How much would you pay for good home security? Have you come to believe that you simply cannot afford the services of a security company? Would you like to find a more affordable way to live a secure life? The security solutions you need may be just around the corner, waiting to make you and your home safer. Read on for home security tips, both big and small.

Be smart about where you decide to hide spare keys. You don’t want to put them in common spots, such as above the frame of the door or under the doormat. Think outside the box and put the key someplace unusual, like hidden in your dog’s collar.

Once you buy a house, switch out the locks. You never know how many copies of the keys the previous owners made and handed out. Call a locksmith to make sure you’re the only one with access to your home. This is also a good idea in the event that you misplace your keys.

Before selecting any home-security company, talk to your friends to see who they suggest. They may have had experiences with certain companies and can lead you in the right direction. Ask a few different people to help you make the best choice.

If you have an attached garage, make sure it is secure. Intruders can enter your home through an unlocked garage door. If your garage lifts up on a track, try using a C-clamp. This will prevent your door from opening up if the clamp is close to its roller.

Hide your spare key in a place where no one would think to look for it. Intruders will think to look on the top if a door frame and under a doormat. Try hiding your key on a lawn statue or in a potted plant.

Put up motion activated lighting. They will illuminate your property if they sense any movement near your home. Motion-sensitive lights will alert you to movement and deter people who want to break into your home. Remember that the bulbs need to be changed so that the lights keep working.

Hide your valuables in the walls. You can hide small valuables inside the walls. Target any unused phone jacks or electrical outlets for an easy hiding spot. Even if every single plate in your home is being used, you can purchase a fake one purpose-built for concealing valuables.

Shut off phone ringers inside the home if you’re going to be gone for quite a while. If your phone rings and is not being answered, criminals will realize that you’re away.

Don’t ever put your spare key under your doormat or in a planter. You may believe you are making life easier for yourself, but you may just be giving thieves simple access to your house. Burglars are well aware of such hiding places. You should have a trusted neighbor keep a spare key.

Keep your home security system’s wires under cover. Intruders can get around security systems and into a home by cutting the wires. Do not make things simple for a burglar, but rather bury all wires or hide them in the wall. Your system will be far more effective this way.

In the summer, remove vegetation and dead wood from your yard. You risk a house fire if that sits there during the heat of the summer and catches fire. Keep your yard clear so it is a safe area.

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 your whole family knows where to find them and how to operate them.

Check someone’s references carefully before letting them come into your home. It wouldn’t hurt to also perform a background check. You don’t know whether the contractor, maid, or repairman that you’ve hired is trustworthy and handing them your keys could be a costly mistake.

An extremely important tactic for keeping your home safe is changing out the locks. Not everyone who leaves your house will leave happy, and a fresh set of locks will protect you from both former residents and acquaintances of your own looking to cause mischief. It’s generally cheap can can take less than a day to do.

When you hire a type of home security company, read the contract’s fine print before signing. There are sometimes fees if you break a contract or need additional equipment. Avoid as many fees as you can by reading everything.

Keep your home’s exterior areas illuminated well. Nothing is as attractive to a burglar as a dark, deeply-shadowed house. The most important parts of your home to light are all of its potential access points. Be sure to consider your front and back porch, garage, ground floor windows and any basement entryway.

Avoid leaving spare keys outside of your home. Keeping a spare key is convenient but intruders will have access to your home if your key is too easy to find. Burglars are familiar with these hiding spots. You should have a trusted neighbor keep a spare key.

Before checking out security systems for your home, think about your personal security and safety needs. You might find that an alarm isn’t necessary at all. In some situations, having a good dog and/or learning some self defense may be all that you really need to feel safe. Understand completely the risks and rewards in order to make an informed purchase decision.

Home security does depend on what exactly you can afford. When you are unable to afford these measures, however, this shouldn’t mean you can’t have peace of mind. Apply all the tips you read in this article to keep your family safe. They may be the best defense and worth the cost.

You should have several flashlights and batteries in all your rooms. They will help you get around in case your entire home is dark. If you have kids, teach them how to properly use the flashlights so everyone in the family can help out during a power outage.