Don’t be one of those homeowners who neglect the security of their home. To fully grasp the key elements of home security planning, some time spent researching can be quite helpful. Continue reading to learn all the different ways to help safely secure your home.

Home security systems aren’t just about sounding alarms. They can actually be set to chime whenever a monitored door is opened. This is a good way to know if your small child has opened a door or closed it.

Place your spare key securely on your dog’s collar. Of course, your dog has to be an outdoor dog (or you at least need to have a doggy door) for this to work. Latch the key on his collar and voila–you have a spare key available!

Request information from your local law enforcement agencies about home protection packages. The police can offer you some great advice, help you engrave valuables and even come check out your home. Contact your local police department to find out if they offer this type of program.

Don’t give your keys to a house cleaner unless you totally trust them. Only select service people who are totally trustworthy. Carefully check their references. If the cleaner is from a firm, try calling the local BBB to find out about the firm’s reputation.

Regardless of the quality of your home security system, you need to have it checked each year. Ask a home security employee to give it a look. The weather and animals are two things that may cause havoc on your home’s security system. Sometimes it is very difficult to see the problem if you don’t know where it is.

Keep your car in your garage. Keeping your car in your house will deter intruders from vandalizing or stealing it. Hiding it will help to deter people from tracking the times you aren’t there.

Put motion sensor lights around your house. When a person walks by your home too closely, these lights will go on. These lights will make you aware of, and can also scare off, potential burglars. Just do not forget to replace the bulbs periodically to keep them functioning at all times.

Alter the combination of the locks in your home. Anyone from an old roommate to a former tenant could have access to your home if you leave the old locks in place. It shouldn’t cost too much, and the process can be completed very quickly.

Avoid placing spare keys under door mats or in plant boxes. Remember that you are not the only one who is aware of these sorts of hiding places. For obvious reasons, experienced burglars know every possible hiding spot. The wisest course of action is to leave a spare key with a trusted friend or a reliable neighbor.

Are you aware of the value present in the wiring in your home? Many folks are not aware of this until a thief steals it. 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. Make sure the wiring is concealed or difficult to access in order to keep this valuable item safe.

Do not let people on the street see valuable items in your home. While it may be nice to look out, burglars will see your valuables inside. If you’ve got street facing windows, be sure and keep them covered.

Purchase flashlights that have good batteries, and keep them in every room in your home in case the power goes out. Flashlights are critical, and provide you with the freedom to move about as needed. Your kids should know how to work the flashlights so that everyone can help.

Choose an alarm which monitors other areas outside your doors. Intruders can enter through your windows too. Every single entry point needs to have monitoring on it. This can mean the difference between a safe home and one that is an easy target.

If you scheduled an appointment for a member of the security company to come to your house, ask them to show you some identification first. Criminals can easily pretend to be from a security firm as a means to gain entry to the house. This is dangerous to your valuables and your family. Proceed with caution.

When installing your home security system, make sure to hide the wires. One of the ways an intruder can get around a security system is by disconnecting or cutting the wires. Instead, make sure the wires are hidden. You’ll be safer.

Before you let anyone into your house, thoroughly check their references. Conduct background checks if necessary. There is no way of knowing whether or not service people are honest, so you should not give them keys to your home.

Moving into an apartment or home that you’ve lived in should involve changing the locks first to maker them safer. Though the prior occupant may have relinquished their keys, there may be copies out there. This will help safeguard that there is no one else with your key.

Ask about the history of any home security company you are considering. 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. Realizing you at involved with a stable firm will give you a sense of calm that is important.

When you consider a security company, be certain you read the details and fine print of the contract you’re about to sign. There may be hidden costs to doing business with them, including early termination fees and surprising equipment costs. Try avoiding these fees when you can so that you know about them.

Ask the home security companies to visit your home and design a system tailored to your needs. Each customer wants certain things as far as home security goes. If you’ve found a company that can tailor a system to you, you can receive the greatest amount of security to make you feel much more comfortable.

A wireless security system for your home is a great option. Wired systems might be a bit less expensive, but they often involve intrusive rewiring of your home, and can become faulty during a power outage. Wireless systems tend to be easier for installation and maintenance, and they will not go out if your power does.

Home security is crucial and one thing that many people don’t know much about. Learning about the subject is essential for anyone who is concerned about the security of their loves ones and possessions. Hopefully this article has served as a useful foundation for further investigation.

It is a good idea to invest in video surveillance for your home security system. Video cameras are a great deterrent. If a burglar can see them, they are likely to go away. It is possible to use your cell phone to look at your surveillance camera, meaning you can see your house when you’re gone.