Continue reading to learn more about your options concerning home security. It isn’t an easy decision, especially with the amount of money that could be needed. You need to know what you’re doing before you can make the right decisions.

Your faithful dog makes a great hiding spot for a spare key. This is only true if yours in an outdoor dog, or your house is equipped with a doggie door. You can attach a copy of your key to the dog’s collar, so when you need that spare, you’ve got one handy!

Make your house look occupied all the time. Have electronics and lights with timers and set them to go off at various times. This way, it will appear that you are at home. This will keep people from breaking in.

If someone comes to clean your home, only give them a key if they’re trustworthy. If they will be there over an hour and you are thinking of giving them your home key, be certain they are honest, reputable and hard-working. Ask for references and check them thoroughly. If you are using a cleaning firm, make sure it has an excellent Better Business Bureau rating.

Providing a key to the person cleaning your home can be acceptable, but you must be sure they are honest and worthy of your confidence. Only select service people who are totally trustworthy. Make sure you check references. If your cleaning person comes from a company, check with the BBB.

Get a good safe to store your valuables in your home. This will keep your stash of diamonds, gold and other valuable items out of view and inaccessible to burglars. Hide that safe in a difficult-to-reach place like in a closet inside your basement or an attic.

Does your canine stay in the yard while you go out? If so, you can use your dog to hide your spare key. Conceal it in the dog’s collar. This works especially well as storage if your pet isn’t too fond of strangers.

Turn off your phone’s ringer when you go on vacation. A burglar might hear your phone ring and ring and ring, then realize that you are not home to answer it.

Hiding places for spare keys must be chosen with extreme care and caution. Above doors or under doormats are much too common to hide them and potential criminals will check them first. One good place to hide a spare key is in the collar of a dog that does not take kindly to strangers.

Never allow str4angers to enter your house. No matter what the excuse the person presents, keep them from entering your home. Some people just want to know if there is a security system so they can plan on coming back later or not.

Don’t let strangers enter your house. While their story may seem legit, that doesn’t mean it is true. Some folks will enter to scout for security systems, and upon seeing you lack one, will resolve to return at a later time.

You should always park your car inside your garage instead of using your garage to store some belongings. Keeping your car inside will deter thieves from stealing or vandalizing it. Keeping your car in your garage also keeps a thief from knowing whether you are at home or not.

Never open up your door to a stranger. There are many different tactics that crooks use to enter homes, and a common way is simply to walk up to the door and ask for help. Be sure that everyone in your home knows not to open the door to strangers and unexpected visitors.

Don’t be shy. Meet your neighbors. Agree to watch each other’s homes while you are away. You shouldn’t neglect gossip. You will learn a lot from your neighbors, including details about recent break ins in the area and the shady individuals they noticed.

Speak with the police in your town regarding the home security programs they have. The police can offer you some great advice, help you engrave valuables and even come check out your home. Your police department will be able to help you find out what is available in your town.

Skylights need to be secure, too. Skylights are commonly used by thieves to enter a home. Your skylights should have strong components that can withstand tampering.

Hiding Places

Obtain flashlights with solid batteries, and ensure they are kept in all the rooms of your home in the event of a power outage. They will help you get around in case your entire home is dark. Your whole family should be trained on the proper use and maintenance of flashlights.

Avoid leaving spare keys outside of your home. Remember that you are not the only one who is aware of these sorts of hiding places. Potential burglars know the usual hiding places. Ask a reliable neighbor or a friend to keep your spare key.

Before letting someone from a security company into a house, get some sort of official identification. Thieves can pass themselves as workers, which can end up in a robbery of your home. This can be risky for you and your belongings. Be careful if you want to avoid danger.

Lock the house, even if just going away for a short time. Most break-ins and burglaries occur because a door is left open and an intruder just walks in. It can be a quick job for a burglar to steal items of great value.

Ask your home security company about coming to your residence and creating a system that is tailored to your personal needs. They should take your concerns seriously and address any issues you have. Doing this helps you get the best security you can get from the company, helping you to relax.

If you are throwing away the box an expensive item came in, wait until trash day to put the box out. These types of items are appealing to thieves, and you may as well put a sign in your yard inviting them to steal yours.

