When you keep valuable items, such as money, expensive jewelry or original objects of art in your home, you cannot make the assumption that no one is aware of this fact. Securing your home requires protection from burglars and other invaders. The following article will give you some great home security tips to help make your home a more secure place.

Man’s best friend can also be trusted to secure a spare key. If your dog lives outside or is able to come and go through a dog door, this is a viable idea. Attach the key to your dog’s collar, and it will be handy if you ever need a spare.

Do you keep your dog outdoors when you are away from home? If so, you can use your dog to hide your spare key. Attach the key to the dog’s collar so that it is hidden from view. This works very well if you have a pet that is not very fond of strangers. You will get the access you need without having to worry about your safety.

Is your dog kept outside when you are away? If so, you can use your dog to hide your spare key. Put it on their collar. If you have a pet that does not trust strangers, this can help you get into your house if needed.

Turn the ringer off on your telephone if you are going to be away. If a burglar keeps hearing your phone ring, they’ll know the home is not occupied, making it more likely for a break-in to occur.

Shop around when looking for a good home security system. Prices vary significantly, even for similar levels of protection. Get quotes from several companies before making a decision.

You should not let anyone inside your home. No matter what the excuse the person presents, keep them from entering your home. Some will come to your door just to determine how secure it is, and they may return later if they think they can easily enter your home.

Make sure to have your home inspection system maintained on at least an annual basis. This is a job for professionals; get a security firm to inspect your equipment. There are any number of problems that can cause malfunctions in your security system, from weather damage to animal activity. Sometimes it is very difficult to see the problem if you don’t know where it is.

It can be a good idea to only leave one ringer on in your home when you are away. If the phone rings without you there, burglars will suspect that you’re not home, and that can make your home a target for an attack while you’re gone.

Keep valuables hidden within the walls. This doesn’t require tearing into your walls, of course. You can find pre-cut areas in your walls that can be used. How about unwiring your electric socket and using that as an area to stash your jewelry?

Avoid leaving spare keys outside of your home. While it may seem like a convenient way to give you access to your home, intruders are aware of this practice. Thieves are aware of all these spots. Rather, give your key to a neighbor you find trustworthy.

See what the local police offer when it comes to home protection programs. They may offer things such as home inspections, engraving tool loans, and other guidance about securing your house. Discuss the possibility of this sort of program with your police department.

Don’t give outside people the ability to see into 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.

Do not choose a home alarm system that monitors only your doors. Intruders can enter through your windows too. The alarm and monitoring system should be set for all windows and doors. This will make your family safer.

Install lights that use a motion-sensor. Lights like these will automatically turn on whenever someone is near them. Not only will they notify you of movement, they will also deter potential burglars, as thieves want to remain as inconspicuous as possible. Make sure you keep fresh light bulbs in your motion activated lights so that they will work correctly.

If you’ve bought large or pricy items, avoid throwing out boxes until the day the trash is scheduled for pick-up. Having these boxes around for a while will give people an idea of what is inside your house.

You can add a great deal of security to your home by installing a system of motion activated exterior lighting. At night, the lights will keep things bright round the house, but they are also efficient and cost-effective ways to help your security. By carefully placing them around the outside of your property, you create a perimeter that cannot be breached.

The first thing to do is get your locks changed out. Maybe you’ve had a roommate leave or a bitter ex-lover, so changing the locks can keep you safer. This is something that you can do yourself and does not cost much money at all.

Before looking at home security systems, consider your personal security risks and safety needs. You might find that an alarm isn’t necessary at all. Sometimes you may just want to invest in a dog or self-defense classes. Know the risks so that you can make a better decision.

In the event you find your door open upon arriving home, you should never enter and investigate yourself. You have no way of knowing whether the thieves are still inside. Go to a neighbor’s or another safe area and call the police.

If you’ve got skylights, don’t forget about it when it comes to home security. Skylights are nice to bring extra light into your house, but they are also easy ways for burglars to enter your home. Any skylights in your home should be secured with strong hardware.

If you will be away from your home, arrange to have whoever is collecting your mail to also pick up fliers placed inside your door. Sometimes burglars leave fliers in an attempt to see if anyone is home to remove them. If the flier is not taken down, the burglar assumes the homeowner is not in town.

If you have roommates or kids who you do not want in certain areas of the house, you do not have to lock the doors and carry around a ton of keys. You can instead get key-less locks that work using a code. You could install these locks yourself. Or, you may have a security company to do it for you.

You can hide your valuable items inside your walls. It is not necessary to cut out pieces from your wall. Many places around your house have areas that are already pre-cut. An unused outlet can be taken apart, and the space used to create a tiny hidden safe.

Talk to your security company about the contract; in particular, inquire about the various contract lengths that are available to you. There are going to be ups and downs for each one. A long term contract should have a lower monthly rate but it also requires you to commit for a long period of time. Short contracts leave you with freedom, but also a larger bill.

Never assume that burglars won’t target your home. Be prepared. Don’t live in fear, but be sure and take the steps to protect yourself. Follow the excellent tips presented here to provide your home, your family and yourself with great security.

Don’t put spare keys inside plant boxes or beneath the welcome mat. Remember that you are not the only one who is aware of these sorts of hiding places. Intruders know about the usual hiding spots. Rather, keep your spare keys with a neighbor you trust.