No matter if you own or rent, you need a safe place to call home. You may not know the best way to secure your home, so that’s what this article can help you with. In this article you will find easy steps for home security.

Be sure that your home is always occupied. Purchase timers for electronics, lights, radios and TVs so that they will turn on and off at varied intervals. This will make your home look like someone is in it. This is a great way to keep your home safe and avoid burglaries.

Protect your spare key by using your dog. This will only be ideal if you have a dog door or an outdoor dog. Simply affix a spare key to the collar of the animal. You’ll always have a backup plan if you lose your key!

Home security systems offer additional features besides loud alarms during a break-in. The majority of systems are able to be set to put out an alert when any individual enters the home. This is great for parents that have small children so that they know when their kids open or close doors.

Don’t give your keys to a house cleaner unless you totally trust them. Only select service people who are totally trustworthy. Check the housekeeper’s references very carefully. If it is a known company, check with your local BBB.

Comparison shopping is essential when seeking a security system for the home. You would be surprised to see that the prices are much different for each company, even though it’s for the same type of protection. Before choosing which company to go with, ask for quotes from a minimum of three companies.

Do not post on your social media accounts regarding when you will be away on vacation. Though trips are always fun to talk about, you may be doing little more than telling burglars the best times to visit your house.

You should not let anyone inside your home. Even if this stranger has a believable story or is trying to sell you something, do not let them in. Some people will knock on your door simply to see whether you have a security system.

Talk to your local police department about what they offer. Home inspections or engraving identifiers can help protect you. Discuss the possibility of this sort of program with your police department.

Never open up your door to a stranger. Nowadays, thieves are creative when thinking of ways to get homeowners to open a door and let them in. Make sure everyone in your house knows not to open the door unless they know the person standing outside.

It will not benefit you to be shy. Converse with those living in your area. Keep an eye out for their houses, and request that they return the favor. Do not ignore gossip either. While this is unorthodox, it may clue you into a possible home security threat.

Check out your garage to ensure that it is secure. Intruders could easily break into your garage and access your home. Use a C-clamp to secure the door if it’s off track.

Motion sensor lights on the exterior of your home is a great idea. When a person walks by your home too closely, these lights will go on. Not only will you know that someone is out there, it will also deter burglars because they want to be inconspicuous. Just remember that you must change the bulbs often in order to keep the lights working in order.

Is your garage used for storage? Consider removing those items and keeping your car there instead. It will be far more secure against thieves. Protect your car from vandals by keeping it in the garage. This will also make it more difficult for burglars to track when you away from home.

Rural Areas

Do you live out in the country? If so, you might not be as worried about burglars breaking in as those people in the city are. The risk is still there, so a home security system is vital. Others feel rural residents have a lower risk of being burglarized.

Do you live out in the country? If so, you might not be as worried about burglars breaking in as those people in the city are. Due to the distance between neighbors, some think rural areas are more likely to have intruders. Some think rural areas see less burglary.

It is not a good idea to hide a spare key on your property. You may believe you are making life easier for yourself, but you may just be giving thieves simple access to your house. Potential burglars know the usual hiding places. Rather, give your spare key to a neighbor or friend that you trust.

Use your wall spaces to hide your valuables. It is unnecessary cut space into your wall. There are many spots in your home that already have areas that are pre-cut. What about un-wiring an electrical socket which isn’t used to utilize as a cover to hide your jewelry?

Don’t leave the packaging from any electronics or expensive purchases sitting on the curb until trash day. You are alerting thieves that there is something worth stealing inside your home.

Lock your home when you leave, even if you don’t think you will be away for long. It may be a little surprising, but most burglaries and break-ins happen because the intruder just walks right through an open door. Thieves can steal a lot of valuable stuff in mere minutes.

When moving into a house, ensure that each lock has been replaced. You have no way of knowing whether the previous homeowner is trustworthy. Also, there have likely been other owners of the home, and you don’t know them either.

If you buy expensive electronics or appliances, throw the packages away the day that your trash pickup occurs. Letting such packaging sit out will signal to criminals that there are good things to be found in your house.

Be on the lookout for rotten wood anywhere near your doors or windows. An intruder can simply pry away that rotted wood and enter your home. Wood that is beginning to rot should always be replaced to make sure your home stays safe.

Now that some ideas have been presented to you for home security, get started! Waste no more time. Use them as a starting point to generate additional ways on your own that can help keep your home safe. Don’t procrastinate. You will feel safer with a good home security system in place.

Be sure to read all of the fine print to any contracts you plan on signing for a security company. Sometimes, hidden costs can be incurred if you get rid of the service before a certain date. It is best to know all you can about a service you sign up for.