Every homeowner needs to take active steps to maintain home security. But, home invasions are very common these days, just as much other damage is, like floods and fires. Listen to this articles tips to ensure that your home is safe from potential threats.

Your home should always look like it is occupied. You could purchase timers and have your TVs, lights, radios and other types of electronics to go on at various times. This will make your home appear as if someone is there. It is also another way to secure your home.

If you need to leave a key for a maid service, make sure that that whoever cleans your house is professional and trustworthy. You should not let cleaners have your keys if you feel like you cannot trust them, or if they will be working in your home while you are away. Check their references very carefully. If the cleaner has been sent by a company, call the Better Business Bureau to check on the company’s reputation.

Use your dog as the protector of your spare key. Really this works only if you have a pet door or if your dog is an outdoor dog. Place a spare key on the collar, and when you really need a spare, you know where to go!

Don’t let everyone in your social network know that you are leaving the home unprotected for your vacation trip; especially the people who you aren’t familiar with. It can be exciting to tell everyone about your vacation, but you could potentially be letting a burglar in on your whereabouts.

Be very cautious about entrusting a maid service with a key to your home. Before you give a cleaner full access to your home for extended periods of time, you have to be certain that they’re trustworthy and reliable. All references should be checked. If the cleaner has been sent by a company, call the Better Business Bureau to check on the company’s reputation.

Do not let people you don’t know in your house. No matter how innocent a person may seem or how interesting the product he or she may be offering, you must not allow access. Some criminals will use any reason to gain access to look for security systems and easy entryways into your house.

Hiding places for spare keys must be chosen with extreme care and caution. Too many people put their extra key under the mat in front of their door; burglars know to check there. You should hide it in your dog’s collar.

Whenever you are selecting a home security company, make sure you go with your gut feelings. This is particularly true if you’re uneasy with those that install your actual system. Never hesitate to has for a new technician or even go with a different company altogether. The point of having a security system is to make yourself feel at ease.

Talk to people you know about their security systems. They may have had experiences with certain companies and can lead you in the right direction. Be sure you seek out advice by asking those people.

Even if you’re not going to be gone long, keep your home locked. In a lot of cases, home intruders enter through unlocked doors. Once a thief is inside, he can steal a lot of valuables in a short amount of time.

Shut off phone ringers inside the home if you’re going to be gone for quite a while. If the phone rings without you there, burglars will suspect that you’re not home, and that can make your home a target for an attack while you’re gone.

Do not choose a home alarm system that monitors only your doors. Thieves can easily enter your home through a window. Each point of entry for your home should be monitored by the system. This will help to keep your family safe.

If you’ve got a garage, make sure to use it for your car rather than extra storage space. Having the car in the garage will prevent it from getting broken into or stolen. Hiding the car from plain sight can keep possible intruders from figuring out when you’re home and also when you are not.

Were you aware of how valuable your house wires are? 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. To keep the wiring safe, be sure that the wire is hidden from view.

It’s a good idea to have motion sensor lights installed. These are lights that turn on whenever any living thing gets too close to your home. You will be alerted when there is activity outside, and any potential burglars will be deterred because they do not want to be seen. Just remember and change out the light bulbs whenever necessary.

Having your house lit up during the night is a good way to scare intruders. Thieves don’t want to be visible. Good lighting in your home means that crooks have no hiding places. So keep those lights on at night for a secure home.

Always go with your gut when it comes to choosing a security firm. If you don’t feel comfortable with the technician, don’t allow them access to your home. If you simply are not comfortable with a company’s technician, request for another technician or simply hire another company. Remember, the new security apparatus is meant to make you feel safe and secure.

Ask your home security company how long they have been in business before you sign up for service. It doesn’t take long for a quality company to prove itself in the security business, and you should look for a track record of satisfied customers and successful work. Knowing you are not dealing with a fly by night company gives you extra peace of mind when making this important decision.

People in rural areas are not usually as worried about burglaries as people in cities. Others think that living in the country is more risky than other areas because houses are so far apart. You need to do some research on the areas where you live to get an idea of how frequent break ins are.

Be sure to get a home security service that will inspect your home and tailor a home security system just for you. The needs and wants of each family and the configuration of each home are quite individual. When you choose a company that pays close attention to detail in creating your home security plan, you will feel very secure.

Walls are a great hiding spot for your valuables. Concealing small valuables in your walls is an easy and highly effective way to protect them. You could use a phone jack, electrical outlet or a switch plate. You can easily install fake unused plates.

Consider all of your individual security needs before looking into any alarm systems. You might find that an alarm isn’t necessary at all. In some particular neighborhoods, classes for self defense or acquiring a dog may be the best option. However, the newest home security technology may be the best protection in other regions. Think about your risk factor when making a decision.

It is important that you do not put expensive valuables in plain sight. Although large windows in your home can provide your home with a lot of light, they can also provide burglars with an excellent view of the inside of your home. Be sure to put curtains on your front-facing windows so people can’t see your valuable belongings.

In the event you find your door open upon arriving home, you should never enter and investigate yourself. This is very dangerous due to the fact that the thief can still be inside your property. Instead, call the police to inform them of what happened, and wait on them.

If you’ve bought large or pricy items, avoid throwing out boxes until the day the trash is scheduled for pick-up. Having these boxes around for a while will give people an idea of what is inside your house.

If you will be away from your home, arrange to have whoever is collecting your mail to also pick up fliers placed inside your door. Some intruders will place a flyer at your home to see if the flyer is removed immediately or not. Fliers that are left behind signal to the burglar that there is no one at home.

Equipping each room in your house with a reliable flashlight (charged with good batteries, of course!) is an excellent safety investment. These items will help you remain safe when there is no electricity. Make sure each member of your family knows where the flashlights are and how to operate them.

Visible Cameras

Motion sensing lights are a good way to increase home security. During the night hours, these lights help light up the outside of your home, which makes them an excellent addition to your home security strategies. In addition, they are very affordable. If the lights are positioned correctly on your home, then it makes it much less likely for a burglar to enter.

Put up video surveillance. A wonderful way to make your home safer is by putting in hidden or visible cameras. Visible cameras are a deterrent to most intruders, and should they decide to disable them, a hidden camera will continue to capture footage. Find a security system that gives you the option to view the video feed from your phone so you can check on your home at anytime.

When choosing between security companies, read everything on the contract. There may be some hidden fees, or a need to buy more equipment later. You’ll want to avoid any surprises so be sure and read your contract carefully.

Homeowners make every attempt to make their home safe. You’ve just been giving some great home security tips. Make the most of these great tips for the best in home security.

You can find an excellent home security company with a simple Internet search. Check out different websites, and read through package details and customer testimonials. From there, you can make appointments with your top three selections to compare final package pricing and specific details about plans and monitoring.