If you’re looking to what choices you have when it comes to home security, this article will give you great tips. It’s not easy to shell out so much money for a good home security system. You need to know what you’re doing before you can make the right decisions.

If someone comes to clean your home, only give them a key if they’re trustworthy. If you plan on giving them the key so that they can work in your home for over an hour, make sure that they’re reputable, hardworking, and honest. Make sure you check references. Call the Better Business Bureau to see if their firm is well-reviewed.

Make your house look occupied all the time. You can buy timers to have radios, TVs, lights and other electronics go off and on at different times. This makes people think you’re home. This is great for keeping a home safer from burglaries.

Keep your most precious belongings inside a safe. This is important, since you don’t want your valuables exposed to a potential intruder. Be sure to put your safe in an out of the way place like the basement, attic or under the floorboards.

Turn the ringer off on your telephone if you are going to be away. This is because a phone that is ringing and ringing can tip of a burglar that nobody is currently home.

Your dog can actually safeguard a spare key. This will come in handy if your dog is outdoors most of the time or if it can go outside through a pet door. Latch the key on his collar and voila–you have a spare key available!

Police Department

The police department in your area may offer a home protection program. They often offer home inspections, seminars and even the ability to purchase items. Contact the police department to see if they have something similar.

Change all of your locks when you move in. You simply do not know how many keys to the old locks are floating around. Call a locksmith as soon as you can for maximum security. Do the same thing if you misplace your keys.

Walls are great for hiding items. If you own small valuables that require protection, try hiding them in the walls. Any phone jack or electrical outlet that isn’t being used is a great place to hide valuables. If you have no unused plates, you can easily install false ones.

If you’ve recently moved into a house, get any locks changed out. As nice as the previous person may seem, you don’t really know them. Keep in mind that other families might have lived with them, too.

Home security systems offer additional features besides loud alarms during a break-in. Some give offer the option to monitor all entries into the house. If you have little ones wandering about the house, this makes it easy for you to know if they have come in or gone out.

Were you aware of how valuable your house wires are? Some intruders could strip your home of every bit of copper. The copper in the wiring is valuable and can be stripped off of the outside of the home in a relevantly short period of time. This is why the wiring should be hidden or difficult to get to.

Rotten Wood

When in the process of purchasing a home-security system, be sure to comparison shop. Prices can differ a lot among companies for the same type of protection. Obtain quotes from a minimum of three home security companies before making a final decision.

Rotten wood on door and window frames needs to be repaired. Rotten wood is easily removed and can give an intruder a way into your home. Replace wood that is starting to rot with fresh new wood to keep your home as safe as possible.

Make sure your flashlights have charged batteries and are found throughout your home. The flashlights are important because they make you able to get around the house in an emergency. Your whole family should be trained on the proper use and maintenance of flashlights.

You should not let anyone inside your home. Even if their story is compelling, they need assistance or want to sell you something. These people might want to actually do you harm or could be casing out your house for a future break-in.

Before you let security company representatives into your home, check their ID. Having the name of the technician coming to your house ahead of time can help to ensure you are allowing someone who really works for the company into your home. Intruders could disguise themselves as home security representatives to inspect your current security system. Caution is always advisable if dangers like this are to be avoided.

Before you let anyone go into your home, look at their references thoroughly. Try doing a background check to look at their criminal history. There is no way of knowing whether or not service people are honest, so you should not give them keys to your home.

You should clean your yard of vegetation and dead wood. As the summer heat rolls in, there is a higher chance that these can catch on fire, putting your home at risk. Keep your yard clear of debris to keep your house safe.

Be sure and keep the outside of your house well lit. Burglars seek darkness so that they can stay hidden. The most important parts of your home to light are all of its potential access points. Consider all your doors, porches, patios, decks, garages and all ground-level windows.

Get your neighbors to not only pick up your mail, but also any flyers left at your door. Robbers will place these on your door and may invade your home if they are not removed. If the flier stays in place, the burglar knows that the homeowner is out on vacation.

See what your local police department offers in terms of home protection programs. Many police departments offer programs that can include home inspections, home security training and more. Call them up to find out more.

Discourage burglars by making your garage windows opaque. Frosted windows prevent thieves from looking into your home and are inexpensive. Do not leave doors open for lengthy periods while you are doing work.

There is no need to have keyed locks on interior doors. You may have locks without keys that need a code. These can be installed either by you, or a home security company.

It’s a good idea to have motion sensor lights installed. These lights will come on if someone walks near your home. Not only will you know that someone is out there, it will also deter burglars because they want to be inconspicuous. Get in the habit of checking and replacing the bulbs as necessary to ensure the lights remain effective.

If you want to minimize the maintenance required by your security system, go with one that’s hard-wired. Wireless security systems are great, but need frequent battery changes. If you neglect to change your batteries, the system can fail. It can be expensive to replace a ton of batteries.

If the window of your living room faces the street, close your curtains at night. People who can peek through your windows might find your home inviting. If valuable items can be seen from outside your home, it is an open invitation to burglars. Minimize your chances of burglary by minimizing what in your home is visible to the public.

You should have several flashlights and batteries in all your rooms. The flashlights are important because they make you able to get around the house in an emergency. Make sure each member of your family knows where the flashlights are and how to operate them.

Be sure to get deadbolt locks with captive key-locks. This type of deadbolt is secured with an inside latch. Even if a thief reaches in, he cannot turn the lock. Always leave your key in the door when you are home so you can leave quickly if you have to.

Your carbon monoxide and smoke detectors need to be cleaned regularly. If they become clogged with lint and dust, it will interfere with their sensors. Therefore, your detectors will not be effective in protecting your home from smoke and carbon monoxide.

The number one thing you must do if you’re moving into a new place is have the locks changed. Even though the previous tenant may have turned in their key, you never know if they have a copy. It is possible to purchase and put in locks on your own so you can be assured you have the only keys.

If you have paid close attention to facts presented to you, you should be prepared to make your choice. Understand that keeping your home and family safe and secure is very important. Be sure and implement the tips you’ve just read.