Home security solutions often conjure up visions of technicians roaming through your house installing a myriad of wires, cables and sensors. Actually, though, that isn’t the case. Read this tips in this article for fast, easy ways to make your home more secure today.

Provide the house key to your professional house cleaner, but only if you fully trust them. If you do give out a key to such individuals, be certain you know their reputation for honesty. Go over their references and do some background research on the company they work for. Call the Better Business Bureau to see if their firm is well-reviewed.

It is a good idea to replace all the locks on the new home you buy. You will want to have a unique combination to stay secure. Having a locksmith replace the locks will ensure that no strangers have a key. This is also a good idea in the event that you misplace your keys.

Does your dog like to play in your yard? This is where you can put your spare key. Fasten the key to your dog’s collar to hide it from view. This is especially useful if the dog does not take kindly to strangers.

You should mute your land line phone if you are going on a vacation. 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.

Don’t open your door if a stranger is on the other side. Criminals find ways to get people to open doors so they can commit crimes. Never open the door to anyone you do not know.

Don’t let people into your house that you don’t know. Even if someone has a good story, requires help or has a great product to sell, ignore them. There are people that just want to go into your home to see if you’ve got a type of home security system, and if they see that you don’t, they’ll return when you’re not home.

You need to secure your garage if it is attached to your home. Many people are concerned about people entering their garages to gain access to their homes. However, you can use a C-clamp to help keep the door secure.

Regardless of the quality of your home security system, you need to check it annually. Have a worker from the security company take a look at it. The weather and animals are two things that may cause havoc on your home’s security system. You may not be able to tell there is an issue by yourself.

Talk to the police department in your area to see what safety programs they have. There are many that offer programs that include items, such as home inspection, how to use engraving tools to mark code numbers to identify valuables if yours are stolen, and protective measures advice. A quick call to the non-emergency number at the police station in your town will tell you all you need to know.

Make certain no one can see your valuable belongings through windows and doors. Large front windows are great, but they also allow others to peer into your home. If you’ve got street facing windows, be sure and keep them covered.

Motion sensor lights on the exterior of your home is a great idea. These lights will turn on if anyone walks too closely to your home. Motion-sensitive lights will alert you to movement and deter people who want to break into your home. Be sure to keep these lights working, though.

After bringing home a big-ticket item, such as an appliance or electronic device, avoid leaving the packages on the curb before trash day. Having these boxes around will let thieves know the type of items that are inside your home.

Keep safety at the forefront when landscaping your property. Don’t provide burglars with cover by planting big shrubs in front of your doors and windows. Do not give robbers a chance to hide in any area. This will give your home additional safety.

Keep your most valuable possessions inside your walls. You don’t need to cut out segments of your walls by the way. Take a closer look at your walls and note just how many access points there are already. Perhaps you can use an old electricity socket as a place to hide your valuables.

Think about your specific needs and risks prior to investigating security systems. Generic systems aren’t for everyone. Sometimes just taking a class in self defense or adopting a loud dog is enough, while at other times a full fledged security system might be the way to go. Understand completely the risks and rewards in order to make an informed purchase decision.

Never enter your house if the door is open or something doesn’t feel right. The thief may remain inside. Request that the police come and have them go in and check it out, before you go in yourself.

Regardless of how long you think you’ll be gone, make sure to lock your doors. A lot of times, burglaries happen due to carelessness. They can get a ton of stuff quickly and be long gone before you return.

Install a home surveillance system. This will allow you to see who is around your house. Visible cameras can scare intruders, and hidden ones can catch them in the act. A lot of surveillance cameras could be accessed through your phone, giving you the chance to check it even when you’re away.

Your furry friend is a great home security system, too. Dogs can be extremely protective of their space and are great at barking when something is afoot. The dog doesn’t have to be huge or even vicious. Even the barking of a tiny dog can repel potential burglars, who want to avoid noises as they carry out their crimes.

When deciding on an alarm system, be sure and get one that protects more than your doors. All of your windows are possible entry points for a thief too. Be sure your home alarm covers all entry points into your home. Doing this will help ensure the safety of your home and loved ones.

Find out about the various lengths of contracts your chosen home security company has on offer. They all likely have different benefits and downsides. The longer the contract, the lower your monthly bill, but if you move or become dissatisfied, you are stuck with the monthly fee. Shorter contracts allow your greater freedom, however they usually cost more each month.

Your security company might give you the option to lease and eventually buy your security equipment. Buying it may cost more, but this means there are no monthly charges. 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. Look at what you can afford, as well as what is offered and make an informed choice.

It is important that your alarm system wiring is not exposed anywhere. Burglars can easily cut the wires if they are visible. To provide maximum security, wiring should be laid underground or installed safely within the walls of your house. Your safety will increase.

Don’t use your birth date as the password for your security alarm. Anyone can get personal information online which they can use to access your home. Use a password that you can remember but that no one else will be able to guess.

Be sure to close your curtains at night in rooms that face the street. You do not want to invite people peeking in through your window. If potential thieves notice any expensive valuables within your home, they might target you. Keep your possessions out of the public eye to minimize your chances of becoming a burglary victim.

Be sure to replace rotten wood in the frame of your front door. Rotten wood can be removed in order to get inside your home. Replace dead wood with thick, firm pieces to maintain a high level of security.

Solid Wood

If the door isn’t solid wood or metal, then replace it with a door that is. Metal or solid wood doors cannot be broken. The heavier sturdy doors make it much harder for an intruder to gain access to your home. It shouldn’t be too expensive to replace all exterior doors, so do it immediately.

Ask for ID before letting anyone into your home. Thieves may say they are from a certain company to get into your home. This represents a danger to your possessions and your family. You want to use caution to prevent danger.

Rather than getting a security system put in, there are lots of other things you can do to add protection. Installing a fence, or adding safety locks to your door, are among the many options available to you to consider. Do not forget this advice in order to increase security in your home.