Many people picture a tedious and annoying process when it comes to securing your home, especially when installation specialists come into your home. But, things can actually be easier than all of that. Look at this advice to quickly and easily secure your home.

Home security systems aren’t just about sounding alarms. Many systems sound an alert whenever people enter the house. This is important if you have small kids.

Any time you buy a new home, have the locks changed. You don’t know the exact number of copies of that key the previous owners have or have handed out. To make sure you are the sole person with access to the home, engage the services of a locksmith. Also, if you lose your keys, change the locks.

Make sure to use caution when deciding if and where to hide an extra key outside of your home. Doormats and door frames are predictable places that burglars will always check. You could hide the key with your dog on the collar.

Buy fire resistant roofing, flooring and ceiling materials. This will help ensure the safety of your home, particularly if your home is located in a dry area. Keeping fire hazards away is a great safety precaution since fire can cause lots of destruction.

Do not open your door for people you do not know. Burglars have many clever ways to convince householders to open the door. Make it mandatory that doors in your home are only opened for expected visitors.

Your friends may have some great advice for choosing the right company. You can learn a lot from people who have already dealt with these companies. Make broad inquiries so that you are able to make a well-informed decision.

Don’t overlook your garage as a potential access point for thieves. Many people are concerned about people entering their garages to gain access to their homes. A C clamp helps for garage doors on a track. The clamp actually keeps the door closed if tightened close to the track roller.

It can be a good idea to only leave one ringer on in your home when you are away. If your phone rings and is not being answered, criminals will realize that you’re away.

Always have your security system checked each year. The security company should have a specialist come to look at it. Wild animals or plain old nature can wreak havoc on your home security system. If you aren’t paying attention, you may not be aware of these problems.

Rural Areas

Be brave! Meet your neighbors. Watch their houses, and ask if they’d do the same. Pay attention to gossip. You might actually learn a thing or two concerning people that have been hanging around.

Those living in rural areas often don’t worry as much about intruders compared to city dwellers. Some think residents of the country are even more vulnerable because there are no close neighbors. Some think rural areas see less burglary.

The walls are a perfect hiding place. You can hide small valuables in your walls. Just access unused switch plates, outlets or phone jacks. Installing a false unused plate is very easy to do if your home doesn’t have one.

Do not hide your spare key under your doormat or in a nearby planter. Remember that you are not the only one who is aware of these sorts of hiding places. Burglars are well aware of such hiding places. Ask a friend, neighbor or relative to keep your extra keys for you.

Look for an alarm system that does more than protect your doors. Windows are a way for thieves to enter your home as well. Each point of entry for your home should be monitored by the system. This is vital to keeping your family safe.

You want an alarm system that protects more than your doors. It should protect the windows too. Attach the alarm to each window and ask for monitoring for them. This can mean the difference between a safe home and one that is an easy target.

Keep lights on at all times if you want to prevent break-ins from happening. Most intruders avoid anything that could reveal their identity. With a well lit home there is no place for burglars to conceal themselves. If you want to stay secure, keep your house brightly lit.

Rather than getting a security system put in, there are lots of other things you can do to add protection. Start with a few tips you feel most comfortable with. Keep these tips in mind and improve your home’s security.

The Internet is great for searching for home security companies, so use it to your advantage. Many websites offer reviews, recommendations, and detailed pricing information. After narrowing down your top five choices, you can then take the next step by contacting each one.