You have to be as knowledgeable about home security as you can if you want to make the best choices for your family. This shouldn’t be a slap-dash decision. Figure out what you can afford and what is most important.

It is important for your home to always look lived in. Keep your radio, TV and lights on timers. This will make it look like someone is home. This is an excellent technique that helps avoid robberies while keeping the property safe.

Your dog can safeguard an extra key. Outdoor dogs or pet doors make this possible. Place a spare key on the collar, and when you really need a spare, you know where to go!

Your dog can safeguard an extra key. This will only be ideal if you have a dog door or an outdoor dog. Simply attach a spare key to your dog’s collar (in a secure and non-visible place, of course) so that you’ll be able to retrieve it if you need it.

Do you have an outdoor dog? They can help you with your spare key. Find a place to securely fasten the key to your pet’s collar where it’s not visible. If your dog doesn’t like strangers, it’s even better.

When you buy a new house, change the locks. Many people may have been given keys by the former owner. Have a locksmith install a brand new lock. Give a key to someone you trust in case you get locked out.

Buy a safe and use it to hold all of the valuables in your home. This is essential, because you would never want valuable jewelry and other items to be seen by intruders. Be sure to put your safe in an out of the way place like the basement, attic or under the floorboards.

Your flooring and roofing should be fire resistant. This can provide additional safety to the home, particularly in dry regions. Investing in fire-resistant materials will help you save a lot since a fire can cause extensive damage.

When looking to buy a security system, shop around. You’ll find a wide range of prices from different companies. Get a quote from several companies before making a final decision.

The walls of your home make for great hiding spots. Keep small, valuable items inside the walls of your home. All you have to do is place them behind any unused phone jack, electrical outlet or switch plate. If you’re using all your outlets, you can install phony ones.

If you retain a space key for when you get locked out, consider the place you hide it carefully. The doormat is too obvious of a place to hide it, as robbers will look there first. You could hide the key with your dog on the collar.

Change all of the locks in your new residence. Though you may not suspect that the seller is up to something, you still need to be careful. Bear in mind that other people may have lived in the home before the previous owner.

If you do not know the person at your door, don’t open it. You have no way of knowing if the stranger on the other side of the door wishes to do you harm. Enforce a rule within your house that no one opens the door to unexpected people.

Keep a flashlight with good batteries in every room of your home, just in case you lose power. Having a well-charged flashlight on hand is very beneficial in case of emergency. Train your kids how to use flashlights so that all members of the family can contribute.

Security System

Consider home security and safety when you are planning your landscaping. You should have a clear view out of all your windows and an unobstructed path to any doors. This way, no one can hide there if they are attempting to break into your house. Put these features at a greater distance from your house; let beauty also complement safety.

It is important that you check your home security system periodically, at least once a year. This is a job for professionals; get a security firm to inspect your equipment. Wild animals or plain old nature can wreak havoc on your home security system. If you don’t see the problem, you may remain unaware of it.

Always keep your home’s exterior well lit. Nothing is as attractive to a burglar as a dark, deeply-shadowed house. Install lights in areas that possible criminals can use to enter your home. This includes doorways, windows, and your garage.

If your home has skylights, don’t neglect to secure them. Skylights are a wonderful addition to any home, but they also tend to be weak spots that intruders take advantage of. Be certain to have skylights that incorporate strong, durable hardware.

Consider your personal needs for safety and your security risks prior to looking for security systems. Though such systems can be terrific for many, not everyone really needs one. In certain areas, it may be just as useful to learn self defense or buy a dog, whereas other places may require added measures. Be sure to assess the risk level you face before making big decisions.

Walls are the perfect place to hide. Small valuables fit nicely inside walls. Just use an unwired electric plug, light switch or phone box. If you have no unused plates, you can put in a fake one.

Don’t neglect your garage when it comes to home security. Be sure and shade your windows with window frosting, something that you can purchase at any hardware store, so as to keep people from looking in your house. Avoid leaving the door open for extended periods of time.

