Take care to protect pricey valuables, such as jewelry, fine art or cash. A good home security system is the best way to protect yourself from thefts. The tips below can help.

Create the illusion that your home is constantly occupied. You can purchase timers that can control your household electronics such as lights, TVs and radios. In this way, it will always seem that someone is in your home. This is a simple way to give people up to no good think that you are home.

Consider using your dog as a place to store your spare key. This approach is useful if your dog is a large breed that lives outdoor, or if your house has a doggy door. You can purchase a special collar that will hold your spare key, so when you forget your keys your dog can let you in.

Why not give your trusted dog the job of holding onto your spare key? If your dog lives outside or is able to come and go through a dog door, this is a viable idea. Place the alternative key on your dog’s collar in case of an emergency.

Only provide your house cleaner with a key if you trust him or her implicitly. If you plan on giving them the key so that they can work in your home for over an hour, make sure that they’re reputable, hardworking, and honest. Go over their references and do some background research on the company they work for. If you’re hiring from a company, call the BBB for more information.

Always have the locks changed when you buy a new home. Many people may have been given keys by the former owner. To make sure you have the only access to the home, hire a locksmith. When you lose your keys, have your locks rekeyed.

Is your dog outside when you are away? Your furry friend is also a great storage place for your extra key. You can attach your key to your dog’s collar in order to keep the key hidden. Especially if your dog is not very friendly, this will help keep your key safe.

During summer, remove your landscape’s dead vegetation and wood. These items have a higher chance of catching fire during the hot months. Make sure your yard is clean for the sake of your safety – and that of your family!

Home security systems do more than sounding an alarm in case of a break in. Modern systems are often capable of detecting any open door or window and announcing that fact. This can be useful if you’ve got small children that are able to open doors.

Request information from your local law enforcement agencies about home protection packages. They may offer things such as home inspections, engraving tool loans, and other guidance about securing your house. Call the local police department and inquire as to what programs they offer.

Get creative and hide valuables inside your walls. You don’t have to cut pieces out of the walls. You can find areas in your walls that are pre-cut and use those. How about unwiring an electricity socket and using it as cover for a place to stash valuable jewelry?

Aim to purchase fire-resistant ceilings, roofs and floors. This ensures your home won’t be a tinderbox. Investing in fire-resistant materials will help you save a lot since a fire can cause extensive damage.

Don’t put your spare key in an obvious place near your front door. These seem like great places for you when you misplace your key. Burglars are familiar with these hiding spots. Rather, give the key to a neighbor to hold.

Did you know that the wires on your home are valuable? Lots of people don’t know this until their wires are stolen. The reason they are valuable is because of their copper. A burglar can easily strip off your wires from the outside of your home very quickly. Hide the wiring and make it harder to access to prevent this from happening.

Don’t post online when you’ll be away from your home. While it is exciting to go to a new place and have a good time, you are letting thieves know that your house will be empty and they can come right in.

If your door is set in a rotted frame, you must replace the frame. It is simple for a robber to pry away rotting wood and enter your home. Replace rotted wood with fresh wood to make your home safer.

Alter the locks and the keys when you change homes. Although other tenants might not have a key anymore, they could have copied it. You can purchase the locks and install them yourself to ensure you’re the only person that has a key.

Ask friends for some advice before choosing home security companies and systems. Most will be willing to share their likes, loves and loathes, especially as they realize how important it is to you. Therefore, ask everyone you can in order to obtain the most advice. With thorough advice, the best decision can be made.

Motion-sensitive exterior lighting is a must. These lights will keep your property well lit and give you a good idea of who approaches your home. This is a great way to deter prowlers and potential intruders at night.

When you are trying to hire a home security contractor, read all the small print on your contract before signing it. Sometimes there are hidden costs involved if you decide to let your service go before the contract expires or add additional equipment at a later point. If you can’t avoid these types of fees, you should at least be aware of them.

Trust your instincts when it comes to hiring a home security company. If the men who come to your home to do the installation seem untrustworthy, you can change your mind. Ask for someone else to come out or switch companies. Remember, the new security apparatus is meant to make you feel safe and secure.

A good way to scare off intruders is to keep your house lit at nighttime. Most burglars rely on concealment to approach a home. With a well lit home there is no place for burglars to conceal themselves. Keep the lights on when it’s dark.

Never place empty boxes for expensive items out on the curb. If a burglar sees your empty box, he or she will know that valuable item is inside your house. That’s good motivation for a break-in. Break down the box, and take it to the local recycling center.

Do not hide your spare key under your doormat or in a nearby planter. While it can help you if you’re locked out, you could be letting intruders inside your home. Thieves are aware of these hiding spots. Give it to a neighbor you trust instead.

If you live alone or with other responsible adults, there is no need to lock off areas of your home to prevent access. Each entrance can be fitted with a keyless lock that requires a code to enter. You can have your home security company install it for you, or you can do it yourself.

Inquire about different choices for contract lengths available from the home security provider. 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 the monthly rates may be higher for a short-term contract, this option is more flexible.

When choosing an alarm system, consider one that offers protection for more than just your doors. Windows offer easy access to a potential thief. The alarm and monitoring system should be set for all windows and doors. Do this to keep you and your family safe.

Credit Card

Don’t use spring-latch locks. Defeating a spring latch lock is a trivial endeavor; experienced burglars can get through one using nothing more than a credit card. Intruders can just wedge the credit card in between the latch and the door, causing it to open. Add a deadbolt to doors with spring-latch locks.

Before allowing someone into your house, be sure to carefully check their references. For a relatively small fee, you can also run a background check for their criminal history. You do not know if the people you hire are trustworthy, so do not give them a key to your home.

When it comes to home security, it is best to err on the side of caution. There’s no need to live in fear, but addressing some basic security concerns is always the prudent course of action. Put the tips from the article to good use and protect your family and home.