Maybe you’ve been considering installing a security system for your home. Lots of people dive right into it without thinking if it’s right for them. Locking your doors at all times and other simple ideas can make a huge difference.

Your dog can keep your spare house key for you. If your dog lives outside or is able to come and go through a dog door, this is a viable idea. You can purchase a special collar that will hold your spare key, so when you forget your keys your dog can let you in.

Providing a key to the person cleaning your home can be acceptable, but you must be sure they are honest and worthy of your confidence. If you do give your housekeeper a key or plan on doing so, it is imperative that they are honest and upstanding. It is best to do a reference check on them. Contact your local Better Business Bureau to find out more about the reputation of the cleaner you hired.

Is your ceiling resistant to fire? What about your flooring or roofing? Your home will get added protection, especially if your environment is dry and has power lines. Preventing a fire is important since it can cause a lot of damage.

Consider the advice of your friends when selecting your home security company. They may have had experiences with certain companies and can lead you in the right direction. Making a great choice is important, so this advice will come in handy.

If you like to have a key hidden in case you lose yours, place it in a safe place. It is very common for homeowners to hide them under a mat or above the framing of their door, and intruders know this. Try hiding your key somewhere more unique, like your outside dog’s collar.

Be sure to keep your car in your garage rather than filling your garage with stored belongings. In this way, your car will be safer. A car kept locked in a garage is much less likely to be stolen or damaged. This will also make it more difficult for burglars to track when you away from home.

You can hide things in your walls. You should think about hiding certain small valuables within your walls. You could use a phone jack, electrical outlet or a switch plate. Installing a false unused plate is very easy to do if your home doesn’t have one.

Don’t let people into your home unless you know them. Even if someone has a good story, requires help or has a great product to sell, ignore them. Some criminals will come in, case your house and then come back when you are away.

Valuable Items

Do not let people on the street see valuable items in your home. Large windows at the home’s front can be beautiful, but it can make it easier for criminals to see inside. Keep your curtains drawn to keep your valuable items safe.

Motion sensor lights on the exterior of your home is a great idea. These are lights that turn on whenever any living thing gets too close to your home. Motion-sensitive lights will alert you to movement and deter people who want to break into your home. Don’t forget to replace the bulbs when they burn out.

You should have several flashlights and batteries in all your rooms. They give you and your family the opportunity to move around should the electricity go out. Teach everyone in your home to use the flashlights so all family members can see and help each other.

Keep your home’s exterior areas illuminated well. Nothing is as attractive to a burglar as a dark, deeply-shadowed house. Install lighting anywhere a possible intruder might break in. Over doors, near windows and especially your back yard need to be lit.

If you’ve got skylights, don’t forget about it when it comes to home security. Though skylights bring light into your home and look nice, it is also a very common way for burglars to get into your home. Your skylights should have strong components that can withstand tampering.

Buy a paper shredder. A thief looking through your discarded papers can find a lot of information you do not want them to have. They may even learn your schedule, so they can burgle your home while you are away. If you can’t afford to buy a paper shredder, tear your papers up into tiny bits before throwing them away.

If you’re planning to be out of your home for a period of time, have a neighbor remove any fliers placed on your door. Some burglars place fliers to see if they’ll be quickly removed. A flier that hangs around for days on end lets burglars know that there’s no one in the home.

Never place a spare key in a plant box or under your welcome mat. 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. Rather, give your key to a neighbor you find trustworthy.

Put the boxes of any expensive electronic items in your trash can so would-be burglars won’t know see them. Burglars will notice these boxes and know what kind of valuables you have. When you have emptied the boxes, make sure you cut them up.

One of the best home burglary systems is man’s best friend. Man’s best friend is very territorial and makes a lot of noise during anything happening out of the ordinary. That is not to say that a big, scary dog is required. Even the barking of a tiny dog can repel potential burglars, who want to avoid noises as they carry out their crimes.

Be sure to replace rotten wood in the frame of your front door. Rotted wood can be easily removed by thieves. Replace wood that is starting to rot with fresh new wood to keep your home as safe as possible.

Credit Card

Steer clear of locks with spring latches. Spring latch locks are the easiest locks to gain entry with, as they can be opened with a simple credit card. They can put the credit card in between the latch and door to open the lock. Add a deadbolt if you do not want to replace your spring latch locks.

Purchase flashlights that have good batteries, and keep them in every room in your home in case the power goes out. Flashlights are essential since they let you move around in an emergency. Teach your children how to use the flashlights so that everyone in your household can help.

When checking out security companies, ask whether they allow you to choose between buying or leasing the system. While you will pay more to buy, you don’t have to keep paying for it month after month. Sometimes it’s more affordable to begin with a lease, even though a continued lease may be costly in terms of ongoing higher monthly fees. It is worthwhile checking out both possibilities before you decide on which is best.

Your auto registration is best kept somewhere other than your glove compartment. If someone accesses these documents, they can determine your address. You should make sure to keep them on you, or store them somewhere safe in your car. If a cop pulls you over, you will need them anyway.

Add motion detector lighting to the exterior of your home for increased security. In the dark hours, these lights will provide the illumination necessary to protect your home and also save money by staying off when they’re not needed. By carefully placing them around the outside of your property, you create a perimeter that cannot be breached.

A home security system may be the right choice for you and your family. The case might be that you need to change the way things are done around your house. Ensure you thoroughly research your options so you can select the best home-security plan for your home.