You might know someone that has been a victim of a home invasion. Home invasion crimes are happening more often, and you need to take steps to keep your home safe. A burglary can happen in any neighborhood. Read this article to get ideas on securing your home.

You should always make sure your home looks like its occupied. There are timers you can use to make electronics turn on and off at random times. This will make it look like someone is home. This is a great way to keep your home safe and avoid burglaries.

Consider using your dog as a place to store 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. Latch the key on his collar and voila–you have a spare key available!

Buy 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.

When you decide to purchase a home alarm system, make sure you comparison shop. Most companies have different price schemes for the the same general level of protection. Try to get two or three quotes before making a decision.

If you retain a space key for when you get locked out, consider the place you hide it carefully. Never put a spare key under a doormat or above a door jam. Try hiding your key somewhere more unique, like your outside dog’s collar.

Spare Key

When planning to go away for a holiday, be sure to turn off the ringers on your home phones. Intruders might be attracted by a phone that rings constantly without anyone picking up.

Carefully consider where you hide your outside spare key. Never put a spare key under a doormat or above a door jam. You should hide it in your dog’s collar.

You should never open your door to someone you do not know. Nowadays, thieves are creative when thinking of ways to get homeowners to open a door and let them in. Create the rule that you just open a door to people that you expect to arrive.

Ask your friends for advice before you choose a home security system or company. You can learn a lot from people who have already dealt with these companies. Taking a little time to listen can make you a much better decision maker when it comes to home security.

It is important that you check your home security system periodically, at least once a year. Ask someone from your security company to come over and have a look. A number of things may cause your alarm system to have problems, including mother nature and wild animals. You may not even know there is a problem if it is not visible.

When moving into your new house, change every lock. You have no way of knowing whether the previous homeowner is trustworthy. Remember that other families may have lived there before that person as well.

Go with your gut when choosing a home security company to install a system. This is very true when you feel uneasy about the person installing the system. Make sure that the installer has experience installing your type of security system. You need to feel secure with the entire process.

If you move into a home or apartment that has been previously lived in, the first thing you should do is change the locks. You do not want anyone to have a copy of the key. Find a reliable locksmith who can replace the locks or do it yourself.

Use your wall spaces to hide your valuables. It is unnecessary cut space into your wall. There are many spots in your home that already have areas that are pre-cut. An unused outlet can be taken apart, and the space used to create a tiny hidden safe.

Be certain to read the entire contract when you hire a home security firm. There might be hidden costs or other things you should know about. You want to try to avoid these fees whenever possible, so make sure you are aware of them.

Don’t put your spare keys under floor mats or plants. Remember that you are not the only one who is aware of these sorts of hiding places. Thieves are tricky, diabolical, and familiar with any and every hiding place. Rather, keep your spare keys with a neighbor you trust.

It is a good idea to get some history on any home security companies you are thinking about doing business with. Look for a security company that is well-established and has extensive experience in the industry. You should not trust a company that does not have a good record with your local Better Business Bureau or few years of experience.

It is important that your alarm system wiring is not exposed anywhere. One of the ways an intruder can get around a security system is by disconnecting or cutting the wires. You don’t want to help them by doing this, so make sure you have the wires within the walls. It will keep your family safer.

Your home’s exterior needs to be well lit. Thieves like to commit crimes when no one can see. Motion sensor lights can work great because they can also alert you when someone does come onto the property. Consider all your doors, porches, patios, decks, garages and all ground-level windows.

If you make a large purchase, like a big screen television, don’t simply set the box out in front of your home. Having these type of boxes hanging around will give robbers a good idea of what type of merchandise you have inside of your home.

Never enter your home if you arrive and find the door open. This is very dangerous due to the fact that the thief can still be inside your property. Instead, wait outside until the police come, after calling them on your cell phone.

Replace all the locks in your newly purchased home. While the person you bought the home from may seem on the up and up, you have no idea who they really are. Besides, other tenants or owners might have copies of the key if the previous owners did not change the locks.

If you haven’t gotten a paper shredder, it may be time to purchase one. You would be surprised at how often thieves look through trash to find personal information to find out when you will be away from home so they can break in. If a shredder is too expensive, at least tear relevant paperwork into small bits.

If you’re hiring a company for home security, be sure to read any fine print before you sign that contract. There may be hidden expenses involved if you terminate service before the contract term is up, and there may be added equipment fees. You’ll want to avoid any surprises so be sure and read your contract carefully.

If you are going on a vacation, ask a neighbor to pick up your mail and check your home for flyers. It isn’t uncommon for burglars to put up fliers to see whether or not they’re removed. By your neighbor taking the flyer, it appears as if you got it yourself.

Get some professional assistance by asking a home security company to come to your house and work up a plan for a customized security system. All homeowners and homes differ. If you find a company that will tailor the plan you choose to your needs, you can get the highest level of security that makes you feel comfortable.

Put a surveillance system in your home. Installing hidden and visible video cameras is great for securing a home. Intruders will stay away from your home if they notice cameras and hidden cameras can help identify intruders if they disable the most visible cameras. A lot of surveillance systems may be accessed through a cell phone, letting you check on your house when you’re away.

A wireless security system for your home is a great option. Wired systems could cost less, but they can also require intrusive electrical work inside your house and can fail when the power goes out. A wireless system is easy to install, and will not become inoperable if your power goes out.

Can you read your house numbers while in the street? If an emergency happens, the police can’t get to the home as quick if your numbers are obscured in any way or are too small. Happily, it’s quick and easy to fix this problem.

Make sure the inside of your garage isn’t visible. Have your windows frosted so they aren’t as easy to see through. It’s also a good idea to avoid leaving your garage door open for any longer than absolutely necessary, even if you’re at home.

Do not think that expensive homes are the only targets for burglars. Thieves will hit any home that appears to be an easy target. By using these tips, you can keep your home protected from thieves.

If there are parts of your home you want no one else to enter, there is no need to lock doors or have a set of keys on you at all times. You can instead get key-less locks that work using a code. Any good security company can provide and install these locks, or you can even put them in yourself.