You should be concerned about the type of security you have for your home. It is impossible to know when someone might break into your house, or even hurt the people inside. Read on to learn how you can secure your home and your possessions.

Home security systems offer additional features besides loud alarms during a break-in. Modern systems are often capable of detecting any open door or window and announcing that fact. This is a valuable safety feature for parents of small children since they know if their child has exited the home.

Spare Key

Do not open your door for people you do not know. People often think of ways to trick others into letting them in so they can steal from them. Be sure that everyone in your home knows not to open the door to strangers and unexpected visitors.

Your dog could carry a spare key for you. This really only works if you’ve got an outdoor dog or if you’ve got a pet door. 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.

Secure your attached garage. A common concern expressed among homeowners is that someone might enter their garage and use that as an entrance to their home. There is a solution, however. If your garage door happens to lift on a track, using a C-clamp can help. the C-clamp prevents the door from opening if it’s tightened on the track close to the roller.

Buy a safe to contain everything of great value. This is vital if you don’t want diamonds, gold or other personal items exposed to a home intruder. Keep it hidden in a hard to find location.

See what the local police offer when it comes to home protection programs. The police can offer you some great advice, help you engrave valuables and even come check out your home. Get in touch with the department to determine their offerings.

If you retain a space key for when you get locked out, consider the place you hide it carefully. Above a door frame or under a mat are not smart ideas. Try hiding your key somewhere more unique, like your outside dog’s collar.

It doesn’t matter how much money you spent, you should have an annual test. A security professional should visit to help with the testing process. There are many things that can be problematic with regards to home security systems, like wayward wild animals and the environment. You may not know there’s an issue if you can’t see it.

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’s natural to be excited about your trip, but this is as good as throwing out the welcome mat for people who know your home is unoccupied.

Listen to your intuition as to whether your system is being installed by a trustworthy home security company. This is particularly true if you’re uneasy with those that install your actual system. If you simply are not comfortable with a company’s technician, request for another technician or simply hire another company. The point of that system is to feel safer after all.

Before agreeing to work with a security company, check with your friends and family for recommendations. It is probable that you will hear some great stories about some companies as well as some not so great stories about others. This can save you the hassle of having to research everything on your own. By asking around, you will gain information about the pros and cons of a variety of options.

Are you aware of the value of your home’s wires? People don’t realize this until it is stolen. The copper inside the wire is very valuable and may be stripped off the exterior of the house in a short time span. Be sure that your wiring is concealed or difficult to access in order to keep your wires safe.

Secure your attached garage. A common concern expressed among homeowners is that someone might enter their garage and use that as an entrance to their home. There is a solution, however. You can use a C-clamp to secure the door and prevent it from being opened by strangers.

If you want to make your house even more secure, a cheap way to do that is to buy outside lights with motion detectors. They lights will light up your property at night and they are cost-effective and efficient. They also help to keep intruders away, because an intruder does not want to come close to your property if they know they might be spotted.

Police Department

Keeping your home very bright during the night hours is an excellent way to prevent thieves. They don’t want anyone to see them. Making your home’s exterior nice and bright will make it impossible for crooks to go undetected. Keep those lights shining brightly at night.

The police department in your area may offer a home protection program. These programs may include engraving identification codes on your valuables, home inspections, and advice about home security. Your police department will be able to help you find out what is available in your town.

Ask the home security company about how long they’ve been running prior to signing up. Many years of service bode well for the company’s performance. You’ll have a lot more confidence in your choice if you stick with a company that has a proven track record.

You should not be shy. Speak with your neighbors. Agree to watch each other’s homes while you are away. Don’t ignore the gossip. You may find out helpful information about strangers lurking around.

Request that prospective security firms design a system specifically for your home. All homeowners and homes differ. You’ll get the best protection by using a company that can tailor a plan to your requirements.

Place your valuables in cut-outs in your walls. You don’t have to damage the walls to do so. You can find pre-cut areas in your walls that can be used. What about un-wiring an electrical socket which isn’t used to utilize as a cover to hide your jewelry?

Break down the boxes from your new TV or computer rather than leaving them on the side of the road. These boxes are a signal to burglars that you have something worth stealing. After removing the contents from these boxes, tear or cut them up.

Regardless of how long you plan on being away from your home, always lock all the doors and windows whenever you leave. Most real-world burglars aren’t master lock-breakers; they simply stroll in through a door left carelessly unlocked. It does not take a long time for a robber to pilfer items worth thousands of dollars.

Discuss various contracts offered by any home security provider you are exploring. Compare the pros and cons of different options. You may pay less if you sign up for longer, but you might also get left with a contract if you have to sell your house. Shorter contracts have more freedom, but the monthly costs could be higher.

Are you aware of the value present in the wiring in your home? Many folks are not aware of this until a thief steals it. The reason they are valuable is because of their copper. A burglar can easily strip off your wires from the outside of your home very quickly. In order to protect yourself from this risk, make sure wires on your house are difficult to find and hard to access.

Do not use spring latch locks on your doors. These locks are easy to pick, and it can be done with an ordinary credit card. Intruders simply use a credit card inside the latch, making the lock open. If you have spring latches already installed, consider adding deadbolts too.

You can add a great deal of security to your home by installing a system of motion activated exterior lighting. These lights provide extra light for your home and are very cost efficient. When placed appropriately, no one will be able to break in unannounced.

Keep blinds, shades, and curtains closed when you’re not home. You do not want any part of your home visible to the public. If they notice something valuable, they’re more likely to invade your home. Curtains and blinds should be drawn shut while you are asleep.

Having light on in your home at night will scare crooks away. That’s because they want to remain hidden. If your home is well lit, thieves won’t have any place to hide, so they may not want to steal anything from you. Keep the lights on if you want your home to be secure.

Think about a security system that is hard-wired if you really have concerns about maintenance costs. Wireless set-ups need battery changes all the time. Forgetting to change out the batteries leaves you insecure. It’s also very costly to replace a lot of batteries at once.

Your landscaping should be designed based on what will be safest for your home. Your doors and windows should not be obstructed by shrubs or fences. If windows and doors can be easily seen from all areas, then burglars cannot hide as well, which will hinder their plans. Put landscaping farther away from the house for greater safety.

Take extra measures to keep valuables that cannot be replaced secure. Passports, jewelry and expensive electronics must be secured at all times. You may want to invest in a floor safe for these. For added safety, place them in a safety deposit box at your bank.

The areas outside your home should be kept well lit. It will be easier for intruders to keep an eye on you and approach your home if they can hide in the dark. So it’s smart to put a light in typically darker corners around your home. Some examples include first story windows, garages, doorways and porches.

Replace flimsy doors with doors made of solid wood or metal. These doors are much more sturdy. Few people can kick down such a door. The cost of replacing these doors is very minimal if they were to break.

Consider installing a surveillance system for your home. Video cameras are a great deterrent. Visible cameras can deter many intruders and if they disable them, the hidden cameras can still capture footage. A lot of surveillance systems may be accessed through a cell phone, letting you check on your house when you’re away.

Women who live alone or along with children are the most likely targets for burglary. A pair of recently worn workmen’s boots on the front porch can give an impression of a strong man living at home. Burglars should pass on by.

While you shouldn’t live your life in fear, it is important to be realistic about the dangers of society. Always be prepared for the unexpected. Make your family and home safe by applying what you’ve learned.

Locks that can’t be locked from the outside are not adequate. Use a deadbolt which has a key on the outside and inside for the best security.