Home security has become a huge market. Burglaries are rampant in all areas of the country. Thieves will target any houses that seem less secure than the others. If you want to avoid making your home a target, read this article for tips on securing your house.

Consider using your dog as a place to store your spare key. This really only works if you’ve got an outdoor dog or if you’ve got a pet door. Just place your key on your dog’s collar.

Make your house look like it’s always occupied. Buy timers so that lights, radios, TVs and all other electronics turn on and off at various times. This helps to create the illusion that someone is presently at home. This should help you make your home safer and not attract the attention of potential intruders.

If there are people you don’t know that have access to your social media sites, then you don’t want to let all of them know you’re on vacation. It can be exciting to tell everyone about your vacation, but you could potentially be letting a burglar in on your whereabouts.

Make sure you have a safe to keep valuable items in one place. A safe is the best way to protect your diamonds, gold and important documents. This safe should be hidden in a location where burglars won’t find it, such as a hole in the wall, the attic, or a basement closet.

Your garage needs to be secure. There is a way to prevent burglars from entering your home through the garage. A C-clamp placed on the garage door track will stop it from opening when you don’t want it to.

When you set out to purchase home security equipment, remember to comparison shop. You’ll find a wide range of prices from different companies. Get quotes from no less than three companies before choosing the best one.

Don’t think you’re not at risk just because you don’t live in a big city. There are some who believe country folk are more at risk because neighbors are not nearby. However, understand that regardless of where you live, a theft can occur anywhere. Therefore, you need to be prepared.

Don’t open your door if a stranger is on the other side. People you do not know could have bad intentions or want to get an idea of how many valuable objects you own. You should make sure you only open the door to your home for people that you know and are expecting.

Check each spring for any rotting frames on your doors and windows. Replace them immediately if you spot any problems. Anyone who wants to get into your home can easily pry away rotted wood and slip right into your home. Find a reliable contractor who can replace the door frame for you.

During summer, remove your landscape’s dead vegetation and wood. This sort of thing is a fire hazard in the heat of summer. Be sure all sorts of flammable items are kept under control around your home.

You can make your home safer by investing in some motion detectors and outside lights. These lights are not only handy when you get home late, they also help deter criminals from entering your home. If you position motion detectors properly, it is very hard for someone to sneak onto the property.

Have lights that are motion-sensor installed. These lights will come on if someone walks near your house. This lets you know something is moving and also drives off criminals. Remember to keep working bulbs in them at all times.

A bright home is a safe home. Burglars don’t want to be visible. If your house is well-lit, criminals will be hard pressed to be able to go undetected. Keep your lights turned on during the night.

Switch your 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. Most locksmiths can accomplish the job within 24 hours.

The most useful tool for finding home security is the Internet. Take a look at various websites and read over customer testimonials and details about various packages. With this information, you can contact the companies you feel comfortable with and compare the rates to each other.

Hide valuables in spaces in your walls. You don’t have to cut pieces out of the walls. Take a closer look at your walls and note just how many access points there are already. For example, you might remove the cover of an electrical outlet, disconnect the wires, and use the space to hide small valuables.

Don’t neglect your garage when it comes to home security. Use a frosted film to cover the windows. This can be purchased at many hardware stores. Also keep your garage door closed whenever possible, especially if you will be stepping away from it for an extended period of time.

Don’t ever place your spare key under your mat or next you a plant box. You might think this protects you against being locked out of your home, but it also gives intruders access to your home. Thieves are aware of the best hiding spots. Rather, give your key to a neighbor you find trustworthy.

Is your street number on your house visible from the street? In an emergency situation, first responders won’t be able to locate your house quickly if the numbers are hidden or are too small to see clearly. If you notice a problem, you should be able to fix it fairly cheaply, though.

The security of your home is essential for you and for your family’s safety. Crime may strike when you’re off-guard. What you’ve read here will help you to prepare. Make haste! Take action and find a good home security system as soon as possible.

Ask your home-security company about what contract lengths they provide to their customers. Each probably has its own set of positives and negatives. 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. While a short contract provides you with extra freedom, it can cost you more for each month.