How much do you value your home security? Are you having a hard time finding a home security system you can afford? Do you need something more affordable? Thankfully, now there are! This article contains some inexpensive home security tips.

Your home should looked occupied all the time. Timers can be used to turn lights and televisions on and off when required. This will give your home the appearance of someone being there. This is an excellent technique that helps avoid robberies while keeping the property safe.

Do not give the key to your home to your cleaning person unless you are certain they are worthy of your trust. If you do give your housekeeper a key or plan on doing so, it is imperative that they are honest and upstanding. Check their references fully. If the cleaner is from a firm, try calling the local BBB to find out about the firm’s reputation.

Do you keep your dog outdoors when you go out? This pet may be an excellent storing spot for your spare key. Attach the key inside their collar and make sure it can’t be seen. This is very effective if your pet is afraid of strangers; therefore, burglars are not very likely to notice the key.

Buy roofing, flooring and interior paneling that is flame resistant. This adds an extra layer of protection to your home, especially if you live in a very dry area with power lines. It’s best to prevent a fire before it starts.

If your home has a lot of valuable items inside, then you need to purchase a safe so that all of these items can be kept in a single location. This is essential, because you would never want valuable jewelry and other items to be seen by intruders. Keep the safe hidden in a hard-to-find location like an attic or a basement closet.

If you will be gone for an extended period, turn the ringers off on all telephones in the home. If your phone rings and is not being answered, criminals will realize that you’re away.

The materials of your home should be fire resistant. This can help your home be safer. Avoiding fire hazards is a great way to keep things safe.

Don’t let strangers enter your house. Even people who claim to need help may be out to harm you. Even home security representatives could be intruders who want to check the kind of protection you have.

Don’t let people into your house that you don’t know. Be wary of those who come to your door selling products, asking for help, or telling sob stories. It’s quite possible that your charming guest is only interested in evaluating the security of your home; if they find it lacking, they may be back later to relieve you of some of your possessions.

Get rid of all of the dead wood and vegetation in your yard during the summer months. These can pose a fire hazard due to heat and storms with lightning. To make sure your home is safer, clear your yard periodically.

During the summer, remove all vegetation and dead wood from your yard. These can be fire hazards and can cause damage to your home. Be sure all sorts of flammable items are kept under control around your home.

It is important that you check your home security system periodically, at least once a year. Get a security comapny tech to check it. There are many things that can be problematic with regards to home security systems, like wayward wild animals and the environment. There are always ways your home is vulnerable, even if you don’t know it.

Those that live in rural area are not as concerned about having their home invaded as those who are located in the city. Some people think that country folk are mainly targeted since they don’t have nearby neighbors. Some think that there are less burglars in rural areas.

Those that live in rural area are not as concerned about having their home invaded as those who are located in the city. On a different note, some people believe homeowners in more rural areas are more likely to experience robberies because of the lack of nearby neighbors. You need to do some research on the areas where you live to get an idea of how frequent break ins are.

When allowing a representative from any security company to enter your home, look for someone in uniform and ask to see an identification. It is easy for potential thieves to present themselves as representatives of a company in order to gain access to your home. This puts your household and valuables at considerable risk. Caution is always advisable if dangers like this are to be avoided.

If you are throwing away the box an expensive item came in, wait until trash day to put the box out. These boxes sitting outside your home serve as a flag for thieves to target your home.

If you wish to boot your home’s security, one cheap way to do this is to buy exterior lights with motion detectors. Cost-effective and aesthetically pleasing, these lights really add value to your home. Positioned correctly, these lights can make it impossible for intruders to get on your property undetected.

Rotten wood on door and window frames needs to be repaired. A burglar can easily strip away wood that has rotted. As a result, this will assist them in breaking into your home. Replace rotting wood with fresh wood to improve your home’s security.

A good way to scare off intruders is to keep your house lit at nighttime. They do not want to be seen. A well-lit home is like a red flag to a burglar. Make sure the lights stay on to keep your home safe.

