The market for home security is huge. There are burglaries that occur everyday no matter the area you live. Insecure homes are a big target. Use the information below to make sure that you are keeping your family, as well as your possessions, safe and sound.

You can hide your spare key on your dog. This really only works if you’ve got an outdoor dog or if you’ve got a pet door. You can attach a copy of your key to the dog’s collar, so when you need that spare, you’ve got one handy!

Be sure your home always looks occupied. You could purchase timers which make lights and TV’s, as well as other devices, power on or off at varying intervals. This makes it appear that someone is home. This will help to deter burglars.

Home security systems aren’t just about sounding alarms. You can have your system alert you of any movement in certain areas of your home. This isn’t just for burglars; parents with young children can also use it as a valuable tool to know when their child has come inside.

Buy a safe to keep all of your valuables in one place at home. A safe is the best way to protect your diamonds, gold and important documents. Keep the safe hidden somewhere remote.

When placing your spare key outside for emergencies, give careful consideration to where you put it. People will check your doormat and frame first. Try hiding your key on a lawn statue or in a potted plant.

Purchase ceiling, flooring and roofing that is fire resistant. This will add an extra protection layer for your house, particularly if you live near power lines or in a dry location. Fire prevention is always a good idea, and sometimes it can be a lifesaving idea!

When you’re picking out home security equipment and services, don’t forget to ask your friends and family for help. You can benefit from the experience of others that have gone before you by paying attention to their recommendations and warnings. Taking a little time to listen can make you a much better decision maker when it comes to home security.

Don’t let people into your home unless you know them. Even if they tell you a sob story about needing help, this warning remains true. Some criminals will come in, case your house and then come back when you are away.

If your garage is attached to your home, always keep it secure. It is possible for an intruder to get in the garage and then gain access to the house; however, you can do something about it. A C-clamp placed on the garage door track will stop it from opening when you don’t want it to.

Never open the door for a stranger. Burglars have many clever ways to convince householders to open the door. You should only open the door to people you were expecting.

Check with your local law enforcement agency about home protection plans. Several in various jurisdictions have programs which entail providing a home inspection, what protective measures will help your home and even how to engrave valuable items to make them easier to recover. Call them up to find out more.

When summer comes around, eliminate all vegetation and dead wood from your yard. These are vulnerable to fires and put your home in danger. Keep these cleared away regularly to maintain your home’s safety and to keep it in good shape.

If you live in a rural area, you may not be as concerned about home break-ins as people who live in the city. There are differences between large cities and homes located in the countryside. Still there are those that think that burglars are not as likely to target rural areas.

Security System

Do not hide your spare key under your doormat or in a nearby planter. Though you may think you are giving yourself a way into your home if you lose your key, you are actually inadvertently inviting intruders into your home. Thieves are aware of these hiding spots. Instead, give your extra key to a neighbor whom you trust.

Always have your security system checked each year. Your security company should send a representative to check your system. There are many reason why a home security system can have problems, and it might be the weather or wild animals that cause it to malfunction. If it’s not visible, you might not even know there’s a problem.

Be certain the wires to your home security system are neither visible nor accessible. One of the ways an intruder can get around a security system is by disconnecting or cutting the wires. To provide maximum security, wiring should be laid underground or installed safely within the walls of your house. You’ll be safer.

People who live rurally often don’t think about home security. Due to the distance between neighbors, some think rural areas are more likely to have intruders. That said, stranger things have happened.

You should find out how many years of experience your home security service has. Look for a security company that is well-established and has extensive experience in the industry. You’ll have a lot more confidence in your choice if you stick with a company that has a proven track record.

Use the space in walls to store your prized possessions. You do not have to damage your walls to keep your valuables safe. Instead, you can use the small spaces that are already there. For example, place jewelry in an unused electrical outlet.

Invite a security company to come to your house and figure out a system that will work for you. The needs and wants of each family and the configuration of each home are quite individual. If you’ve found a company that can tailor a system to you, you can receive the greatest amount of security to make you feel much more comfortable.

If you buy expensive electronics or appliances, throw the packages away the day that your trash pickup occurs. These boxes sitting outside your home serve as a flag for thieves to target your home.

It’s a good idea to install a surveillance system in your home. You can have great home security with both hidden and visible video cameras. Cameras that can be seen are an excellent tool for preventing most burglars from breaking into your home. However, if they are brave enough to try to disable your cameras, hidden cameras will capture them. A lot of surveillance cameras could be accessed through your phone, giving you the chance to check it even when you’re away.

Are you aware that your home’s wires are worth something? Many people are not aware of this until they are stolen from their home. The copper inside the wire is very valuable and may be stripped off the exterior of the house in a short time span. This is why the wiring should be hidden or difficult to get to.

The best way to keep a burglar out of your garage is to ensure no one can see inside. Use frosting to cover the garage window, so people cannot peer inside. Don’t leave doors open for long lengths of time when working there.

Landscape your home with safety in mind. Make sure that there is nothing obstructing your doors and windows. Keeping these features free of vegetation robs would-be burglars of concealment and hiding places. Plan features like these further from your home to have a safe, beautiful design.

Ask if your company offers options to both buy and lease your security equipment. Buying outright costs a lot more in the beginning, but one time costs might lower or eliminate some monthly fees that add up over time. On the other hand, while leasing is more expensive overall, it can get you a better system if you don’t have funds available immediately. You must review both options carefully to determine which will best suit your needs.

It is a good idea to get some history on any home security companies you are thinking about doing business with. A company that’s been around for a while has proven that their service is reliable. Knowing you are not dealing with a fly by night company gives you extra peace of mind when making this important decision.

You should lock all your windows, even on the second floor. A lot of people forget to lock the windows on the second floor, but intruders will use these windows. This could not be further from the truth. This is a common weak spot in most people’s home security, and thieves are very aware of this.

The areas outside your home should be kept well lit. Criminals like to blend into the shadows, so do your best not to provide too many for them. Install a light in any area a potential intruder can get into your home. Make sure your porch, garage, doorways and windows are well lit.

Try to purchase your security system direct from the company, rather than from a re-seller. A re-seller simply wants to make money, and they generally don’t have your best interests at heart. Dealing with the company directly can help ensure that your system will be installed and serviced correctly.

When you are out of the house, your drapes and blinds should be fully closed. When they are open, potential burglars get a free look in. If something desirable is visible, you can expect a break in. You should also have them down when you are sleeping.

Burglars and thieves may target your external wiring. The price for copper is through the roof, which makes it attractive to thieves. Hide your wires so thieves don’t attempt to steal it.

If your door has a numeric lock, make sure the combination isn’t your birthday. Anyone could get your date of birth from Facebook and could have access into your house. Instead, come up with a trickier password that only you will know the answer to.

Clean out all carbon monoxide and smoke detectors. Lint and dust can build up and make them less sensitive. For this reason, detectors will not do the job of detecting carbon monoxide and smoke.

Home security is vital for both your safety and the safety of your family. You never know when a criminal might strike. Create the most effective home security plan by following the tips presented here. Don’t put it off. Make sure you do something about it before something happens!

A good video surveillance system will keep most intruders away. No burglar really wears a mask. Many people who burglarize homes don’t cover their faces at all since they have no intention of ever being seen. If they spot a type of surveillance system, they usually move along.