All homeowners need to be aware of safety and security. There is a lot of information out there about the subject. This article can help you glean the most important pieces of information that can help you develop the most effective home security plan.

Get a good safe to store your valuables in your home. If an intruder breaks into your home, at least these valuables will be secure. Your safe should be placed somewhere it is not readily noticeable.

Place your spare key securely on your dog’s collar. This approach is useful if your dog is a large breed that lives outdoor, or if your house has a doggy door. Just hide a spare house key on the inside of your dog’s collar. Then when you need an extra key, you will be able to access this one.

Seek recommendations from friends and family when choosing a security company or system. Most will be willing to share their likes, loves and loathes, especially as they realize how important it is to you. Make broad inquiries so that you are able to make a well-informed decision.

Buy a safe and use it to hold all of the valuables in your home. This ensures during a break in that the most important things are not stolen. The safe should be kept hidden in a basement or attic.

Keep your car in your garage. You will not have to worry about thieves taking your car if it is inside your garage. This will also make it more difficult for burglars to track when you away from home.

Compare various home security systems when shopping. Prices can differ a lot among companies for the same type of protection. 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.

Security starts with new locks. Perhaps your roommate left town or you have gone through a messy divorce, and you need to feel that the home is safe. It is inexpensive, and most locksmiths will be available for next day appointments.

Before agreeing to work with a security company, check with your friends and family 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. Taking a little time to listen can make you a much better decision maker when it comes to home security.

Understand certain safety precautions when it comes to having skylights for your home. Skylights are excellent for beauty and light, but it’s easy for burglars to gain access to your home through them. Be certain to have skylights that incorporate strong, durable hardware.

If you will be vacationing for an extended period of time, turn off the ringer on all the phones in your house. A home phone that rings and rings is a good way for a potential thief to know if anyone is home.

Stashing your most precious possession right inside the walls of your home can be a great idea. Don’t make it obvious by cutting out big chunks of drywall. There are many locales that are already around your home. Consider unwiring an electrical socket that isn’t used and storing your valuable jewelry.

Secure your garage. Often people are concerned that burglars can enter the home via the attached garage . Happily, there is a solution to this problem. If the garage door lifts via a track, you can use a C-clamp to stop your door from opening at the hands of intruders.

Are you aware of the value present in the wiring in your home? Often homeowners are unaware of this fact until they find that their wiring has been stolen. The reason they are valuable is because of their copper. A burglar can easily strip off your wires from the outside of your home very quickly. Be sure to hide your wires or make sure they are hard to get to.

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If there is any rotted wood around your door frame, replace it. Rotten wood is easily removed and can give an intruder a way into your home. Always replace rotting wood with fresh wood immediately to keep your house strong and secure.

Take advantage of any and all security resources your local police force makes available to homeowners. Home inspections or engraving identifiers can help protect you. Talk with local police to see if they offer these programs.

Obtain flashlights with solid batteries, and ensure they are kept in all the rooms of your home in the event of a power outage. This is important for you to be able to see should your power go out or you suffer an emergency. Make sure everyone in your family knows where the flashlights are.

Listen to your intuition as to whether your system is being installed by a trustworthy home security company. This is doubly true when you feel unease about the installers. It’s your home, and you are free to hire any company you like. At the end of the day, your efforts are so that you feel more comfortable.

If you allow a security company to come to your house, make sure they appear professional and can present identification. Thieves may say they are from a certain company to get into your home. This is dangerous for your family and your possessions. Act cautiously in order to stay away from potential dangers.

If your home has skylights, don’t neglect to secure them. Skylights are a great addition to any home, but they are also tempting entryways for crooks. Having heavy duty, reliable hardware is best when it comes to skylights.

To increase your home’s security, buy some outdoor lights that are motion activated. Cost-effective and aesthetically pleasing, these lights really add value to your home. 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.

Believe it or not, the wires on your house are worth stealing. Many people do not realize this until a crook steals it off of their home. Copper is expensive and most wiring is composed of it, so stripping it is a great way for crooks to make a quick buck. Be sure that you keep all your wiring hidden and make it hard to access.

Your landscaping should be designed based on what will be safest for your home. There should be no plants or greenery in front of doors or windows. Intruders should have nowhere to hide near your home. Plan features like these further from your home to have a safe, beautiful design.

Replace rotten wood on your door frame. Rotting wood is easy to remove and take apart if someone is trying to get in. Replace wood that is starting to rot with fresh new wood to keep your home as safe as possible.

Be sure your home is well lit on the outside. Burglars like committing crimes in the darkness. Put a light anywhere where an intruder can enter your home. All doors, porches, garages and windows should be well lit.

Any time you let a stranger into your home that is doing some kind of work, it is best to ask for references. Perform a background check to learn about their criminal history, too. You might not know that the maid or contractor entering your home is a crook, and this could be a very bad mistake.

If you arrive home and you see that your door is ajar, never enter to investigate on your own. You have no way of knowing whether the thieves are still inside. Call the police, then wait until they get there to do anything else.

Motion sensitive lights are an inexpensive way to increase your home’s security. At night, the lights will keep things bright round the house, but they are also efficient and cost-effective ways to help your security. Positioned correctly, these lights can make it impossible for intruders to get on your property undetected.

If you haven’t bought a paper shredder yet, make it a point to do so. Thieves may look through your garbage for information. If paper shredders don’t fit into your budget, you can manually rip up important documents yourself.

You want to know what is included in a contract if you’re signing up with a security company. There could be fees for terminating the contract early or acquiring additional equipment down the road. You want to avoid as many of these fees as you can, so read everything.

Inquire as to the different lengths of contracts offered by your security company. Each likely has its benefits and drawbacks. The longer the contract, the lower your monthly bill, but if you move or become dissatisfied, you are stuck with the monthly fee. A short contract will avoid this, but may be more costly.

If you come to your home and discover that your door has been left open, avoid investigating by yourself. This can be very dangerous because the thief could still be inside. Call the authorities and let them take care of the situation.

Keep curtains closed when you aren’t at home. Intruders can see into your home if they are left up. If they spot an item they’re interested in, they will most likely try to enter. You should have the windows covered when you’re asleep.

The more effort put into your home security education, the better. However, distinguishing useful information from that which is unhelpful can prove challenging. So, you will find it to be worth your while to keep looking back at these tips if that is what it takes to secure your home.

Replace any non-metal or non-wood door immediately. These doors hold really good. If a thief tried to kick the door, he would not be successful in doing so. Replacing doors is not very expensive and should make a real difference.