Do you seek great ideas in home protection? You have to learn all you can. Use all of these strategies to keep a safer home. Become educated about home security by reading this article.

Have your home always look occupied. Timers can be used to turn lights and televisions on and off when required. Potential intruders will stay away from your home if they believe someone is inside. This is a great way to keep your home safe and avoid burglaries.

Protect your spare key by using your dog. This is a great idea if your dog is outside all the time, or they can get out through a doggy door. Just hide a spare house key on the inside of your dog’s collar. Then when you need an extra key, you will be able to access this one.

Make sure that you change the locks once you’ve taken possession of the house. You never know how many copies of the keys the previous owners made and handed out. Changing the locks will give you peace of mind that you and your family are the only ones who have access to your home. You should also do this if your keys ever get lost.

Buy a safe to contain everything of great value. This is very important, as you do not want your gold, diamonds and personal items exposed if someone were to break into your house. The safe should be situated in an inconspicuous area of your home.

Do you let your dog outside when you leave the house? This is a good spot for keeping your spare key. Fasten the key to your dog’s collar to hide it from view. If you have a pet that does not trust strangers, this can help you get into your house if needed.

Be sure your roof, floors, and ceiling are fire resistant. Your home will get added protection, especially if your environment is dry and has power lines. Fire is such a destructive force that it makes excellent sense to reduce fire hazards in your home whenever possible.

Buy fire resistant roofing, flooring and ceiling materials. This can help your home be safer. Keeping fire hazards away is a great safety precaution since fire can cause lots of destruction.

Don’t let any person you don’t completely know into your house. Even if this stranger has a believable story or is trying to sell you something, do not let them in. Some people want to enter your home just to see if there is a security system in place. They may be scoping the place to come back when you’re gone.

Consult with your police department to find out about good programs for home protection. Many police departments will offer expert advice, arrange inspections, sponsor neighborhood watches, and help you mark and register your valuables. Talk with local police to see if they offer these programs.

Hide any valuables in wall spaces. Don’t make it obvious by cutting out big chunks of drywall. Many areas in your house are already accessible for this purpose. How about unwiring your electric socket and using that as an area to stash your jewelry?

When choosing a home security firm, trust your instincts. You are giving someone unlimited access to your home, so be sure the installer doesn’t give you a bad vibe. Don’t hesitate to request a different technician or to hire a new company altogether. Security is supposed to give you peace of mind after all!

Be certain your wires are hidden, if you have installed a security system in your home. Burglars can easily cut the wires if they are visible. Do not make entry into your home easy. Make sure the wires are not exposed either inside or outside your home. That will make you safer.

Use the space in walls to store your prized possessions. You do not have to cut pieces out of the walls to do this. Many spots are already cut that can be used for this purpose. Unused electrical sockets can be great for hiding expensive jewelry.

Are you aware that your home’s wires are worth something? Lots of people don’t know this until their wires are stolen. Copper wiring can easily be removed. This is why the wiring should be hidden or difficult to get to.

If your home isn’t new, replace the locks. You do not want anyone to have a copy of the key. It’s easy to install locks, so you can just purchase them at the home improvement store and swap them out to be sure you have the only keys.

Screen the references of anyone who would have access to your house. Be sure to perform a background check and look for any criminal history that might be in evidence. You never know if the maid, repairman or contractor you hire is on the up and up, and letting them in or giving them a key could be a fatal mistake.

Safety should be kept in mind when you are planning your landscape. You should have a clear view out of all your windows and an unobstructed path to any doors. This way, no one can hide there if they are attempting to break into your house. Plan these features for further away from your home.

Ask the home security companies to visit your home and design a system tailored to your needs. Different people require different plans. If you find a company that will tailor the plan you choose to your needs, you can get the highest level of security that makes you feel comfortable.

Have your home security company inspect your home and suggest safety improvements. Every family is different, and so your security needs will be unique. If there is a company that can come up with a customized plan, you will get what you really need.

If you think something looks odd when you get back home, don’t go inside. You have no way of knowing whether the thieves are still inside. Just contact the police and sit tight until they arrive.

Consider your own personal safety needs and security risks before exploring home security systems. Though such systems can be terrific for many, not everyone really needs one. In some situations, having a good dog and/or learning some self defense may be all that you really need to feel safe. Ensure that you have considered all your options before making a final decision.

Keep your garage shut and locked so burglars can’t peek inside. Frost your windows with film bought at a hardware store. Don’t leave the door unlocked for a long time, either.

If you see that the door is open, do not enter the house. A thief might still be in there, which could put you in danger. Request that the police come and have them go in and check it out, before you go in yourself.

Inquire as to the different lengths of contracts offered by your security company. There are going to be ups and downs for each one. With a longer contract, your monthly payment is likely to be lower. The downside is you might be stuck for a longer period of time if you decide you don’t like the service or want to move. Shorter contracts likely allow you more flexibility with exiting the plan; however, you will probably have a larger monthly bill.

Wireless home security systems are becoming more popular. Systems that are wired are cheaper, but they need unattractive wiring inside your home and may malfunction when you have a power outage. Wireless systems tend to be easier for installation and maintenance, and they will not go out if your power does.

No home is safe from thieves. Nonetheless, there are steps you can take to increase your home security. Starting with these tips is a great beginning. Utilize them so that you can be assured that your home is completely protected.

Put up video surveillance. Both hidden and visible security cameras are effective in protecting your home. While a visible camera is a deterrent, a burglar might try to disable the camera, but a separate hidden camera can solve this problem. Many surveillance systems will allow you to access them through your cell phone; therefore, you can ensure your home is safe even when you’re gone.