Having someone come to your home to install a security system may seem like the most annoying project you have ever started. That said, it can also be quick and easy. Look at this advice to quickly and easily secure your home.

When placing your spare key outside for emergencies, give careful consideration to where you put it. Hiding it beneath the doormat is very common and most intruders will look there. Instead, try hiding a key on the collar of an outside dog.

Always make your house appear to be occupied. You could purchase timers which make lights and TV’s, as well as other devices, power on or off at varying intervals. This will make it look like someone is home. This is an effective deterrent against burglars.

Buy fire resistant flooring, roofing and ceiling. This will add an extra protection layer for your house, particularly if you live near power lines or in a dry location. Because of the amount of damage fires can cause, it is important to protect your home from them.

Do you have an outside dog? They may provide you with a useful place to hide your key. Put it on your dog’s collar, making sure it is hidden. If your dog does not like strangers, this can help ensure consistent access to the house.

Social networking sites are great for keeping in touch, but post information sparingly. For example, you might avoid broadcasting when you are going out of town, especially if your friends list contains casual acquaintances. While it is exciting to go to a new place and have a good time, you are letting thieves know that your house will be empty and they can come right in.

Purchase a safe to lock all of the extremely valuable items in your home in one place. This is essential, because you would never want valuable jewelry and other items to be seen by intruders. Hide your safe in a place that is hard to get to, like a basement closet or an attic.

Don’t be shy. Meet your neighbors. Ask them to watch your home if you are on vacation. Never neglect gossip. You may end up hearing about things such as odd folks roaming about the neighborhood.

Before selecting a security firm, ask for recommendations. You can benefit from the experience of others that have gone before you by paying attention to their recommendations and warnings. Do your research; it will help you make a good decision in the end.

Motion sensor lights on the exterior of your home is a great idea. They’ll flip on when people walk within a certain distance of your house. Not only will they notify you of movement, they will also deter potential burglars, as thieves want to remain as inconspicuous as possible. Remember to keep working bulbs in them at all times.

It can be a good idea to only leave one ringer on in your home when you are away. This is because a phone that is ringing and ringing can tip of a burglar that nobody is currently home.

Don’t give outside people the ability to see into your home. While having huge windows may be good for letting in light and viewing what is outside, it also gives potential thieves a good look in your own home. Cover all street-facing windows.

Remove all of the vegetation outside in the hotter months. These items have a higher chance of catching fire during the hot months. Keep your yard clear so it is a safe area.

When moving into your new house, change every lock. Although you may trust the previous homeowner, you cannot be 100% sure of their character. Don’t forget that there were likely other owners and residents in the house before the last set.

Don’t be shy. Be friendly with people that live in the neighborhood. Look out for their property, and see if they will look out for yours. You never want to ignore gossip. This might provide you with some valuable information, at times related to security, including information about potential strangers who you might not want near your home.

If you move to a place that was occupied before, you should change the locks right away. While you may trust those who lived there before you, you have no idea who lived there before them. You can purchase the locks and install them yourself to ensure you’re the only person that has a key.

Put motion sensor lights around your house. These are lights that turn on whenever any living thing gets too close to your home. This lets you know something is moving and also drives off criminals. Make sure you regularly change the light bulbs to ensure they continue to work properly.

Before you give a security company employee access to your home, make sure they’re in uniform and that they present acceptable identification. Many thieves use this tactic to enter a house. This represents a danger to your possessions and your family. Act cautiously to avoid potential dangers.

Your valuables should not be easily seen from outside your home. It may be great to have large windows with a view, but this means that people can look in. If your house has street-facing windows, make sure they are always covered and your make sure your valuables are hidden away.

Be certain to read the entire contract when you hire a home security firm. Sometimes there are hidden costs involved if you decide to let your service go before the contract expires or add additional equipment at a later point. Be aware of these particular fees so you can steer clear of them.

