Do you know much about home security systems? You need to educate yourself so you can make an informed decision when setting up your home security system. An alarm system is a significant investment and you need to know what you are buying.

Protect your spare key by using your dog. Outdoor dogs or pet doors make this possible. Simply affix a spare key to the collar of the animal. You’ll always have a backup plan if you lose your key!

It is important for your home to always look lived in. Timers can be used to turn lights and televisions on and off when required. This will make your home look like someone is in it. This will keep people from breaking in.

Buy a safe for very valuable items in the house so you can keep them inside a single location. A safe is the best way to protect your diamonds, gold and important documents. Put the safe somewhere difficult to get to, like the attic.

Spare Key

If you want to have a spare key close to your house in order to prevent lockouts, make sure you give its hiding place some careful thought. Common places to hide a spare key are above your door frame or underneath your doormat. Therefore, thieves are more likely to check these places out first. Try hiding your key on a lawn statue or in a potted plant.

Place your spare key securely on your dog’s collar. Of course, your dog has to be an outdoor dog (or you at least need to have a doggy door) for this to work. 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.

Buy roofing, flooring and interior paneling that is flame resistant. This can provide additional safety to the home, particularly in dry regions. Investing in fire-resistant materials will help you save a lot since a fire can cause extensive damage.

Make sure that you change the locks once you’ve taken possession of the house. There is no telling how many key copies were made and given out by a previous owner. To make sure you’re the only person that can get into your home, contact a locksmith. You should also have your locks changed if you lose your keys.

If you will be away from your house for an extended period of time, turn the ringers off for all your phones. 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.

Only give your house key to a professional house cleaner if you trust them. If you do give your housekeeper a key or plan on doing so, it is imperative that they are honest and upstanding. Be sure to make sure their references check out. If applicable, call the BBB to inquire about their reputation.

Rid the outside of your home from dead wood, vegetation and overgrowth during the summertime. They are a potential fire hazard during warmer months. Keep your family and your house protected by regularly clearing out your yard waste.

Keep your most precious belongings inside a safe. Doing so can protect your valuables in the event of a robbery. Hide the safe in a very hard to reach place like the attic or a closet in the basement.

See if your area police department has any home security programs. The police can offer you some great advice, help you engrave valuables and even come check out your home. Get in touch with the department to determine their offerings.

Aim to purchase fire-resistant ceilings, roofs and floors. This will help you protect your home under all circumstances. Lowering or eliminating the risk of a fire is an extremely important home security strategy because a fire can cause extreme destruction very quickly.

Walls are a great hiding spot for your valuables. Concealing small valuables in your walls is an easy and highly effective way to protect them. Target any unused phone jacks or electrical outlets for an easy hiding spot. You put in a fake plate if there aren’t any unused in your home.

Before selecting a security firm, ask for recommendations. This will help you to reduce the stress that you have on your search for a good one. Do your research; it will help you make a good decision in the end.

Make sure that your valuables cannot be seen from outside the home. Large windows let in light and give you a great view outside, but that works both ways. By reducing visibility into your home, you protect your belongings, safety, and you improve the interior beauty of your home.

Before leaving for vacation, turn off the ringers in your house. This is because a phone that is ringing and ringing can tip of a burglar that nobody is currently home.

When installing your home security system, make sure to hide the wires. Intruders can easily disable your home security system by cutting or unplugging the wires. Make it hard for a burglar to avoid your detection. This can make you safer.

Switch your locks. Perhaps your roommate left town or you have gone through a messy divorce, and you need to feel that the home is safe. Changing locks is not very expensive and should be done within a few hours.

You should have several flashlights and batteries in all your rooms. This is important for you to be able to see should your power go out or you suffer an emergency. Keep in mind that your family might be separated during a power outage, and make sure you children know where to find and how to use your flashlights.

Go with your gut when choosing a home security company to install a system. Don’t hire anyone who makes you uncomfortable. You should not hesitate to ask if you can work with a different representative or find a different company if you are not comfortable. You need to feel secure with the entire process.

Before you let anyone into your house, thoroughly check their references. Check if they have any history of criminal activity. You can’t always be sure that maids, service workers or contractors are honest, and therefore giving out keys can be a big error.

Rural Areas

Whenever you sign with a home-security company, it is important that you thoroughly read the contract. There may be hidden expenses involved if you terminate service before the contract term is up, and there may be added equipment fees. You want to try to avoid these fees whenever possible, so make sure you are aware of them.

People who live rurally often don’t think about home security. Due to the distance between neighbors, some think rural areas are more likely to have intruders. Some think rural areas see less burglary.

Keeping your house bright and lit at night will deter many crooks. Thieves don’t want to be visible. By minimizing dark and shady areas, you are taking away a potential burglar’s hiding spots. Keep those lights shining brightly at night.

Don’t forget to secure your skylights too. While they are an excellent source of natural light, they are also an easy way for thieves to enter your home. Use heavy-duty hardware to secure your skylights to the roof.

If you’re planning to be out of your home for a period of time, have a neighbor remove any fliers placed on your door. Sometimes burglars leave fliers in an attempt to see if anyone is home to remove them. If the flier is not taken down, the burglar assumes the homeowner is not in town.

Don’t ever place your spare key under your mat or next you a plant box. Though you might think that you’re giving yourself something you could use to get into your house when you’ve lost your keys, you’re actually inviting intruders inside your house. Burglars are well aware of these hiding places. If you have a neighbor you can trust, have them hold your extra key.

Install a home surveillance system. Both hidden and visible security cameras are effective in protecting your home. Visible cameras have a deterrent effect, and if they are disabled, hidden cameras can capture the events that unfold. Surveillance systems often allow you to access videos through your cell phone, too.

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 for expensive new gear serve as advertisements to potentials thieves; don’t make it easy for them to spot such tempting targets.

The best method to maintain a thief from going into the garage is making sure nobody can see inside. Go to a hardware store and buy some frosting so you can cover your windows. Don’t leave the door unlocked for a long time, either.

Do you feel better since you know more about security systems for your home? The knowledge you have gained can be used to guide future decisions. Keep the information above close as you consider the options.

If you must hide a key, hide it somewhere unusual. The classic fake rock is too common and too easy to detect. Doormats and rocks in front of the house are too obvious. The most secure thing you can do is to entrust your key to a reliable neighbor or a friend you can count on. If you have no trustworthy neighbors, try to be more creative.