How much do you understand about home security? If you find that you are lost when it comes to this decision for your home, then you need to learn more on the subject. An alarm system is a significant investment and you need to know what you are buying.

Your faithful dog makes a great hiding spot for a spare key. This is only true if yours in an outdoor dog, or your house is equipped with a doggie door. Hide a key inside the collar of your dog in case you need a spare.

If there are people you don’t know that have access to your social media sites, then you don’t want to let all of them know you’re on vacation. It’s great to see new places and take a lot of photos, but posting them while still overseas lets thieves know your home is empty.

Does your canine stay in the yard while you go out? If so, you can use your dog to hide your spare key. Hook your key to the dog’s collar in a place that is shielded from view. This is very effective if your pet is afraid of strangers; therefore, burglars are not very likely to notice the key.

Consider the advice of your friends when selecting your home security company. 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. Making a great choice is important, so this advice will come in handy.

Buy a safe and use it to hold all of the valuables in your home. If an intruder breaks into your home, at least these valuables will be secure. Hide that safe in a difficult-to-reach place like in a closet inside your basement or an attic.

If you will be away from your house for an extended period of time, turn the ringers off for all your phones. Intruders might be attracted by a phone that rings constantly without anyone picking up.

Never open up your door to a stranger. People are coming up with all sorts of ways to convince people to open their door to them, with the intent of committing burglary or worse. Only open the door for people you are expecting.

Never let a stranger inside. Even if this stranger has a believable story or is trying to sell you something, do not let them in. Some people just want to know if there is a security system so they can plan on coming back later or not.

In the summer, remove all the dead trees from your yard. These can be fire hazards and can cause damage to your home. Clear up your yard so it looks good and is safe.

Security System

Use your garage for what it was intended: your car. You will not have to worry about thieves taking your car if it is inside your garage. If you keep your car in the garage instead of in the driveway, it is harder for thieves to know whether you are at home or not.

Even if you have a great security system, it must be checked annually. Call the company and have them send someone to check it out. There are any number of problems that can cause malfunctions in your security system, from weather damage to animal activity. You might be unaware of problems that arise in some cases.

Try not to have a shy attitude. Meet your neighbors. Ask them to keep an eye on your home, and do the same thing for them. You never want to ignore gossip. Important security details (like the presence of strangers in your neighborhood) can come out of the most innocent conversations.

You have a choice on who installs your security system, don’t be afraid to say no if something doesn’t feel right. If you don’t feel comfortable with the technician, don’t allow them access to your home. There is nothing wrong with asking for a different technician if you’re uneasy. You want your new system to protect you, not be the way the thief gets into your home.

Install lights that use a motion-sensor. These lights will come on if someone walks near your house. You will receive advance warning of any potential issues, and a would-be intruder will probably be scared off. Just do not forget to replace the bulbs periodically to keep them functioning at all times.

You can hide your valuable items inside your walls. It’s not necessary to cut out parts of your wall to do this. There should be pre-cut spaces throughout your home that will suffice. Perhaps you can use an old electricity socket as a place to hide your valuables.

Changing the locks is a fundamental part of adding security to the home. Whether an old roommate left or a relationship ended, changing your locks is a good idea. It is inexpensive, and most locksmiths will be available for next day appointments.

Entry Points

Be sure to replace all of the old locks as soon as you move into a new domicile. Regardless of how trustworthy you consider the last owners to be, neither you nor they can be sure that there aren’t others out there with keys to those locks. Keep in mind that other families might have lived with them, too.

Purchase an alarm system that has a few “bells and whistles;” you don’t just need protection for your doors. Windows are all potential entry points for burglars. Make sure the alarm is attached to all of them, and that monitoring is offered for all possible entry points. They are the most effective.

Believe it or not, the wires on your house are worth stealing. A lot of people don’t realize this fact until a robber steals it from their home. Experienced criminals can make a decent amount of money quickly by stripping copper wiring off of houses in order to sell it at a scrapyard. To keep the wiring safe, be sure that the wire is hidden from view.

If your home security system is installed, be sure its wires are well-hidden. You don’t want a burglar to get access to them and disable your system. Make sure the wires are installed inside the walls of your home. Your safety will increase.

If you’re hiring a company for home security, be sure to read any fine print before you sign that contract. 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. You can easily avoid these fees if you do your research.

If you are throwing away the box an expensive item came in, wait until trash day to put the box out. If you leave the boxes out all week, it lets people know what type of items you have in your home.

You need to make sure you’re making use of the Internet when looking at different home security companies. Go through different websites and investigate testimonials about different companies and packages. Once you have selected a few potential home security providers, set appointments to interview them and find out what they have on offer.

When a security company wants in your home ask for an ID and see if they’re in uniform. Intruders could disguise themselves to inspect your home. This is a danger to your belongings and your family. Take care to steer clear of danger.

Your landscaping should be designed based on what will be safest for your home. All of your windows and doors should be unobstructed by plants, shrubs, trees or fences. If criminals know you can see them, they are less likely to break in. Utilize shrubs and trees farther away in order to add beauty to your home while keeping it safe.

Do you feel better since you know more about security systems for your home? The more you’re learning, the better it will be when you have to make this decision. Remember what you’ve read as you begin your home security plans.

Think about getting a wireless security system for the home. Although wired systems are usually more affordable, they usually involve changing out the wires of your home. As a result, if a power outage occurs, these wires will probably not be effective. A wireless security system is easy to install and take care of. Additionally, this type of system is not dependent upon the electrical system of the home.