If you are worried about home security, you have good reason. Knowing what a potential home invader will steal or how violent he will be is something you can’t predict. Read on to learn how you can secure your home and your possessions.

Use your dog as the protector of your spare key. But, this is only effective if your home has a pet door or your dog stays outdoors when you are not home. Place a spare key on the collar, and when you really need a spare, you know where to go!

Setting off an alarm during a burglary is just one of the valuable functions a good security system can perform. Some give offer the option to monitor all entries into the house. This isn’t just for burglars; parents with young children can also use it as a valuable tool to know when their child has come inside.

Keep your jewelry, vital documents and other expensive items in a safe. This will help to keep your jewelry and other valuables secured in the event of a break in. Keep it hidden in a hard to find location.

A spare key must be carefully hidden and not in the obvious spots that a person might think. Intruders will more than likely check under your doormat or above your door frame. A possible solution is to attach a key to your outdoor dog’s collar.

Buy fire-resistant building materials. This will help ensure the safety of your home, particularly if your home is located in a dry area. Fire prevention is always a good idea, and sometimes it can be a lifesaving idea!

Ask friend for any advice they have prior to purchasing a security system or service. Others have likely had both good and bad experiences that they can share with you that can then save you a lot of stress and time. Ask a few different people to help you make the best choice.

Social networking sites are great for keeping in touch, but post information sparingly. For example, you might avoid broadcasting when you are going out of town, especially if your friends list contains casual acquaintances. It can be exciting to tell everyone about your vacation, but you could potentially be letting a burglar in on your whereabouts.

Speak with the police in your town regarding the home security programs they have. They may offer things such as home inspections, engraving tool loans, and other guidance about securing your house. Call and see what is available.

You should talk to your friends and family about advice concerning certain home security companies. Most will be willing to share their likes, loves and loathes, especially as they realize how important it is to you. Do your research; it will help you make a good decision in the end.

The first thing to do is get your locks changed out. Anyone from an old roommate to a former tenant could have access to your home if you leave the old locks in place. This is something that you can do yourself and does not cost much money at all.

If you will be vacationing for an extended period of time, turn off the ringer on all the phones in your house. A loud ring that goes unanswered can alert people to the fact that you aren’t home. This makes you more likely to be the victim of a burglary.

The walls are a perfect hiding place. You can hide small valuables inside the walls. Simply take advantage of an unused switch plate, electrical outlet, or phone jack. If there are no unused plates, you can easily install fake ones.

Secure your garage. People often worry about people getting in through attached garages, but you have a solution. Get a C-clamp to secure your garage door if it is mounted on a track.

Keep valuables hidden within the walls. It’s not necessary to cut out parts of your wall to do this. There are many locales that are already around your home. Perhaps you can use an old electricity socket as a place to hide your valuables.

You should always park your car inside your garage instead of using your garage to store some belongings. If your car is in your garage there is less of a chance to vandalize or steal it. Keeping your car out of sight is also a good way to prevent intruders from determining whether or not you are home.

It is important that you do not put expensive valuables in plain sight. Though it is nice to have big windows to get a great view of the outdoors, it is also easier for burglars to look into your home. If your house has street-facing windows, make sure they are always covered and your make sure your valuables are hidden away.

Always go with your gut when it comes to choosing a security firm. This goes for the installer, too. Never be afraid to ask for a new installer or to get an entirely new firm. Ultimately, the whole point is for you to have peace of mind.

Security System

Those that live in rural area are not as concerned about having their home invaded as those who are located in the city. There are some who believe country folk are more at risk because neighbors are not nearby. Then again, others think rural areas are not as much of a target.

Don’t allow the wires of your home security system to be visible to others. An intruder can easily disable your security system by cutting the wires. You don’t want to help them by doing this, so make sure you have the wires within the walls. You’ll be safer.

Never place a spare key in a plant box or under your welcome mat. You may believe you are making life easier for yourself, but you may just be giving thieves simple access to your house. Thieves are familiar with these hiding spots. A better option is to entrust an honest neighbor with a spare key.

Take off your rose colored glasses and realize that bad things can happen to anyone. You need to be prepared for many different situations. Use the tips from this article to create a safer place for your family.

After making major (i.e. expensive) purchases, don’t dump the packaging out front if your next scheduled garbage pick-up is several days away. Having these boxes around for a while will give people an idea of what is inside your house.