How do you feel about home security? Are you finding out that the price tags on major home security systems out of your range? Is it your hope to find something more affordable? They do exist, and they are much more cost-effective than you may think. This piece discusses useful, cost-effective home security strategies.

Be sure that your home is always occupied. Buy timers so that lights, radios, TVs and all other electronics turn on and off at various times. This will make your home look like someone is in it. This is an excellent method for avoiding burglary and keeping your home secure.

Make your home look occupied at all times. You could purchase timers which make lights and TV’s, as well as other devices, power on or off at varying intervals. This makes it appear that someone is home. This is just one of the many precautions you can take to secure your home.

Your dog can keep your spare house key for you. This works with a dog that stays outside or a dog with a pet door. Simply attach a spare key to your dog’s collar (in a secure and non-visible place, of course) so that you’ll be able to retrieve it if you need it.

Is your dog outside when you are away? You could let your dog carry a spare key. Fasten the key to your dog’s collar to hide it from view. This is quite effective if your pet does not respond well to strangers.

Provide the house key to your professional house cleaner, but only if you fully trust them. Be sure any home cleaner you give your key to is trustworthy and reputable. Make sure you check references. If the cleaner has been sent by a company, call the Better Business Bureau to check on the company’s reputation.

Shop around when looking for a good home security system. You’ll find a wide range of prices from different companies. Look at a number of different companies and get at least three quotes before selecting what you feel is the ideal plan for your home.

Home security systems do more than sounding an alarm in case of a break in. The majority of systems are able to be set to put out an alert when any individual enters the home. This can be useful if you’ve got small children that are able to open doors.

Your friends may have some great advice for choosing the right company. Others have likely had both good and bad experiences that they can share with you that can then save you a lot of stress and time. Ask a few different people to help you make the best choice.

Keep your jewelry, vital documents and other expensive items in a safe. Doing so can protect your valuables in the event of a robbery. Put the safe somewhere difficult to get to, like the attic.

If you will be away from your house for an extended period of time, turn the ringers off for all your phones. A phone which rings forever is a sign to burglars that you’re not there.

If you keep a spare key outside to prevent yourself from being locked-out, think carefully about where you hide it. Hiding it beneath the doormat is very common and most intruders will look there. Try to find somewhere less obvious.

You need to have your security system checked once a year. Your security company should send a representative to check your system. Many factors cause issues with security systems like nature and wild animals. There are always ways your home is vulnerable, even if you don’t know it.

Social networking sites are great for keeping in touch, but post information sparingly. For example, you might avoid broadcasting when you are going out of town, especially if your friends list contains casual acquaintances. It’s natural to be excited about your trip, but this is as good as throwing out the welcome mat for people who know your home is unoccupied.

A secure hiding place can be created in a wall. If you own smaller things that need protection, think about keeping them hidden in the walls. Use an old switch plate, outlet or phone jack. If you do not have any unused plates, it is easy to install a false one.

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.

You want an alarm system that protects more than your doors. All of your windows are possible entry points for a thief too. Be sure your alarm is secured to them all and that monitoring is in place for every point of entry. Doing this will help ensure the safety of your home and loved ones.

In summer, take care to trim back branches and plants near the house. These can pose a fire hazard due to heat and storms with lightning. Keeping your plants and bushes trimmed will benefit your family’s safety as well as the appearance of your home.

Hide the wires of your home security system. A burglar can easily cut and disconnect wires that are left visible. Instead, make sure the wires are hidden. This will help to deter intruders that are looking to quickly disable your alarm system.

Use motion sensor lights. When a person walks by your home too closely, these lights will go on. You will receive advance warning of any potential issues, and a would-be intruder will probably be scared off. Just remember and change out the light bulbs whenever necessary.

If you are throwing away the box an expensive item came in, wait until trash day to put the box out. Having these boxes around for a while will give people an idea of what is inside your house.

If you’ve recently moved into a house, get any locks changed out. Although you may trust the previous homeowner, you cannot be 100% sure of their character. Remember that different families might have dwelt there before this person.

The wires that are on your house are very valuable. Many people never realize this value until wires are stolen right out of their home. Copper, found in many wires, can be removed in little time, and is worth quite a bit of money. Be sure to keep your wiring hidden or difficult to reach.

To increase your home’s security, buy some outdoor lights that are motion activated. Cost-effective and aesthetically pleasing, these lights really add value to your home. They also help to keep intruders away, because an intruder does not want to come close to your property if they know they might be spotted.

Purchase flashlights that have good batteries, and keep them in every room in your home in case the power goes out. This is important for you to be able to see should your power go out or you suffer an emergency. Make sure each member of your family knows where the flashlights are and how to operate them.

Whenever seeking out home-security companies, the Internet can be a valuable resource, so utilize it. Browse through different websites and seek out customer reviews about different services and packages. Once you have selected a few potential home security providers, set appointments to interview them and find out what they have on offer.

Make sure your home’s exterior is well lit. Burglars like using darkness to hide. Install some outside lights so you can see everything outside. Be sure to consider your front and back porch, garage, ground floor windows and any basement entryway.

Get a custom-designed plan that fits your needs by having the security company do a site visit in your home. Every house and every family will produce a unique set of security concerns that are best addressed with tailor-made security arrangements. Working with a business that will look out for your specific interests will help you be much safer at home.

Stand out in your street, and look toward your home. Are you able to see the numbers of your home? Small or obscured numbers can make it difficult for emergency personnel to locate your home. Thankfully if you notice a problem it’s an easy and cheap thing to fix.

Keeping a dog provides a great way to boost your home’s defense. Dogs become extremely protective of their families and bark when uneasy. It is not necessary to have an aggressive dog. A small or medium dog will bark to alert you if it is properly trained.

Don’t hide keys in obvious areas. It is easy to spot a rock that is fake. Doormats and rocks in front of the house are too obvious. A better idea is to have a friend or neighbor keep your emergency key. If that option isn’t available to you, be creative with your hiding spots.

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. Use a code-access lock for any door you don’t want others opening. They are fairly simple to install, or if you don’t feel comfortable doing so yourself, you can ask your home security company about it.

It all boils down to what is affordable. Luckily, there are a number of inexpensive home security solutions you can use no matter what your budget may be. This piece has offered lots of good home security ideas. They may be the best, most effective bargain ever.

Ask the security company about various contract lengths. You will probably find there are many pros and cons associated with each different contract. Long contracts may cost less each month, but it could leave you with a larger bill if you decide to end your service. There’s more freedom with a contract that’s shorter, but the monthly payments may be higher.