What are you willing to pay to keep your home and family safe? Are the offerings of big security companies too expensive for you? Are you always on the lookout for more affordable options? There actually are some, and they are within reach. The following article has some cheap ways to increase your home security.

The only time you should give out house keys to house cleaners is if you absolutely trust them. If you plan to give them a key so they can clean in your home while you are away, ensure they are reputable and honest. Make sure you verify all references. If your cleaning person comes from a company, check with the BBB.

Once you buy a house, switch out the locks. You simply do not know how many keys to the old locks are floating around. Hire a locksmith so that you can be sure you are the only person who can access your home. Do the same thing if you misplace your keys.

Hide your spare key in a place where no one would think to look for it. Intruders will think to look on the top if a door frame and under a doormat. Rather, think about putting a key on your outside dog’s collar.

Do not give the key to your home to your cleaning person unless you are certain they are worthy of your trust. Make sure you know they are legitimate before giving out the key. One way to do this is to check their references. If your cleaning person comes from a company, check with the BBB.

If you will be away from your house for an extended period of time, turn the ringers off for all your phones. If the phone rings without you there, burglars will suspect that you’re not home, and that can make your home a target for an attack while you’re gone.

Does your dog stay outside while you are gone? This pet may be an excellent storing spot for your spare key. You can attach your key to your dog’s collar in order to keep the key hidden. This is a good way to ensure easy home access, especially if your pet does not associate well with strangers.

You should not let anyone inside your home. Even if the person has a compelling story, needs help or has something to sell, they should not be given access. Some folks will enter to scout for security systems, and upon seeing you lack one, will resolve to return at a later time.

Buy a safe for very valuable items in the house so you can keep them inside a single location. You can’t have your valuable personal items and jewelry out in the open for anyone to see. Hide that safe in a difficult-to-reach place like in a closet inside your basement or an attic.

See what your local police department offers in terms of home protection programs. Some police departments offer things like code numbers to help find your valuables should they get stolen. Get in touch today.

Remove old plants and debris from your yard. Due to the heat, these items in your yard are more likely to catch on fire. As a result, your home could be caught on fire. You can prevent disasters by keeping your yard clean.

Install motion-sensor lights. 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. Be sure to keep these lights working, though.

Security System

People who live rurally often don’t think about home security. On a different note, some people believe homeowners in more rural areas are more likely to experience robberies because of the lack of nearby neighbors. Some people think burglaries are less prevalent in rural parts.

Even if you have a great security system, it must be checked annually. This is a job for professionals; get a security firm to inspect your equipment. A number of factors can cause problems with your security system, including wild animals and mother nature. If the problem isn’t visible, you may be unaware of it.

Skylights could be a problem for the safety of your home. Skylights have a good function, but unfortunately they also often provide a way for a burglar to enter. Any skylights in your home should be secured with strong hardware.

Try installing motion-sensor lights. These kinds of lights will pop right on when they detect motion near your home. They will notify you of any movement and can deter any possible burglars since they like remaining inconspicuous. Don’t forget to replace the bulbs when they burn out.

Keep valuables out of sight of windows. Large windows at the home’s front can be beautiful, but it can make it easier for criminals to see inside. Always keep your windows covered and do not tempt others by displaying your possessions.

Security starts with new locks. Whether you have a roommate who is about to move out, or a relationship that has run its course, it is a good idea change your locks. Changing locks is not very expensive and should be done within a few hours.

When selecting an alarm set-up, think about getting one that protects not just the doors in your home. Each window represents a possible entry for your thief. Each point of entry for your home should be monitored by the system. With this method, your family will be safer.

People in rural areas are not usually as worried about burglaries as people in cities. There are some who believe country folk are more at risk because neighbors are not nearby. Still there are those that think that burglars are not as likely to target rural areas.

Don’t allow the wires of your home security system to be visible to others. An intruder can cut the wires or disconnect them and avoid the system. Don’t make it easy for an intruder, have the wires buried or hidden within the home’s walls. This will make you much safer.

Place your valuables in cut-outs in your walls. Don’t make it obvious by cutting out big chunks of drywall. Many areas in your house are already accessible for this purpose. An unused outlet can be taken apart, and the space used to create a tiny hidden safe.

If you have any boxes to discard from large, expensive items, wait until the evening before the trash is scheduled for collection. Exposing the box to view ahead of time signals a burglar that he will find this item in your home.

You can only do what’s affordable when it comes to home security. If you cannot afford an expensive system, you should adopt better habits to keep your home safe. This piece has offered lots of good home security ideas. These tips will be very helpful down the road.

You can keep intruders away by always having your house lit up. They wish to avoid detection. Thieves have a hard time stealing things when there are lots of lights around. That’s why it’s a good idea to light your home well for optimum safety.