Plug a rechargeable flashlight into an outlet in each room of your house in the event of power outage. It is extremely important that you have flashlights because they allow you to move around easier in the dark, which is especially useful in an emergency. Teach everyone in your home to use the flashlights so all family members can see and help each other.

Whenever seeking out home-security companies, the Internet can be a valuable resource, so utilize it. You can check out their packages and rates and also read some customer reviews. Once you do this, make appointments with the three best companies you find so that you can compare pricing and other important details.

Anytime a security installer comes to the house, make sure they display proper identification. It is very common for thieves to pretend to be company reps in order to get into your home. This is a danger to your belongings and your family. Be cautious to stay safe.

There are wireless systems available for home security, as another option. It may cost less to get a wired system; however, rewiring to accommodate the system may be difficult. Additionally, power outages may negatively impact your system. The wireless systems are simpler to maintain and install and they don’t need power from the home to run.

Criminals are much less likely to target your home if it’s well lit. Most intruders avoid anything that could reveal their identity. It makes it look like you are home and makes it difficult for thieves to hide. That’s why it’s a good idea to light your home well for optimum safety.

If you don’t have a paper shredder, you might want to buy one. Thieves often look through garbage, trying to find credit card information or other important documents. If you can not afford to purchase a paper shredder, just rip the paper into smaller pieces.

Ask your home security company how long they have been in business before you sign up for service. A company that has been in business for several years has shown that they can sustain in this industry and proven they provide reliable services that people recommend. It can ease your mind when you know you’re not doing business with a company that might not be around tomorrow.

You need a home security system. Having visible or hidden cameras can help immensely. 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.

Be sure and keep the outside of your house well lit. Darkness allows for all sorts of nefarious activities. Install a light in any area a potential intruder can get into your home. Over doors, near windows and especially your back yard need to be lit.

Keep blinds, shades, and curtains closed when you’re not home. Keeping them up can let intruders see directly inside your home. It could be enticing to break in if they notice something that’s nice. You should also have them down when you are sleeping.

Think about a wireless security system for your home. These systems are much more efficient and can save you time and hassle. Wireless systems are much easier to maintain and also to install, and they are not reliant on your central power source.

Don’t hide your key somewhere obvious. Rocks that aren’t real are easy to notice. Under your doormat is also a common place burglars will look. It’s best to ask a trusted friend or even a neighbor to hold the extra key. If you cannot do that, at least find an unusual place to hide the key.

Shred any documents and junk mail that contains identifying information. Thieves are likely to steal documents that include your personal information if they can find them. Rip your important papers up before throwing them away if you can’t get a shredder.

Do not make a number-code password your birthday or other obvious number. Anyone can get your birthdate off mail or your Facebook page and will therefore have access to your home. Use a number you can remember through some trick of memory known only to you, making it difficult for someone else to figure it out.

There is no need to have keyed locks on interior doors. You can have key-less locks which require a code. Any good security company can provide and install these locks, or you can even put them in yourself.

Put in a door that is solid wood or metal. Doors made of metal or wood are much sturdier than those that aren’t. If a thief tried to kick the door, he would not be successful in doing so. Make sure to replace exterior doors for the cheapest amount possible.

Ask the company if they offer systems for lease and sale. Purchasing equipment outright will cost more initially, but may offer savings over the long term. Leasing is usually cheaper, but monthly fees can be high and you will need a contract. Look at both of these to see what works for you.

Always lock all your windows, even the ones on the second floor. Many folks forget about these, thinking ignorantly that burglars don’t check. Burglars watch for open second story windows. A burglar will attempt to get in any way they can.

Price plays a major role in home security. While some options might seem rather expensive, there are always cheaper methods as well. This article should have presented a number of tips that you can use to make your home more secure. They might be your best defense and the best bang for your buck.

Deadbolts featuring captive keylocks are usually your wisest choice. Deadbolts have a thumb latch for an extra layer of protection. Any time your are in your home, the key should be left in the lock. This allows you to escape quickly in the event of a fire.