Surely, you know how important it is to keep your dwelling safe. To have the sanctity of your home violated is a terrible feeling, one that should be avoided at all costs. You make a huge monetary and emotional investment in your home. Read on for advice to keep this most precious asset secure.

Compare different systems when looking into home security. You would be surprised to see that the prices are much different for each company, even though it’s for the same type of protection. Make sure you get quotes from at least three companies before you decide on which one you think is the best option.

Carefully consider where you hide your outside spare key. Avoid cliched hiding places like over the door frame or beneath the doormat. Experienced criminals will check these places immediately. You should hide it in your dog’s collar.

Make sure the ringer on any phones in your home is turned off when you leave for vacation. A ringing phone that goes unanswered may signal to a burglar that nobody is home.

Don’t let strangers enter your house. Remember that intruders have a lot of experience with tricking people. Some folks will enter to scout for security systems, and upon seeing you lack one, will resolve to return at a later time.

Don’t allow anyone you don’t know to look into your house. 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.

You have a choice on who installs your security system, don’t be afraid to say no if something doesn’t feel right. If the installers give you the heebie-jeebies, it’s not a good sign. Do not hesitate to ask for a different person to install the system or even consider hiring a different company. The purpose of using the company is to calm your uneasiness, not worsen it.

Don’t open your door for strangers. You never know who they might be, despite their story. Make it mandatory that doors in your home are only opened for expected visitors.

Be sure to secure the skylights to your home. As nice as they look, they’re a prime target for thieves. Make sure your skylights have reliable, heavy duty hardware in place.

You should clean your yard of vegetation and dead wood. They are a potential fire hazard during warmer months. Clear your yard often if you want to prevent a fire from starting.

Avoid placing spare keys under door mats or in plant boxes. You may believe you are making life easier for yourself, but you may just be giving thieves simple access to your house. Thieves are aware of the best hiding spots. If you have a neighbor you can trust, have them hold your extra key.

Is your garage used for storage? Consider removing those items and keeping your car there instead. It will be far more secure against thieves. You will not have to worry about thieves taking your car if it is inside your garage. When your car is hidden, it will be hard for intruders to tell if you are home or not.

You should always lock up your house, even if you’re only planning to be gone for a short time. It might shock you to learn that most break-ins occur due to unlocked doors. It does not take long for thieves to steal a lot from your home.

Switch your locks. Maybe you had a roommate move out or have a disgruntled ex-lover, changing the locks is the best way to keep yourself safe. Changing locks is not very expensive and should be done within a few hours.

Choose an alarm which monitors other areas outside your doors. Each window represents a possible entry for your thief. Each point of entry for your home should be monitored by the system. This is just one more thing you can do to protect your home.

Skylights need to be secure, too. They look great and provide light, but also are another access point. Your skylights need durable and reliable hardware for true protection.

The wiring on your house is valuable to burglars. Some intruders could strip your home of every bit of copper. The copper component of wiring is very valuable and may be stripped from the outside of your home in a fairly short amount of time. To keep the wiring safe, be sure that the wire is hidden from view.

A secure hiding place can be created in a wall. If you own smaller things that need protection, think about keeping them hidden in the walls. Place them in switch plates, phone jacks or an electric outlet. If you’re using all your outlets, you can install phony ones.

When you hire a type of home security company, read the contract’s fine print before signing. Look out for hidden charges and surprises, especially if you need to cancel the contract early. It is best to know all you can about a service you sign up for.

When you pick an alarm system, it’s a good idea to get one that provides protection for both doors and windows. Windows are a way for thieves to enter your home as well. Be certain they are also alarmed and monitored. They are the most effective.

Having your home lit up and bright at night is a great deterrent to crooks. They wish to avoid detection. A well-lit home will make it hard for intruders to hide and take your valuables without being detected. Make sure the lights stay on to keep your home safe.

Don’t leave the packaging from any electronics or expensive purchases sitting on the curb until trash day. Empty boxes for expensive new gear serve as advertisements to potentials thieves; don’t make it easy for them to spot such tempting targets.

Keep safety in mind when doing landscaping. All doors and windows must be unobstructed by shrubs, trees, fences, or plants. With areas like these visible, there will be no hiding while attempting a break-in. This should be planned in advance for your safety.

Get flashlights with good batteries, and have them in each room in case you lose power. Having a well-charged flashlight on hand is very beneficial in case of emergency. Teach your children how to properly use flashlights.

You should find a home security company that will inspect your home and put together a customized system. Every homeowner has specific needs for their home and their family. A good company will tailor your security plan to the needs of you and your family.

Be sure to read all of the fine print to any contracts you plan on signing for a security company. There are early termination fees, and there may be fees for extra equipment procured in the future. You’ll want to avoid any surprises so be sure and read your contract carefully.

Security Systems

Have your home security company inspect your home and suggest safety improvements. You need some features which other families may wish to do without. When you don’t want to compromise in any way on the safety and security of your home, a custom-built system is usually the way to go.

Consider your security risk and safety needs before purchasing home security systems. Although they can be very helpful, security systems aren’t always necessary. You could, for instance, invest in an alarm system, some outside lights, adopt a dog or take some self-defense classes. Be aware of your risks to make an intelligent purchasing decisions.

You need to think about what you need as far as home security before you look at different systems. Some systems might not be adaptable to your situation. Sometimes you may just want to invest in a dog or self-defense classes. See to it that you understand the risks involved in making these purchasing decisions.

As was proven in the article above, it doesn’t have to be all that hard to maintain a safe home. You simply need to educate yourself on home security. Utilize these great ideas in order to maximize the security of your home. Apply the tips in this article and feel safe at home.

If you don’t own a paper shredder, it would be a good idea for you to buy one. Thieves often dig through garbage to obtain personal data that will help them enter the house. Rip your important papers up before throwing them away if you can’t get a shredder.