Do you understand how home security systems work? If you’re lost just pondering this subject, you need some facts. This is an expensive investment that means everything to the safety of your family, so continue reading to learn more.

Your home should looked occupied all the time. You could purchase timers which make lights and TV’s, as well as other devices, power on or off at varying intervals. In this way, it will always seem that someone is in your home. This is a simple way to improve your home’s safety and make it less attractive to criminals.

When you decide to purchase a home alarm system, make sure you comparison shop. Prices for home security systems can vary and they do not all offer the same services. Before choosing which company to go with, ask for quotes from a minimum of three companies.

Let a house cleaner have your keys only if they can provide you with references so you can verify their trustworthiness. Anyone you give the keys to your home to should be unarguably honest. Make sure you check references. If the cleaner is from a firm, try calling the local BBB to find out about the firm’s reputation.

Hide your spare key in a place where no one would think to look for it. Intruders will think to look on the top if a door frame and under a doormat. Try hiding your key somewhere more unique, like your outside dog’s collar.

Do you keep your dog outdoors when you go out? This is a good spot for keeping your spare key. Put it on your dog’s collar, making sure it is hidden. This is the perfect place to store a spare key, especially if your dog doesn’t care for strangers.

Don’t announce your vacation agenda on your social networks. This is especially true if you have lots of unfamiliar “friends”. It’s great to see new places and take a lot of photos, but posting them while still overseas lets thieves know your home is empty.

Keep your jewelry, vital documents and other expensive items in a safe. This is vital since it means all of your things will be safe if someone breaks in your home. Keep your safe in a hard-to-get-to place, such as a basement closet or your attic.

Don’t let strangers enter your home. It is essential you do not do this, even if the stranger gives you a convincing story or states they need your assistance. Some criminals will come in, case your house and then come back when you are away.

If your garage is attached to your house, make it secure. There is a solution for people that are worried about burglars going into their home through an attached garage. A C-clamp placed on the garage door track will stop it from opening when you don’t want it to.

Remove old plants and debris from your yard. When summer heats up, such debris can catch fire. You can prevent disasters by keeping your yard clean.

See if your area police department has any home security programs. They may offer neighborhood watch programs, home inspections, engraving tools for marking code numbers onto items so that they will be easily identified if stolen. Your police department will be able to help you find out what is available in your town.

See if your local police department offers any home inspection or other protection programs. Home inspections or engraving identifiers can help protect you. Call and see what is available.

No matter how soon you plan to return home, you should lock your doors. Many home thefts start with the thief simply walking in an unlocked door or window. It can be a quick job for a burglar to steal items of great value.

Is your garage used for storage? Consider removing those items and keeping your car there instead. It will be far more secure against thieves. Keeping your car inside will deter thieves from stealing or vandalizing it. Keeping your car out of sight is also a good way to prevent intruders from determining whether or not you are home.

After moving into a pre-owned apartment or home, change the locks. Even though the previous tenant may have turned in their key, you never know if they have a copy. You can purchase and install locks yourself to make sure only you have the key.

Any program to improve the security of your home should begin with complete replacement of your door locks. Not everyone who leaves your house will leave happy, and a fresh set of locks will protect you from both former residents and acquaintances of your own looking to cause mischief. Changing locks is not very expensive and should be done within a few hours.

If you scheduled an appointment for a member of the security company to come to your house, ask them to show you some identification first. It is very common for thieves to pretend to be company reps in order to get into your home. This is a danger to your belongings and your family. Take care to steer clear of danger.

If you buy expensive electronics or appliances, throw the packages away the day that your trash pickup occurs. Doing so is like giving a burglar an invitation to target your home; he or she will know there is something good inside.

The Internet is your friend when searching for a home security company, so you should use it wisely. Check out reviews you find on the web. You’ll find it easy to narrow your choice down to three top contenders; your next step is to arrange to meet each of them to discuss your specific security needs.

Were you aware of how valuable your house wires are? Many people never realize this value until wires are stolen right out of their home. Copper is expensive and most wiring is composed of it, so stripping it is a great way for crooks to make a quick buck. To protect this expensive asset, hide your wires or make them hard to get to.

Do your landscaping keeping safety in mind. There should be no plants or greenery in front of doors or windows. If they are visible, people won’t be able to hide there while trying to break in. Plan your greenery and shrubbery for areas away from the direct path to your home to add beauty while still keeping your house safe.

Look online for a reputable home security business. Take a look at various websites and read over customer testimonials and details about various packages. After reading about these services, you can narrow down the results and use appointments for price comparisons.

Invest in a high quality paper shredder. Thieves may look through your garbage for information. You can also simply tear papers with personal information into small bits before you discard them.

If you come to your home and discover that your door has been left open, avoid investigating by yourself. This is dangerous because the thief may be right inside. Your best bet is to call the cops and wait until they arrive before you do anything else.

Dogs are an excellent way to protect your home. They are protective about their territory, plus they make noises that keep burglars at bay. You don’t even need a huge, vicious dog. Even the barking of a tiny dog can repel potential burglars, who want to avoid noises as they carry out their crimes.

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. Remember to cut up or break down those boxes and take them to the recycling center.

Don’t hide your keys in obvious places. Fake rocks are very easy to spot. Doormats are generally the first spot a person would look. Talk to a neighbor or someone that you know to hold your key. Otherwise, you should be more creative when it comes to hiding your key.

When you will be away from home, keep the curtains and blinds shut. Potential intruders will see what you are doing and get an idea of how many valuables you own if you keep your blinds open. If something desirable is visible, you can expect a break in. Keep them down as you sleep, too.

You should think about a wired system if maintenance is a concern. Wireless set-ups need battery changes all the time. You might forget to change out the batteries, which will result in your system not operating as it should. It can also be very costly to replace many different batteries.

Find out if the company you choose will give you the option of buying or leasing home security systems. Although purchasing the equipment will likely cost you more money initially, this cost will only occur one time. It won’t be a cost you have to pay for every month. Leasing is usually cheaper, but monthly fees can be high and you will need a contract. Investigate each option and determine which makes more sense.

A home alarm can be a good investment if police are notified when it sounds. Even better is to purchase alarms that are monitored centrally, so that the police are automatically contacted. You cannot depend on your neighbors to call them.

Never place a key in an obvious spot. Everyone knows about fake rocks. Doormats and rocks in front of the house are too obvious. It is best to simply ask a neighbor or trusted friend to hold on to an extra key for you. If you can’t, be creative where you put the key.

Sliding glass doors can be a huge security problem in lots of homes. They can be unlocked with a bit if jiggling. If your doors are not equipped with a security system, grab a pipe and cut it so that it fits the channel of the door. This keeps the door wedged closed so that it is harder to pry open.

Are you feeling a bit better informed on the subject of home security? The more you’re learning, the better it will be when you have to make this decision. Start today to put this knowledge to use and provide your home with security.

Keep the windows on the second floor of your home locked. Many homeowners neglect this step because they believe burglars won’t bother climbing your home. Burglars watch for open second story windows. This is known as a common weak spot, and criminals know all about this.