If you’ve always wondered whether or not you should invest in home security, keep reading. You should not settle on such a crucial matter. Get good information and stay in control of the situation. Read the below article to learn all the different options you have.

Have your dog protect the spare key. If your dog lives outside or is able to come and go through a dog door, this is a viable idea. Latch the key on his collar and voila–you have a spare key available!

Look at the prices for all of the security systems that you are interested in. Different companies can provide equivalent levels of service and security, but their prices can vary wildly. Get quotes from no less than three companies before choosing the best one.

In the summer, remove all the dead trees from your yard. When summer heats up, such debris can catch fire. Keep these cleared away regularly to maintain your home’s safety and to keep it in good shape.

Don’t just hide your spare key anywhere. Never put a spare key under a doormat or above a door jam. Try hiding your key somewhere more unique, like your outside dog’s collar.

The fist thing you’ll need to do for home security is to get new locks. Perhaps you aren’t sure who owned the home before you or maybe an old roommate has a key and never returned it. Regardless, changing the locks will ensure your security. Changing locks is not very expensive and should be done within a few hours.

Shut off phone ringers inside the home if you’re going to be gone for quite a while. If your phone rings and is not being answered, criminals will realize that you’re away.

Whenever you are selecting a home security company, make sure you go with your gut feelings. This is especially true if you are uneasy with those who are installing the actual system. Don’t hesitate to request a different technician or to hire a new company altogether. The point of that system is to feel safer after all.

Never open up your door to a stranger. There are people who are going to be convincing, but they can just be professional thieves. Make sure everyone in your house knows not to open the door unless they know the person standing outside.

A wall is a great hiding place. Keep small, valuable items inside the walls of your home. You can use phone jacks or electric outlets as hiding spots. A security store will sell fake plates you can install anywhere.

Your garage should be as secure as your home. There is a solution for people that are worried about burglars going into their home through an attached garage. A C-clamp can prevent a garage door from even opening if the clamp is tightened on the door track near the roller.

You could hide some valuables within your walls. This does not mean that you should make alterations to your walls. Take a closer look at your walls and note just how many access points there are already. Perhaps you could deactivate a few unused electrical sockets to use as a place to store stuff.

You should regularly check your home security system, regardless of how reliable you believe it is. Ask someone from your security company to come over and have a look. Many factors cause issues with security systems like nature and wild animals. You might not even discover these problems if they aren’t easily sighted.

It is not a good idea to hide a spare key on your property. You might think this protects you against being locked out of your home, but it also gives intruders access to your home. Thieves aren’t stupid and also know common hiding spots. Ask a reliable neighbor or a friend to keep your spare key.

You should not be shy. Meet your neighbors. Watch their homes and ask them if they’ll watch yours as well. Do not ignore gossip either. You may end up hearing about things such as odd folks roaming about the neighborhood.

Lock your home at all times to err on the side of caution. You may be surprised to know that many burglars simply turn the doorknob and walk right in. Thieves can make off with large amounts of valuable merchandise very quickly.

Have lights that sense motion. This type of light will come on when they detect motion within a certain distance of your home. Not only will you know that someone is out there, it will also deter burglars because they want to be inconspicuous. But keep in mind that the bulbs to the security light should be routinely changed to ensure that the deterrent system functions properly.

Rotted wood in your door framing should be replaced. An intruder could pry the rotten wood easily to open the door. Replace wood that is starting to rot with fresh new wood to keep your home as safe as possible.

You need to go with your gut instinct when it comes to negotiating and dealing with a home security installation company. This is doubly true when you feel unease about the installers. You should not hesitate to ask if you can work with a different representative or find a different company if you are not comfortable. Your security system is supposed to help you, not cause you more stress.

The most useful tool for finding home security is the Internet. You can check out their packages and rates and also read some customer reviews. After narrowing down your top five choices, you can then take the next step by contacting each one.

Be sure to secure the skylights to your home. Skylights are commonly used by thieves to enter a home. Check that skylights have heavy duty hardware that can stand up under unwanted tampering.

Ask your home security company how long they have been in business before you sign up for service. A company with a long history has proved they can survive and provide great service to people. Whenever you know you aren’t doing business with a fly-by-night company, you will be more assured your home is protected.

A wall is a great hiding place. If you own smaller things that need protection, think about keeping them hidden in the walls. You can use phone jacks or electric outlets as hiding spots. If you do not have any unused plates, it is easy to install a false one.