Entry Points

You need to make sure you’re making use of the Internet when looking at different home security companies. You can check out their packages and rates and also read some customer reviews. You can then make three solid selections and make appointments with them.

You want an alarm system that protects more than your doors. Windows are all potential entry points for burglars. You want to be sure that the alarm is connected to all windows and entry points. This is great for keeping the family secure.

Keep safety in mind when doing landscaping. Windows should be free from obstructions like trees, shrubs and fencing. These types of places provide the perfect cover for prowlers. Utilize shrubs and trees farther away in order to add beauty to your home while keeping it safe.

Rotted wood in your door framing should be replaced. Anybody wanting to break into your house can just pry off rotted wood and get inside. Replace rotting wood with new wood to stay safe.

Keep your outdoor areas well lit. Criminals like to blend into the shadows, so do your best not to provide too many for them. Install lights in areas where intruders might come. This includes doorways and porches, the garage, and windows on ground floors which may invite intruders.

Make sure to ask for identification for any home security company representative. Intruders can easy pass themselves off as an employee of a security company just to get inside your house. This means peril for what you own as well as your loved ones. Be cautious to stay away from those potential dangers.

A wireless security system could be a good option. Wired systems may be cheaper, however it usually means you’ll have to rewire your home, and your system may get finicky in the event of a power outage. On the other hand, wireless systems use their own power and have easier installations.

If you sign a contract for a security company, read all the fine print first. There could be fees for terminating the contract early or acquiring additional equipment down the road. You should avoid such expenses if you can, so make yourself aware.

If you do not already have a paper shredder, you may want to think about investing in one. Your trash contains so much personal information a thief would love to have. If a shredder is too expensive, at least tear relevant paperwork into small bits.

You can find an excellent home security company with a simple Internet search. You can check out their packages and rates and also read some customer reviews. With that information, you can make your appointments with the top three companies you’ve chosen so that you can compare pricing and look at specific monitoring and plans.

Put a surveillance system in your home. Both hidden and visible security cameras are effective in protecting your home. Most intruders are discouraged by visible cameras. But, if they attempt to disable the camera, you will still be able to see them if you have a hidden camera. Some security systems are accessible via mobile phone, which lets you look in on your house when away.

Keep safety at the forefront when landscaping your property. You should have a clear view out of all your windows and an unobstructed path to any doors. If criminals know you can see them, they are less likely to break in. Keep this in mind as you design.

A great way to deter criminals from getting into the garage is to make sure nobody sees inside it. Cover windows using frosting, which you can buy at large hardware stores, to keep people from peeking in your window. If you use your garage for working on projects, don’t forget to lock it when you’re through working for the day.

If you haven’t gotten a paper shredder, it may be time to purchase one. Many thieves sift through trash for personal info and to figure out when you plan to be away. If you can not afford to purchase a paper shredder, just rip the paper into smaller pieces.

Replace your doors with some that are solid wood or metal. Those materials will hold. This makes it much more difficult for a burglar to kick in the door and break in. Make sure to replace exterior doors for the cheapest amount possible.

From the road, are your house numbers visible? If your house numbers are not easy to see, the police may have difficulty finding you in an emergency. This is easy and inexpensive to fix if you believe there could be a problem.

Motion sensitive lighting can be provided by your security company. This is often an option from a good company. Motion sensitive lighting turns on when a person approaches your home in the dark. You will find your entrances are well-lit and safe, as will intruders.

Instead of having a home security system installed, you can take other steps to create a sense of safety for your family. Whether you feel comfortable buying a gun, putting up a fence or adding extra locks to your doors, you have several options. Keep these tips in mind and improve your home’s security.

Sliding glass doors are a big security problem in many homes. A quick heave is usually enough to open these doors, even if they’re locked. If your doors are not equipped with a security system, grab a pipe and cut it so that it fits the channel of the door. This keeps the door shut tightly and makes it difficult to force it open.