How much is home security worth to you? Have you come to believe that you simply cannot afford the services of a security company? Would you like to find a more affordable way to live a secure life? You can secure your home in an affordable manner. The following article has some cheap ways to increase your home security.

If you need to leave a key for a maid service, make sure that that whoever cleans your house is professional and trustworthy. Be sure any home cleaner you give your key to is trustworthy and reputable. Check out their references thoroughly. If it is a known company, check with your local BBB.

When you buy a new home, be sure to have the locks changed. You cannot be sure of the number of key copies that the former owner gave out. Changing the locks will give you peace of mind that you and your family are the only ones who have access to your home. When you lose your keys, have your locks rekeyed.

When placing your spare key outside for emergencies, give careful consideration to where you put it. Placing a key above a door or under a doormat is quite obvious! A possible solution is to attach a key to your outdoor dog’s collar.

Comparison shop when you are ready to buy a home security system. Different companies can provide equivalent levels of service and security, but their prices can vary wildly. Look at a number of different companies and get at least three quotes before selecting what you feel is the ideal plan for your home.

Aim to purchase fire-resistant ceilings, roofs and floors. This will make your home more safe, especially if you are in a dry climate that has many power lines. Fire prevention is always a good idea, and sometimes it can be a lifesaving idea!

Social networking sites are great for keeping in touch, but post information sparingly. For example, you might avoid broadcasting when you are going out of town, especially if your friends list contains casual acquaintances. While it is exciting to go to a new place and have a good time, you are letting thieves know that your house will be empty and they can come right in.

When planning to go away for a holiday, be sure to turn off the ringers on your home phones. If a burglar keeps hearing your phone ring, they’ll know the home is not occupied, making it more likely for a break-in to occur.

Your friends may have some great advice for choosing the right company. They have likely had interactions with home security providers that they can tell you about, saving you time and stress. Ask around so you’ll have as much advice as you need in order to make a sound decision.

Get to know your neighbors. Talk to your neighbors. Watch their homes for suspicious activity and get their word that they will do the same thing for you. Pay attention to gossip as well. Important security details (like the presence of strangers in your neighborhood) can come out of the most innocent conversations.

Turn off your phone’s ringer when you go on vacation. If the phone rings when you are away, burglars will know there’s nobody home, making the house vulnerable to a break-in when you are out.

Walls are a good place to hide things. If you own smaller things that need protection, think about keeping them hidden in the walls. You can use phone jacks or electric outlets as hiding spots. If you’re using all your outlets, you can install phony ones.

During summer, remove your landscape’s dead vegetation and wood. These could catch on fire during the summer, especially if you live in a dry area. Keep your yard clear so it is a safe area.

Don’t hide an extra key under a rock or in a planter. While you may need to prepare if you have a spare key, it is wise to choose ways that do not increase the risk of a criminal gaining entrance to your home. Thieves know about all these hiding spots. Instead, give your extra key to a neighbor whom you trust.

Police Department

Whenever you move to a new dwelling, make certain to get each lock replaced. Although the person you purchased the house from might seem good, you really have no clue as to who they really are. Keep in mind that there may have been residents prior to that person too.

See what your local police department offers in terms of home protection programs. There are lots of different programs, like home inspections, that will help you take the proper steps to make sure your home adequately protected. Ask your police department to see if these types of programs are available.

Equipping each room in your house with a reliable flashlight (charged with good batteries, of course!) is an excellent safety investment. Power outages are common to all sorts of emergency situations, so having flashlights handy will enable you to maneuver in the dark. Be sure everyone in your family is aware of the location of emergency flashlights.

You need to change our locks as your first step to ensuring your safety. Changing the locks will ensure that you are the only one who knows the combination. This is a very easy process that you can complete within a day.

Make sure that the person analyzing your home for a home security system is who he says. Intruders can easy pass themselves off as an employee of a security company just to get inside your house. Don’t allow this to happen, as it is a direct threat to your house and its contents. Use caution to stay out of danger.

Walls are the perfect place to hide. Concealing small valuables in your walls is an easy and highly effective way to protect them. Just open up an electrical outlet or a phone jack that is not in use. You can also install a fake one.

Always check references before letting anyone work on your home. Try doing a background check to look at their criminal history. You can’t always be sure that maids, service workers or contractors are honest, and therefore giving out keys can be a big error.

You can hide certain valuables within your walls. It’s not necessary to cut out parts of your wall to do this. Take a closer look at your walls and note just how many access points there are already. An unused outlet can be taken apart, and the space used to create a tiny hidden safe.

When hiring a home security company, make sure to read the fine print on the contract you are signing. There may be hidden costs involved that you were not aware of. You want to avoid as many of these fees as you can, so read everything.

Do that put spare keys above door frames or under door mats. While you may feel that you are keeping yourself safe by allowing a way in for yourself, you are also allowing everyone else to visit whenever they want. Thieves aren’t stupid and also know common hiding spots. Rather, give your key to a neighbor you find trustworthy.

Keep your outdoor areas well lit. Burglars like using darkness to hide. Be sure all vulnerable exterior areas of your home are equipped with good lighting. This includes doorways and porches, the garage, and windows on ground floors which may invite intruders.

Home security comes down to what you can afford. When you are unable to afford these measures, however, this shouldn’t mean you can’t have peace of mind. This article has many tips you can use for your home security.s Cheaper methods can still produce good results!

Consider your personal needs for safety and your security risks prior to looking for security systems. While these systems are great and can help protect your family, they are not necessary 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. Ensure that you have considered all your options before making a final decision.