Consider a surveillance system for your home and property. Setting up hidden and visible video cameras is a good way to keep your home secure. Also, you can capture the intruder in the act. Many surveillance systems may be easily accessed through a cell phone so that you can check on your house while you’re away.

Regardless of how long you plan on being away from your home, always lock all the doors and windows whenever you leave. Most burglars gain entry to a home through an unlocked door. It can be a quick job for a burglar to steal items of great value.

Could burglars see inside your garage? Make sure that they can’t! Add some frosted glass panes to your windows to keep strangers from looking inside. If you use your garage for working on projects, don’t forget to lock it when you’re through working for the day.

After bringing home a big-ticket item, such as an appliance or electronic device, avoid leaving the packages on the curb before trash day. Empty boxes might draw the attention of robbers and let everyone know you own new and expensive goods.

Ask the security company about various contract lengths. These lengths can be both good and bad. 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. While the monthly rates may be higher for a short-term contract, this option is more flexible.

When allowing a representative from any security company to enter your home, look for someone in uniform and ask to see an identification. Having the name of the technician coming to your house ahead of time can help to ensure you are allowing someone who really works for the company into your home. This proves rather dangerous for both your family and also your valuables. Be cautious to stay safe.

Don’t hide your key somewhere obvious. Is anybody really fooled by those fake rocks? Not likely. Under your doormat is also a common place burglars will look. The best idea is just to ask a friend or neighbor to hang on to a key for you. If you have no trustworthy neighbors, try to be more creative.

Always ask for references before letting a contractor or a maid in your home. Check if they have any history of criminal activity. You do not know if the people you hire are trustworthy, so do not give them a key to your home.

Always close your curtains, especially if a passerby can easily look in your windows. You shouldn’t be inviting people to look at your stuff through the window. Someone who can peer into your home may decide that your valuables are ripe for the taking. Make sure and minimize what is visible to the public so as to reduce the likelihood of becoming a target.

Determine how much experience a home security company has before you decide to do business with them. Many years of service bode well for the company’s performance. It’s good to know that the company won’t disappear overnight and leave your home unprotected.

If your door is not solid wood or metal, replace it! Those materials will hold. A burglar could not kick a solid wood or a metal door. It should be possible for you to find replacements for all of your doors for a good price, so do it right away.

Keep your garage shut and locked so burglars can’t peek inside. Have your windows frosted so they aren’t as easy to see through. Also, do not leave doors open.

Home alarms are a good investment, but only when someone who hears it calls the cops. Purchase a centrally monitored alarm to reap all the security benefits possible. Don’t rely solely on your neighbors to notify the police.

If you have a numeric keypad on your door as your lock, don’t make the password your birthday. Personal information, such as a birthday can be acquired on the Internet. If you use this as your password, you may make it easy for a burglar to rob you. Use a password that you can remember but that no one else will be able to guess.

Always lock your second and even third floor windows. Many people think burglars can’t gain access to these windows; however, this is not true. This is not the case. This is often a weak area that criminals know about.

Secure valuables that are truly irreplaceable. Irreplaceable valuables, including financial records, family photos, legal documents, passports, etc., should be secured at all times. Purchase a safe with a lock to store all of these items. For added safety, place them in a safety deposit box at your bank.

Obviously, owning a big dog that has a frightening bark has its benefits. Burglars don’t want to put themselves in the position of being attacked. Consider getting a large dog that will protect your whole family while being a playmate for your children, walking pal or friendly companion.

If you have windows that are open to the street, be sure and cover them at night. It’s best to discourage peeping toms. When your valuables are on display, burglars will see it as a veritable buffet. Be careful about how much others can see.

You need to replace the locks of a home you just bought, no matter who previously lived there. This is also true when it comes to rental homes. Ask the landlord if they can switch your locks or obtain a locksmith so that you can do it yourself.

You should be able to take the information you’ve read here to propel yourself forward into the home security realm. When you understand your needs and your options, it is much easier to be confident in your decision. Use the information here to help keep you and your family safe.

Video surveillance systems tend to be hated by crooks. Burglars with masks like you see in movies are not really the norm. A lot of home burglars do not wear masks due to the fact that they don’t intend to allow anyone to see them. If they see a surveillance system, they will often leave.