Don’t be one of those homeowners who neglect the security of their home. It is important to learn more about the products and habits you can use to protect your home. Read on to learn more about making a great security plan to use for your own home.

Spare Key

Do not tell anyone that you are going on vacation out of your friend circle. It’s great to see new places and take a lot of photos, but posting them while still overseas lets thieves know your home is empty.

Don’t just hide your spare key anywhere. Never put a spare key under a doormat or above a door jam. Hide your alternative key on your dog’s collar.

Solicit word of mouth recommendations from friends, colleagues and family members to find a great home 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. Do your research; it will help you make a good decision in the end.

When you’re going away, turn off your phone ringers. When burglars hear phones ringing for an extended period of time in a home, they know that there is no one there to answer.

Don’t open your door if a stranger is on the other side. Criminals can be endlessly inventive when it comes to generating a convincing story to force their way into your home. No matter how sympathetic the story, remember that it could all be a put-on. Keep a hard, fast rule that says you only open the door for invited guests in order to keep your family safe.

Keep your car in your garage. This will keep it away from thieves and vandals. Storing your car in the garage will also make it difficult for anyone casing your home to figure out when no one is going to be there.

Don’t let strangers into your home. Burglars have many clever ways to convince householders to open the door. Make sure everyone in your house knows not to open the door unless they know the person standing outside.

Do not be shy. Speak with your neighbors and friends in the area. Keep an eye on their houses and yards and request that they return the favor. It’s best to be in on any rumors in the area. You may end up hearing about things such as odd folks roaming about the neighborhood.

If you’re in a rural place, you might not be as worried about break-ins as those that are in the city. Interestingly, many think those living in rural areas are actually more susceptible to break-ins since neighbors may not live close by. Others think that rural places have less of a chance of being targets for burglars.

Be brave! Converse with those living in your area. You’ll find that friendly neighbors make for a powerful support network. Keep an eye on their properties and they’ll respond in kind. Do not ignore gossip either. It is often a good way to find out about security issues, such as strangers in the neighborhood.

Walls make the perfect hiding spot. You can hide small, valuable items inside the walls of your home. All you need is a wall opening you’re not using (something like a phone jack, electrical box, or switch plate). If there are no unused plates, you can easily install fake ones.

Don’t put your spare keys under floor mats or plants. 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 are familiar with these hiding spots. A better option is to entrust an honest neighbor with a spare key.

Don’t hide an extra key under a rock or in a planter. Remember that you are not the only one who is aware of these sorts of hiding places. Thieves are tricky, diabolical, and familiar with any and every hiding place. Rather, give your key to a neighbor you find trustworthy.

Your valuables should not be easily seen from outside your home. Large windows let in light and give you a great view outside, but that works both ways. Blinds are a great way to allow the light in, without allowing people to see in at the same time.

Check each spring for any rotting frames on your doors and windows. Replace them immediately if you spot any problems. Anyone hoping to enter your home can very easily do so by just prying away the rotted wood. Replace rotting wood with new wood to stay safe.

Your valuables should not be easily seen from outside your home. Large windows at the home’s front can be beautiful, but it can make it easier for criminals to see inside. You always want to make sure you keep your valuables covered if they are by a window.

Flashlights in your home should always have newer batteries if your power goes out. Flashlights are very important, as they will give you the ability to move around in the event of an emergency. Show your children how to use them so everyone in the family is involved.

Always check references before letting anyone work on your home. A background check is also recommended so you know if they have a criminal history. You can’t know for sure about the integrity of people you hire, and blindly giving them access to your home can be a huge mistake.

Purchase an alarm system that has a few “bells and whistles;” you don’t just need protection for your doors. Your windows should also be protected because burglars can also break into them. Therefore, ensure the windows have an attached alarm. All potential entry points should have an alarm. They are the most effective.

If you are seeking home safety ideas that are simple and inexpensive, you should buy outdoor lights with motion sensors. These lights illuminate your home during the night. As an added bonus, they are affordable and quite efficient. By carefully placing them around the outside of your property, you create a perimeter that cannot be breached.

When choosing between security companies, read everything on the contract. There could be hidden costs if you were to quit your service prior to the expiration date of the contract, or you decide to add additional equipment later. It’s best to know about these fees in advance so that you can avoid them when possible.

Were you aware of how valuable your house wires are? A lot of people don’t realize this fact until a robber steals it from their home. Copper wiring can easily be removed. Therefore, ensure you hide your wires so that burglars cannot see them, or make the wires extremely hard for the burglars to get to.

Always keep your home’s exterior well lit. Burglars like committing crimes in the darkness. Install some outside lights so you can see everything outside. This can include the garage, doorways, porches and other areas which invite an intruder in.

Make sure no one can look inside your garage. Cover your windows with frosting; this could be purchased at hardware stores. They prevent people from peeking inside. Don’t let your door hang open for lengthy periods of time.

Buy flashlights with strong batteries and make sure there is one in each room in case of power outages. Flashlights are essential since they let you move around in an emergency. Train kids how to use the flashlights so that everyone may contribute.

Home security is an extremely important topic; unfortunately, not many people are knowledgeable on it. Those worried about the security of their home and possessions should take studying the topic seriously. Hopefully, you’ve learned what you need to know from this article and can now put the information to use.