How much do you know about security systems? Maybe you aren’t sure how to begin. If you answered “yes” to the previous questions, you simply need to learn more about home security in general. Continue reading to discover what is available to you.

Don’t give the keys to your home to a professional cleaner unless you trust them completely. When giving your house cleaner the key to your home, you need to be sure that they are reputable and honest. All references should be checked. If this professional is from a company, it’s best to check with the Better Business Bureau to see what kind of reputation they have.

Your home should always look like it is occupied. Buy timers that will make your TVs, radios and other electronics turn on and turn off at various times. This will make your home appear as if someone is there. This is just one of the many precautions you can take to secure your home.

Make sure to use caution when deciding if and where to hide an extra key outside of your home. You don’t want to put them in common spots, such as above the frame of the door or under the doormat. Rather, think about putting a key on your outside dog’s collar.

You can hide your spare key on your dog. This approach is useful if your dog is a large breed that lives outdoor, or if your house has a doggy door. You can purchase a special collar that will hold your spare key, so when you forget your keys your dog can let you in.

Put up motion activated lighting. These are lights that turn on whenever any living thing gets too close to your home. They will signal movement to you but will also serve as deterrents to the thieves. Test the bulbs frequently, though.

Before selecting any home-security company, talk to your friends to see who they suggest. Other people will probably have personal experience with these companies that are either good or bad. They can share their experiences with you, which will greatly assist you in making the best decision. Therefore, ask everyone you can in order to obtain the most advice. With thorough advice, the best decision can be made.

Conceal valuable spaces within your walls. Don’t make it obvious by cutting out big chunks of drywall. Instead, you can use the small spaces that are already there. For example, you could take the wiring out of an electric socket that is not in use and put your valuable jewelry in there.

Remove all of the vegetation outside in the hotter months. These are vulnerable to fires and put your home in danger. Keeping your plants and bushes trimmed will benefit your family’s safety as well as the appearance of your home.

It is important that you do not put expensive valuables in plain sight. Large windows let in light and give you a great view outside, but that works both ways. If your windows are facing the street, make sure you cover them and protect your valuables.

You never want people to be able to see your valuables from outside of your home. If you have big windows near your big entertainment system, it can seem like an invitation to thieves. If your house has street-facing windows, make sure they are always covered and your make sure your valuables are hidden away.

Always lock your home when you leave it, no matter how soon you plan to return. Most break-ins and burglaries occur because a door is left open and an intruder just walks in. They can get a ton of stuff quickly and be long gone before you return.

If you’ve bought large or pricy items, avoid throwing out boxes until the day the trash is scheduled for pick-up. If you set these boxes out with the trash, thieves will know you have expensive items in your house.

Were you aware that your home’s wires are valuable? Often homeowners are unaware of this fact until they find that their wiring has been stolen. 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. To keep the wiring safe, be sure that the wire is hidden from view.

Perform landscaping for your home which enhances your home’s safety. All of your windows and doors should be unobstructed by plants, shrubs, trees or fences. These types of places provide the perfect cover for prowlers. Keep this in mind as you design.

Replace rotten wood on your door frame. Home invaders interested are able to pry off any rotted wood to get inside. Replace rotted wood with fresh wood to make your home safer.

Do not put electronic boxes in the front of your house. Don’t advertise that you have expensive new equipment! Cut up the boxes when they’re empty.

Screen the references of anyone who would have access to your house. A background check is also recommended so you know if they have a criminal history. You can never be certain if the contractor, repairman, maid, etc. that you hire to do services in your home is honest. If you let these people in without knowing anything about them, you could experience significant losses.

Are you able to see the numbers on your house from your street? In the event of an emergency, police officers may have trouble finding your house if they cannot read your address numbers. Thankfully, you can right this wrong cheaply and quickly.

When hiring a home security company, make sure to read the fine print on the contract you are signing. There may be some hidden fees, or a need to buy more equipment later. It’s best to know about these fees in advance so that you can avoid them when possible.

