Many people dread the hassle that comes with installing a professional home security system. This process doesn’t have to inconvenience you. Use the information in the body of this article to smooth the road to home safety.

Do you have an outside dog? They may provide you with a useful place to hide your key. Attach the key inside their collar and make sure it can’t be seen. This is an especially good idea if your dog doesn’t like strangers, and gives you easy access to get in your home.

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. You can purchase a special collar that will hold your spare key, so when you forget your keys your dog can let you in.

Home security systems are able to do more than just sounding the alarm whenever you have an intruder. Most of them can be programmed to alert you to anyone entering your home. This is important to parents who have small children, because they will want to know if the children have opened a door.

Buy fire resistant roofing, flooring and ceiling materials. This adds an extra layer of protection to your home, especially if you live in a very dry area with power lines. Preventing a fire hazard is one of the safest precautions that you can take due to the level of destruction that it can cause.

Always have the locks changed when you buy a new home. This is because you really have no idea who has keys, and therefore access to your home. Hire a locksmith so that you can be sure you are the only person who can access your home. This is also the thing to do if you lose the keys.

You should mute your land line phone if you are going on a vacation. If the phone rings when you are away, burglars will know there’s nobody home, making the house vulnerable to a break-in when you are out.

Secure your garage. There is a solution for people that are worried about burglars going into their home through an attached garage. If your garage door happens to lift on a track, using a C-clamp can help. the C-clamp prevents the door from opening if it’s tightened on the track close to the roller.

Let a house cleaner have your keys only if they can provide you with references so you can verify their trustworthiness. Before you give a cleaner full access to your home for extended periods of time, you have to be certain that they’re trustworthy and reliable. Check references thoroughly. If the cleaner is from a firm, try calling the local BBB to find out about the firm’s reputation.

If you’ve got a garage, boost home security just by using it for only a car instead of storage. You will not have to worry about thieves taking your car if it is inside your garage. It will also keep any intruders from knowing when you’re home.

Install motion-sensor lights. These lights will come on if someone walks near your house. These lights will make you aware of, and can also scare off, potential burglars. However, make sure to put in fresh bulbs every now and then.

Look at the prices for all of the security systems that you are interested in. The prices can vary a great deal for the same level of protection from company to company. Get quotes from several companies before making a decision.

Don’t put extra keys under doormats or in planters. Keeping a spare key is convenient but intruders will have access to your home if your key is too easy to find. For obvious reasons, experienced burglars know every possible hiding spot. Rather, give the key to a neighbor to hold.

When selecting a home alarm system, choose one that protects many areas of your home, not just the doors. Windows need to be monitored too. Every single entry point needs to have monitoring on it. This helps ensure your family stays safe.

If your social networking accounts are filled with folks you do not really know, do not announce vacations on the sites. While you may want to shout it from the rooftops, you’re letting everyone know that your home will be vacant and easy to rob.

If you install a security system, make certain to hide the wires well. A burglar will simply cut the wires if he can see them. This makes it much easier for a thief to get inside your home. Keep the wires protected. This helps keep you and your family safe.

A dog is an excellent burglary deterrent system. Usually, dogs protect their homes and when they sense something is wrong, they bark. You don’t have to have a huge, violent guard dog, though. Even a small dog will deter intruders, who do not want a lot of noise when they commit their crimes.

If your garage is attached to your home, always keep it secure. There is a way to prevent burglars from entering your home through the garage. Get a C-clamp to secure your garage door if it is mounted on a track.

If you live alone or with other responsible adults, there is no need to lock off areas of your home to prevent access. 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.

Ask about the different contract durations that a security company can offer you. There are going to be ups and downs for each one. Your bill may be lower with a long-term contract, but you could wind up paying for a service you’re not using if you decide to move. With a shorter contract, you will have a greater level of flexibility. The downside is you will also have larger monthly bills.

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. Keeping the car inside is a good way to keep criminals from stealing or harming it. Keeping your car out of sight is also good for thwarting burglars’ attempts to determine when you are likely to be away from home.

Ask whether or not your home security company gives you the option to lease and/or buy your equipment. Buying equipment may be initially more expensive, but cheaper in the longer term. Leasing is cheaper, but it can involve contracts and pricier monthly fees. Check out both options to discover the best one for you. The option that’s best for one person may not be best for another.

Don’t put the registration to your car in your glove box. This isn’t smart since anybody who gets them is going to know your address. Hold these documents in person so you know where they are at all times. You must have them on hand if the police stop you.

Get in the habit of checking your security system regularly. This should be performed by a technician from your security company. Many different things can make problems for your security system. Sometimes it is very difficult to see the problem if you don’t know where it is.

If you want to hide your house key, find a spot that is not obvious. Fake rocks are very easy to spot. Many people will look under your doormat. A friend or neighbor can be a much better key holder than an inanimate object. When this isn’t an option, you should at least use your imagination when choosing a hiding place.

Find out if your alarm company offers lighting with motion sensors. Most companies will offer this service, and it illuminates the outside of the house whenever there is any movement. This makes your home safer because it warns intruders away.

When having a company install your security system, you must trust your feelings. This is especially important when it comes to the company employees who will be installing your system. Never be afraid to ask for a new installer or to get an entirely new firm. You want your new system to protect you, not be the way the thief gets into your home.

There is more to security than installing alarms. Purchasing a firearm, building a fence and acquiring additional locks are all options available to you. Continue using these tips until your home is secure.