yourself physically, the topic of home security may be a large issue for you. Rather than living in fear, there are many things you can do to improve things. Read all of these home security tips.

Buy a safe. You can’t have your valuable personal items and jewelry out in the open for anyone to see. Your safe should be placed somewhere it is not readily noticeable.

Create the illusion that your home is constantly occupied. Buy timers so that lights, radios, TVs and all other electronics turn on and off at various times. This gives off the appearance that someone is home. This is just one of the many precautions you can take to secure your home.

If you like to have a key hidden in case you lose yours, place it in a safe place. Too many people put their extra key under the mat in front of their door; burglars know to check there. You should hide it in your dog’s collar.

Do you have a dog that stays in your yard when you’re not at home? Your pet might just be the perfect place to stash a spare key to your home. Hook your key to the dog’s collar in a place that is shielded from view. Especially if your dog is not very friendly, this will help keep your key safe.

Buy fire resistant flooring, roofing and ceiling. Having your home built with fire resistant materials will help safeguard your home in case it catches fire. Lowering or eliminating the risk of a fire is an extremely important home security strategy because a fire can cause extreme destruction very quickly.

If you like to have a key hidden in case you lose yours, place it in a safe place. Above doors or under doormats are much too common to hide them and potential criminals will check them first. A better place to keep your key is inside your outside dog’s collar.

Shut off phone ringers inside the home if you’re going to be gone for quite a while. When burglars hear phones ringing for an extended period of time in a home, they know that there is no one there to answer.

Avoid being shy. Speak with your neighbors and friends in the area. By knowing the people in your neighborhood, you can rest a little easier knowing that people are looking out for each other. Don’t ignore any gossip either. You can learn of important security information, including if strangers have been lurking.

Don’t open your door when strangers are knocking. There are many different tactics that crooks use to enter homes, and a common way is simply to walk up to the door and ask for help. Create the rule that you just open a door to people that you expect to arrive.

Motion-sensor lights can alert you of a robbery before it even happens. They will illuminate your property if they sense any movement near your home. These lights will not only let you know when someone gets too close, they will also stop potential burglars from breaking in. After all, burglars don’t want anyone to know they are there. Remember that the bulbs need to be changed so that the lights keep working.

Whenever you are selecting a home security company, make sure you go with your gut feelings. If you don’t feel comfortable with the technician, don’t allow them access to your home. There is nothing wrong with asking for a different technician if you’re uneasy. You want the system to make you feel like you’re more comfortable.

When dealing with a company installing your home security system, it is important that you trust your gut. This is especially important when it comes to the company employees who will be installing your system. If you don’t feel comfortable, go with someone else. The system and the company should put your mind at ease.

Be sure your expensive belongings are not visible from the home’s exterior. Large windows let in a lot of light, but they also allow outsiders to see inside your living space. Windows facing the street need to be covered to keep inside possessions safe.

Walls can serve as a handy hiding place. If you own small valuables that require protection, try hiding them in the walls. All you have to do is place them behind any unused phone jack, electrical outlet or switch plate. Anything not used currently makes a good spot for hiding.

Always lock your doors, even if you are just walking down the street. It might shock you to learn that most break-ins occur due to unlocked doors. It won’t take long for thieves to steal lots of expensive valuables.

If you have purchased any large and/or expensive items, do not throw the boxes away until the day before the trash man is scheduled to come. These boxes sitting outside your home serve as a flag for thieves to target your home.

Do not choose a home alarm system that monitors only your doors. The best systems are those that cover windows as well. The alarm and monitoring system should be set for all windows and doors. This is just one more thing you can do to protect your home.

If you are seeking home safety ideas that are simple and inexpensive, you should buy outdoor lights with motion sensors. These lights not only give off light at night, but can also offer security around your home. By carefully placing them around the outside of your property, you create a perimeter that cannot be breached.

Hide your security system’s wiring. You don’t want a burglar to get access to them and disable your system. Make it hard for a burglar to avoid your detection. This will add security.

Think about a wireless security system for your home. Wired systems may be cheaper, however it usually means you’ll have to rewire your home, and your system may get finicky in the event of a power outage. Wireless systems don’t need your home’s power in order to properly work. In addition, they can be usually be installed and maintained easier.

Your door frame should be replaced if the wood around it is rotting. 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.

Visible Cameras

When you hire a type of home security company, read the contract’s fine print before signing. There may be hidden expenses involved if you terminate service before the contract term is up, and there may be added equipment fees. Avoid as many fees as you can by reading everything.

Put in a surveillance system. A wonderful way to make your home safer is by putting in hidden or visible cameras. Intruders can be deterred to visible cameras, but hidden cameras are better if criminals damage the other cameras. There are surveillance systems that you can access and check by cell phone.

Ask a home security company to come to your house and design a security system that is perfect for your needs. Each situation is different. When you choose a company that pays close attention to detail in creating your home security plan, you will feel very secure.

When you will be away from home, keep the curtains and blinds shut. By failing to do so, you are granting a prime view of your house and your belongings. If they notice this, they may break in. You should keep them closed while you are asleep.

Equip your home with a system designed for home surveillance. Installing hidden and visible video cameras is great for securing a home. A visible video camera acts as a warning to an intruder. If the intruder disables the visible camera, the hidden camera will document it! You can often view these feeds over the Internet, too.

You don’t have to spend a lot of money to safeguard your home. There are more cost effective methods of deterring criminals. Keep this information in mind if you want your home to feel safer.

If you have kids or roommates that you don’t want in certain household areas, it’s not necessary to lock multiple doors and tote around tons of keys. There are locks that use a code for entry, rather than a key. These may be installed by yourself or a security company.