After all, your house should be the place where your family is the safest. Upon going out, they must feel secure and safe when returning. The article below is a compilation of tips that can be used to keep your home secure.

Does your dog like to play in your yard? Using Fido to hide your spare key can be a clever trick. Attach the key inside their collar and make sure it can’t be seen. This is especially useful if the dog does not take kindly to strangers.

You can hide your spare key on your dog. But, this is only effective if your home has a pet door or your dog stays outdoors when you are not home. Store a spare key within your dogs collar so you always have access to your home.

Home security systems offer other triggering features besides having an alarm sound. Many systems sound an alert whenever people enter the house. This is a good way to keep track of where your young children are.

Make sure that you change the locks once you’ve taken possession of the house. There is no way to ascertain how many keys the previous owner handed out. To ensure that you are the only one who has access to your house, call a locksmith. Also, you can contact a locksmith if you ever misplace your keys.

Be sure to keep your car in your garage rather than filling your garage with stored belongings. In this way, your car will be safer. Keeping your car secured will prevent people from vandalizing it. Storing your car in the garage will also make it difficult for anyone casing your home to figure out when no one is going to be there.

Do you have a dog that stays in your yard when you’re not at home? This is where you can put your spare key. Hook your key to the dog’s collar in a place that is shielded from view. If your dog is suspicious of strangers, you have found a good hiding place for your key.

Have lights that are motion-sensor installed. These lights will come on if someone walks near your home. You will be alerted when there is activity outside, and any potential burglars will be deterred because they do not want to be seen. Make sure you keep fresh light bulbs in your motion activated lights so that they will work correctly.

Purchase ceiling, flooring and roofing that is fire resistant. This will make your home more safe, especially if you are in a dry climate that has many power lines. Lowering or eliminating the risk of a fire is an extremely important home security strategy because a fire can cause extreme destruction very quickly.

Listen to your intuition as to whether your system is being installed by a trustworthy home security company. If you don’t feel comfortable with the technician, don’t allow them access to your home. Do not hesitate to ask for a different person to install the system or even consider hiring a different company. Security is supposed to give you peace of mind after all!

Ask your friends for advice before you choose a home security system or company. You can benefit from the experience of others that have gone before you by paying attention to their recommendations and warnings. Make broad inquiries so that you are able to make a well-informed decision.

Use the space in walls to store your prized possessions. It is unnecessary cut space into your wall. There are many places in your home that are pre-cut and available. Perhaps you can use an old electricity socket as a place to hide your valuables.

Turn the ringers off on all your phones if you will be away for a prolonged period of time. 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.

If you install a security system, make certain to hide the wires well. A burglar can easily cut and disconnect wires that are left visible. Do not make things simple for a burglar, but rather bury all wires or hide them in the wall. This makes it much less likely that your system will be compromised.

If you do not know the person at your door, don’t open it. Nowadays, people invent many stories of why they should come in. For instance, they may say they need to call a mechanic or the police. However, their true intent is to rob you. Make it a habit to only open your home’s door to people you were expecting.

Be sure to replace all of the old locks as soon as you move into a new domicile. Though you may not suspect that the seller is up to something, you still need to be careful. Bear in mind that other people may have lived in the home before the previous owner.

Annual check-ups are important for alarm systems. Get a professional in to check it out. The weather and animals are two things that may cause havoc on your home’s security system. You may not even know there is a problem if it is not visible.

Before signing up for a particular home-security company, find out how long they’ve been around. Look for a security company that is well-established and has extensive experience in the industry. It’s good to know that the company won’t disappear overnight and leave your home unprotected.

You need to go with your gut instinct when it comes to negotiating and dealing with a home security installation company. This is doubly true when you feel unease about the installers. Never be afraid to ask for a new installer or to get an entirely new firm. Remember that every aspect of your home security system should support you in feeling more secure.

Light up your home’s exterior. Nothing is as attractive to a burglar as a dark, deeply-shadowed house. Motion sensor lights can work great because they can also alert you when someone does come onto the property. Don’t forget that this includes ground-level windows as well as doors, garages, and porches.

Those that live in rural area are not as concerned about having their home invaded as those who are located in the city. There are differences between large cities and homes located in the countryside. Some think rural areas see less burglary.

You need to think about what you need as far as home security before you look at different systems. While these systems could be good for protecting your family, they aren’t for everyone. In certain areas, it may be just as useful to learn self defense or buy a dog, whereas other places may require added measures. Comprehend the risks associated with your home security so you now can make a more well-informed buying decision.

Understand certain safety precautions when it comes to having skylights for your home. Skylights have a good function, but unfortunately they also often provide a way for a burglar to enter. Be sure that the skylights for your home are durable and reliable.

If you haven’t gotten a paper shredder, it may be time to purchase one. Unshredded documents can offer up a wealth of valuable personal information to thieves, including enough of your schedule to allow them to pinpoint the best time for a burglary. If a paper shredder is not in your budget, consider tearing your documents into tiny pieces or even burning them.

Do not let people on the street see valuable items in your home. It may be great to have large windows with a view, but this means that people can look in. You should cover any windows that are facing the street so your valuables will be safe.

Make sure a surveillance system is part of your home security system. Video cameras are a great deterrent. Visible cameras deter many intruders, but if they disable the cameras that they can see, your hidden camera can record the action. Surveillance systems often allow you to access videos through your cell phone, too.

Are you aware that your home’s wires are worth something? A lot of people don’t realize this fact until a robber steals it from their home. The copper wiring can be stripped and be turned in for money. Hide your wiring to secure it.

One of the best home burglary systems is man’s best friend. Dogs are very protective of their turf and usually make noises when something is amiss. A big, vicious guard dog isn’t necessary. Small dogs are noisy and unpredictable and very good at deterring burglars.

If you move to a place that was occupied before, you should change the locks right away. Even though the previous tenant may have turned in their key, you never know if they have a copy. You can also put the locks on yourself so you can be sure no one else has a key.

Try to stay away from spring latch locks. They give intruders and easy time breaking in, since they can be unlocked with a credit card. An intruder has only to press the card into the doorjamb between latch and the door and the lock will pop open. If you already have spring latch locks, install a deadbolt for added security.

You can add a great deal of security to your home by installing a system of motion activated exterior lighting. This is a fairly inexpensive way to provide light and security to your property. If strategically placed, motion detectors ensure that it’s difficult for intruders to break into your home sight unseen.

Keep your curtains pulled tight when you are away from home. You do not want any part of your home visible to the public. They may break in if they see things they like. It’s good to have them down at night, too.

When it comes to expert advice, you now have a plethora of choices at your disposal. The next step is to put it into practice and make your home secure. Stay abreast of new developments in the field and learn everything you need to know about home security.

Inquire into both purchase and lease options for your security system. Purchasing your equipment may cost more in the beginning, but this is a one-time cost which does not recur. Leasing is cheaper, but there may be hidden fees and contracts. Think about both options before making a decision.