Always lock your house, even if you are only going to be away for a few minutes. You may be surprised to know that many burglars simply turn the doorknob and walk right in. It doesn’t take long for a thief to steal thousands of dollars worth of stuff.

When you’re not in your house, all of the window coverings (blinds, curtains, shades, or what have you) should be tightly shut. You don’t want potential intruders to be able to look inside. Intruders will break in if they see an item they want. These should also be kept down while you’re sleeping.

Don’t let any service people into your home without checking their references completely. Do not hesitate to hire someone to run a background check if you have doubts. You might not know that the maid or contractor entering your home is a crook, and this could be a very bad mistake.

Does your security company offer leasing and buying? It might cost more at first when buying the equipment, but you don’t have the extra cost each month. The cost of leasing is lower at first but adds up over time. It is worthwhile checking out both possibilities before you decide on which is best.

Keeping your home well lit at night can help keep the burglars away. They prefer not to be seen. If your house is well-lit, criminals will be hard pressed to be able to go undetected. Secure your property by creating a well-lit area.

If you always turn your lights on or off at the same time, use a timer. This helps the lights stay on and continue to switch even when you’re away from your home.

Your landscaping should be designed based on what will be safest for your home. Don’t provide burglars with cover by planting big shrubs in front of your doors and windows. With areas like these visible, there will be no hiding while attempting a break-in. Plan features like these further from your home to have a safe, beautiful design.

It can be tough to provide the proper level of security in a home equipped with sliding glass doors. They can be unlocked very easily if you shake and lift them. If your security system is not connected to the doors, cut a board or pipe the exact length of the door channel, and drop it in the space to secure the doors. This will help keep the door tightly closed and make it hard to open.

See how long the home security company has been around before you make any decisions. Companies in business for many years engender great confidence and trust. It will make you feel better knowing that the company you choose is not fly by night.

Locks inside are great, but you must be able to lock your home from the outside as well. The best lock is a deadbolt and those that have keys for the inside and outside can prevent burglars from opening them.

The outside of your house should be well lit. Dark houses invite burglars who prefer to operate under cover of darkness. Motion sensor lights can work great because they can also alert you when someone does come onto the property. This extends to doorways, porches, garages and lower windows.

Always change the keys and locks on a new home. This goes for both rentals and purchased homes, so be sure you talk to any landlord about getting the locks switched, or you can just do it on your own.

You should think about getting a home security system that is wireless. These systems are much more efficient and can save you time and hassle. Wireless systems tend to be easier for installation and maintenance, and they will not go out if your power does.

Don’t make it easy to see inside your home. When a computer is visible, for example, a criminal may see it. Be sure to put up good blinds and/or drapes to obstruct the view from outside. If you don’t think this is possible in a certain room, put more valuable items in a different room.

Could burglars see inside your garage? Make sure that they can’t! Frost your windows so people cannot look inside your home. If you use your garage for working on projects, don’t forget to lock it when you’re through working for the day.

Check and clean the carbon monoxide and smoke detectors in your home twice a year. Lint and dust can accumulate, making them ineffective. These devices could be rendered useless if not properly taken care of.

If you purchase pricey, new electronics, don’t place empty boxes on the curb. Don’t advertise that you have expensive new equipment! Break the boxes down, or take a scissors to them to help them fit in your trash can.

It has happened often where a person has knocked on someone’s door saying they needed help and then busts inside when the owner answered the door, wreaking havoc. If you don’t know the person on the other side of the door, don’t open it. You can call for help for them if necessary. If you are ever unsure how to handle a stranger, call the cops.

This article has shown you the light. You should not purchase the first system you find. The safety of your family and belongings should be a priority. Use these tips as you proceed.

Use infrared detecting sensors on your outdoor lighting. As someone approaches, the lights will come on. The effect is quite dramatic to an intruder who isn’t expecting it! This is a great way to chase thieves off of your property without having to resort to force of any kind.