Home security is something everyone needs but few people have an efficient plan. It is important to learn more about the products and habits you can use to protect your home. Keep reading to gain the insight necessary to establish a winning security plan for your home.

Is your dog outside even if you are away? If so, you can use your dog to hide your spare key. Attach the key to the dog’s collar so that it is hidden from view. This works very well if you have a pet that is not very fond of strangers. You will get the access you need without having to worry about your safety.

If you want to have a spare key hidden outside of your home, hide it carefully. Common places to hide a spare key are above your door frame or underneath your doormat. Therefore, thieves are more likely to check these places out first. You should hide it in your dog’s collar.

Buy a safe. This is vital, as you want to safeguard your valuable items in case of home burglary. Keep the safe hidden somewhere remote.

Avoid opening the door if you don’t know who is standing on the other side. People you do not know could have bad intentions or want to get an idea of how many valuable objects you own. You should make sure you only open the door to your home for people that you know and are expecting.

When in the process of purchasing a home-security system, be sure to comparison shop. Every company offers different pricing. Be certain to obtain multiple quotes prior to making your choice.

Keep your car in your garage if you have one. A car kept locked in a garage is much less likely to be stolen or damaged. Besides, intruders will have a hard time determining whether or not you are home if you keep your car inside your garage.

Be smart about where you decide to hide spare keys. Intruders will more than likely check under your doormat or above your door frame. Think outside the box and put the key someplace unusual, like hidden in your dog’s collar.

You should not be shy. Speak with your neighbors and friends in the area. Watch their houses, and ask if they’d do the same. It does not necessarily pay to steer clear of gossip. You may find out helpful information about strangers lurking around.

Before selecting a security firm, ask for recommendations. It is probable that you will hear some great stories about some companies as well as some not so great stories about others. This can save you the hassle of having to research everything on your own. Ask around so you’ll have as much advice as you need in order to make a sound decision.

The first thing to do is get your locks changed out. Whether an old roommate left or a relationship ended, changing your locks is a good idea. Changing the locks can typically be done very cheaply and quickly.

Contact the local police department to find out more about the protection programs they offer. Several in various jurisdictions have programs which entail providing a home inspection, what protective measures will help your home and even how to engrave valuable items to make them easier to recover. Ask your police department to see if these types of programs are available.

Skylights could be a problem for the safety of your home. Though skylights bring light into your home and look nice, it is also a very common way for burglars to get into your home. Your skylights need durable and reliable hardware for true protection.

Avoid being shy. Build up a rapport with the people who own homes close to yours. 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 might hear helpful information, for instance if strangers have been hanging around.

Walls are great for hiding things. You can hide small, valuable items inside the walls of your home. You could use a phone jack, electrical outlet or a switch plate. You can also install a fake one.

If you bought any big or expensive things, wait until trash day to throw away the boxes. Empty boxes for expensive new gear serve as advertisements to potentials thieves; don’t make it easy for them to spot such tempting targets.

You want an alarm system that protects more than your doors. Windows offer easy access to a potential thief. Every single entry point needs to have monitoring on it. This is the pinnacle of safety.

After moving into a pre-owned apartment or home, change the locks. Although the previous owner should not have a key, there is no way for you to know this. If you own, you can have the locks replaced and only you will have had the key.

Before letting a home security representative inside, ask for identification. It is simple for a thief to pose as a representative of your home security company as a means of gaining access to your house. This leads to danger. Caution is always advisable if dangers like this are to be avoided.

Screen the references of anyone who would have access to your house. Run a criminal background check on them, as well. You can never be too sure about anyone you hire to enter your home, and giving them access can work against you.

A great way to achieve extra security is to install exterior lighting equipped with motion detectors. In the evening, lights will help keep your home safe, and will add little in the way of extra expense. They also help to keep intruders away, because an intruder does not want to come close to your property if they know they might be spotted.

Determine how much experience a home security company has before you decide to do business with them. Many years of service bode well for the company’s performance. You’ll have a lot more confidence in your choice if you stick with a company that has a proven track record.

If you’re hiring a company for home security, be sure to read any fine print before you sign that contract. There may be hidden expenses involved if you terminate service before the contract term is up, and there may be added equipment fees. It’s best to know about these fees in advance so that you can avoid them when possible.

Anytime you come home and notice that the door is open whenever you are quite certain you closed it, don’t enter on your own to investigate. This is dangerous because the thief may be right inside. It is best to call the police right away and go to a safe place until the police check your home.

Can you read your house numbers clearly from the street? If your house numbers are not easy to see, the police may have difficulty finding you in an emergency. This is easy and inexpensive to fix if you believe there could be a problem.

Think about having a wireless security system for the home installed. While a wired system is more affordable, it also requires more extreme modifications of your home’s existing wiring. This could be a potential problem in the event that your power goes out. Wireless systems are much easier to install, and they can work independently of your home’s power.

Dogs are an excellent way to protect your home. Usually, dogs protect their homes and when they sense something is wrong, they bark. You will get good results even if you do not have a large or vicious dog. Even tinier canines can ward off intruders with enough noise.

Dogs are an excellent way to protect your home. They generally bark when someone comes close to their property. It is not necessary to have an aggressive dog. Small dogs also help, because intruders don’t want people to notice the barking.

Do not use locks with spring latches. These locks can easily be picked within a couple of minutes. Intruders simply wedge a credit card between the door and latch, triggering the lock to open. If you’ve already got spring latch locks, you can put in a deadbolt for additional security.

Ask whether or not your home security company gives you the option to lease and/or buy your equipment. While you will pay more to buy, you don’t have to keep paying for it month after month. Leasing usually proves cheaper at first, but it comes with strings attached through contracts or continuing fees and charges. Check out both options to discover the best one for you. The option that’s best for one person may not be best for another.

See if your firm gives you the choice of leasing and/or buying security equipment. It may be more expensive to buy equipment at the outset; however, you may save money in the long run if you are free from monthly payments. Leasing is often less expensive, but it may involve contracts and higher monthly fees. You need to think about each option to think about what is right for your home.

Don’t hide your key somewhere obvious. Everyone knows about fake rocks. Hiding a key under the doormat is even worse; this cliched tactic will fool no one. The best idea is just to ask a friend or neighbor to hang on to a key for you. This will reduce the chances of a burglary.

If you always turn your lights on or off at the same time, use a timer. This makes it easy for you because you do not have to turn the switch. It also makes the lights go off and on even if you are not at home.

Think about a security system that is hard-wired if you really have concerns about maintenance costs. The wireless ones are convenient, however, they need multiple battery sets that must be changed frequently. If you neglect battery changes, your system won’t work. Additionally, it can cost a pretty penny to buy batteries again and again.

Keeping your home safe is important, but many people do not know much about it. However, if you are a homeowner and you want to keep your family safe, you need to educate yourself on the topic. Keep this article handy and refer to it as necessary.

Program your lights to turn on and off at random intervals with a timer. This helps the lights stay on and continue to switch even when you’re away from your home.