There is a good chance that you know someone who has been robbed. Home invasion crimes are happening more often, and you need to take steps to keep your home safe. Break-ins are always a possibility. This article discusses what you are able to do to enhance your home’s security.

Be sure your home appears to always be occupied. You could purchase timers and have your TVs, lights, radios and other types of electronics to go on at various times. This way it will always look as if someone is home, even when you are away. This is great for keeping a home safer from burglaries.

Place your spare key securely on your dog’s collar. Outdoor dogs or pet doors make this possible. Latch the key on his collar and voila–you have a spare key available!

Buy a safe for very valuable items in the house so you can keep them inside a single location. This is important, since you don’t want your valuables exposed to a potential intruder. Hide your safe in a hard to find place like the basement or attic.

When looking to buy a security system, shop around. Different companies can provide equivalent levels of service and security, but their prices can vary wildly. Get quotes from several companies so that you can get the best price for your home security system.

Be very cautious about entrusting a maid service with a key to your home. Be sure to check out the background of any housekeeper you plan to provide with a key to your home. Make sure you check references. If you are using a cleaning firm, make sure it has an excellent Better Business Bureau rating.

Don’t talk about your vacations on social media. 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.

Solicit word of mouth recommendations from friends, colleagues and family members to find a great home security company or system. Other people are sure to have opinions and experiences to share. Do your research; it will help you make a good decision in the end.

Keep your jewelry, vital documents and other expensive items in a safe. This will help to keep your jewelry and other valuables secured in the event of a break in. Keep your safe in a hard-to-get-to place, such as a basement closet or your attic.

When you’re going away, turn off your phone ringers. This is because a phone that is ringing and ringing can tip of a burglar that nobody is currently home.

Walls make the perfect hiding spot. You can hide small, valuable items inside the walls of your home. Simply take advantage of an unused switch plate, electrical outlet, or phone jack. If you have no unused plates, you can easily install false ones.

If there are folks you don’t know or trust in your social network online, don’t let them know you are going away. While you may want to shout it from the rooftops, you’re letting everyone know that your home will be vacant and easy to rob.

Consider hiding valuables within your walls. You needn’t tear down your walls to do this. There are many locales that are already around your home. If you have an electric socket you do not use, hide valuables behind their covers.

When moving into a house, ensure that each lock has been replaced. While the person you bought the home from may seem on the up and up, you have no idea who they really are. There are other people who have lived in the home as well.

You never want to open up a door to a stranger without proper identification. People try many ways to convince others to open up their doors so that they can commit burglary or worse. Be sure that everyone in your home knows not to open the door to strangers and unexpected visitors.

Motion Detectors

You can make your home safer by investing in some motion detectors and outside lights. These lights will keep your property well lit and give you a good idea of who approaches your home. If positioned correctly on the exterior of your home, the motion detectors make it virtually impossible for an intruder to sneak onto your property.

Rid the outside of your home from dead wood, vegetation and overgrowth during the summertime. You risk a house fire if that sits there during the heat of the summer and catches fire. Keep your yard clear of debris to keep your house safe.

When you are trying to hire a home security contractor, read all the small print on your contract before signing it. They sometimes have hidden costs if you let go of them prior to the contract expiring. You are going to want to avoid these kinds of hidden fees, so know about them up front.

Think about having a wireless security system for the home installed. While the wired systems are less expensive, they usually mean rather intrusive wiring for your house, which can also go out during power outages. A wireless system, on the other hand, requires less maintenance and is simpler to install.

Be brave! Build up a rapport with the people who own homes close to yours. Watch out for their homes, and ask them to do the same for you. Never neglect gossip. You may end up hearing about things such as odd folks roaming about the neighborhood.

A paper shredder can be a good security investment. Many thieves sift through trash for personal info and to figure out when you plan to be away. Cutting the papers into small pieces with a pair of scissors is another option.

Burglaries happen in middle and lower class neighborhoods, too. Intruders could target your home if you have a few valuables. Protect your family and your home against burglars by following the tips presented here.

A skylight is another area that needs to be protected for home security. Although a skylight can bring light into one’s home and look good, it’s also a common entrance way for burglars. Be certain that skylights in your home can be locked securely.