Your precious pooch is one of your best home security weapons. Usually, dogs protect their homes and when they sense something is wrong, they bark. There is no need for a mean, big dog either. A terrier will make enough of a fuss to stop someone from breaking in.

Having a well-lit home that’s bight in the evening can really deter crooks. That’s because they want to remain hidden. A well-lit home is like a red flag to a burglar. So keep those lights on at night for a secure home.

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Think about getting a home security system that is wireless. Wired systems might be a bit less expensive, but they often involve intrusive rewiring of your home, and can become faulty during a power outage. A wireless system, on the other hand, requires less maintenance and is simpler to install.

Don’t have spring latch locks installed. These locks are the simplest ones to breach, since they are able to be opened by using just a credit card. They can put the credit card in between the latch and door to open the lock. Put in a deadbolt for more security if your doors already contain spring latch locks.

If a friend picks up your mail while you’re away, have them check for fliers on your door. Burglars have been known to put these up, waiting to see if they are removed or not. A flier that hangs around for days on end lets burglars know that there’s no one in the home.

Don’t hide keys in obvious areas. It’s easy to see fake rocks. Hiding a key under the doormat is even worse; this cliched tactic will fool no one. Instead, you should keep your spare keys with a trusted neighbor. If you have no choice but to hide a spare key, apply some inventive, out-of-the-box thinking when you do it.

Consider installing a surveillance system. Installing hidden and visible video cameras is great for securing a home. Also, you can capture the intruder in the act. You can often view these feeds over the Internet, too.

If your lights are generally turned off at roughly the same time, consider using a timer. This makes it easy for you because you do not have to turn the switch. It also makes the lights go off and on even if you are not at home.

Do not buy spring latch locks. These locks are very easy to pick with something as common as a credit card. Intruders can just wedge the credit card in between the latch and the door, causing it to open. Put in a deadbolt for more security if your doors already contain spring latch locks.

If the door isn’t solid wood or metal, then replace it with a door that is. Metal and solid wooden doors hold tight and fast. If a burglar were to try and kick his way inside, he would have a lot of difficulty doing so. It shouldn’t be too costly to replace your exterior doors, so go do it.

Ask the company if they offer systems for lease and sale. You can avoid interest rates by buying the security system right away. Leasing is a good way to avoid the initial expense, but you will have to pay monthly fees. Evaluate both alternatives and choose the best option for yourself.

Does your security firm offer lights with motion sensors? This system will cause the lights to flicker on when someone walks up to your home. This provides additional protection for you when you come home after dark, and can also prevent a burglary.

If your door has a numeric lock, make sure the combination isn’t your birthday. Your birth date is easy information to obtain. Instead, make it a number which you can figure out through a math equation so you remember the equation instead of the number.

Homes that have sliding glass doors can be more of a security risk. They can easily be unlocked by lifting them and then shaking them. If you haven’t hooked them up to your security system, you can install some pipe to fit within your door channel. Doing this will help keep your door closed tighter, making it more difficult for burglars to break in.

An automatic device can control your lights, turning them on and off at the time you set. This makes your life a bit easier, and it means that your lights will still be lit even if you are away from long periods of time.

While gossip and scandals aren’t the most wholesome neighborhood topics, it’s best to stay in the loop. They will be the first one to notice any strangers lurking near your home. If you remain in their good graces, then, you have a better chances of finding out valuable information.

If the window of your living room faces the street, close your curtains at night. You never want to make it easy for folks to peer into your home. If potential thieves notice any expensive valuables within your home, they might target you. Use some discretion and make sure to block your valuables from view with curtains or shades.

After reading this, you should now understand how to secure your home. Remember these tips and think about the best way for you to protect your family. You will never regret taking this important step.

A home alarm can be a good investment if police are notified when it sounds. This is why it’s a great idea to consider a centrally monitored system. Neighbors won’t always be home to call.