You may want to get a security system that is wireless. Systems that are wired are cheaper, but they need unattractive wiring inside your home and may malfunction when you have a power outage. A wireless security system is easy to install and take care of. Additionally, this type of system is not dependent upon the electrical system of the home.

Prior to allowing access to anyone, make sure you are shown proper identification. Conduct background checks if necessary. You need to be very careful with the contractors, repairmen or maids you trust with being alone in your home.

Ask your home-security company about what contract lengths they provide to their customers. They all likely have different benefits and downsides. While your monthly rates may be lower with a lengthy contract, you have no recourse should you list your home for sale or terminate your contract. Shorter contracts allow your greater freedom, however they usually cost more each month.

If you have your home brightly lit, burglars are likely to avoid it. They prefer not to be seen. If you have your home lit up, then you have made it hard for burglars to hide and rob your home. Keep lights on in the evening for a safer home.

You should always keep your blinds and curtains closed. By failing to do so, you are granting a prime view of your house and your belongings. They may break in if they see things they like. You ought to turn the curtains down if you are sleeping as well.

Look online for a reputable home security business. Check out different websites, and read through package details and customer testimonials. Make appointments with the three best companies, and take the time to go over the details and compare them.

See if your firm gives you the choice of leasing and/or buying security equipment. It might cost more at first when buying the equipment, but you don’t have the extra cost each month. Leasing is a good way to avoid the initial expense, but you will have to pay monthly fees. Look at what you can afford, as well as what is offered and make an informed choice.

Talk to any companies you’re considering hiring to install a security system about how long the company has been around. Companies with a long history can give you the best service for many years. When you know that you’re dealing with a company of some repute, you can feel more at ease making that decision.

Never hide keys in obvious locations. A fake rock or flower pot are simply too easy to guess. Another obvious location is underneath the doormat. This will be one of the first places that a burglar will look for your spare key. It’s better to ask a trusted friend or neighbor to hold your extra key. If none of these options are possible, try to think of an unusual hiding place.

Consider your security risk and safety needs before purchasing home security systems. Though such systems can be terrific for many, not everyone really needs one. You could, for instance, invest in an alarm system, some outside lights, adopt a dog or take some self-defense classes. Understanding your needs will help you make a good purchase decision.

If you have valuable items that cannot be replaced, you must keep them under lock and key. Photos, passports, important documents and heirlooms should be kept where they can’t be stolen or damaged. Floor safes are excellent locations for keeping these particular items safe inside your home. You can also rent out a safety deposit box.

Find out about the various lengths of contracts your chosen home security company has on offer. There are sure to be both good points and bad points about each option. A contract that is longer might offer lower monthly payments, but you may have to continue with these if you decide to sell the house or discontinue services. While a short contract provides you with extra freedom, it can cost you more for each month.

If the window of your living room faces the street, close your curtains at night. You don’t need to have an invitation to people through your window. If criminals can clearly view what’s going on in your house, it makes it easier for them to commit crimes. Be careful about what you expose to the public so that your likelihood of a burglary will decrease.

Inquire about motion sensing lights from your security service. A lot of companies provide this, and it makes the exterior lights in your home turn on immediately when someone approaches any entry way. This makes your home safer because it warns intruders away.

The wiring on the outside of your home can draw burglars in. The copper in components and wiring is being sold for lots of cash. Keeping your wires hidden prevents the thieves from seeing them and wanting to take them.

You want to always make sure your second story windows are locked. People often overlook their second floor windows, assuming that thieves won’t check them. This is not always true. A burglar will attempt to get in any way they can.

Put all your kids’ outdoor toys away. This makes it fairly obvious that a woman lives in the house. Because they tend to own valuable jewelry that’s ripe for stealing, women make a house into a more attractive target for burglars.

If you have paid close attention to facts presented to you, you should be prepared to make your choice. It is vital that you understand your situation because it is vital in keeping you and your family safe inside your house. The learning you’ve done here will help you tackle the project.

Sometimes thieves knock on the door, then burst in and cause trouble once it is opened. If you don’t know the person on the other side of the door, don’t open it. You can call for help for them if necessary. If you’re unsure about how to react, then you can always call the police.