Security is an important aspect of owning and maintaining your home. You need not read copious amounts of material, however! This article will alert you to the top things to keep in mind when it comes to home safety.

Does your canine stay in the yard while you go out? This is a good spot for keeping your spare key. Put the key on the dog’s collar. This is especially useful if the dog does not take kindly to strangers.

Buy a safe so you can conceal your valuables in it. This is very important, as you do not want your gold, diamonds and personal items exposed if someone were to break into your house. Be sure to put your safe in an out of the way place like the basement, attic or under the floorboards.

Security systems are more than just an alarm. The majority of systems are able to be set to put out an alert when any individual enters the home. It’s a great feature for parents as they can tell if a child is potentially leaving the house.

Don’t just hide your spare key anywhere. Intruders will more than likely check under your doormat or above your door frame. Rather, think about putting a key on your outside dog’s collar.

If you like to have a key hidden in case you lose yours, place it in a safe place. Placing a key above a door or under a doormat is quite obvious! A possible solution is to attach a key to your outdoor dog’s collar.

You should mute your land line phone if you are going on a vacation. A ringing phone that goes unanswered may signal to a burglar that nobody is home.

Check out your garage to ensure that it is secure. Many people worry about burglars getting into their attached garage and then entering their home, but there is a fix. Use a C-clamp to secure the door if it’s off track.

Don’t let people into your house that you don’t know. Stay true to your safety, even if it appears the person has legitimate reasons for wanting entry. Some people will knock on your door simply to see whether you have a security system.

Be sure to keep your car in your garage rather than filling your garage with stored belongings. In this way, your car will be safer. This will help to keep your vehicle safe. Hiding it will help to deter people from tracking the times you aren’t there.

Security System

The first thing to do is get your locks changed out. Whether you have a roommate who is about to move out, or a relationship that has run its course, it is a good idea change your locks. It is not expensive and you can do it in less than a day.

When dealing with a company installing your home security system, it is important that you trust your gut. You should be very picky when it comes to letting people inspect your home. Do not hesitate to ask for a different person to install the system or even consider hiring a different company. Your security system is supposed to help you, not cause you more stress.

A good home security system monitors all entry points to your home. Your windows are also points of entry for burglars. Attach the alarm to each window and ask for monitoring for them. Do this to keep you and your family safe.

Walls make the perfect hiding spot. You can hide small valuables inside the walls. Target any unused phone jacks or electrical outlets for an easy hiding spot. You can also just put in a false plate to cover a hiding place.

You want all wires of an installed security system to be hidden. Burglars can easily cut the wires if they are visible. Make it hard for a burglar to avoid your detection. Your safety will increase.

Ensure that valuables are stored in a hidden area that isn’t visible from outside your home. Large windows at the home’s front can be beautiful, but it can make it easier for criminals to see inside. Keep your curtains drawn to keep your valuable items safe.

Get flashlights with good batteries, and have them in each room in case you lose power. They give you and your family the opportunity to move around should the electricity go out. Teach everyone in your home to use the flashlights so all family members can see and help each other.

The number one thing you must do if you’re moving into a new place is have the locks changed. The previous tenants may have returned the keys, but they could have a copy. You can even buy and install the locks yourself so you know that you are the only one with a key.

Always get references from anyone you are considering hiring to do work inside your home. Perform a background check to learn about their criminal history, too. You might not know that the maid or contractor entering your home is a crook, and this could be a very bad mistake.

Always get references from anyone you are considering hiring to do work inside your home. Run a criminal background check on them, as well. There is no way of knowing whether or not service people are honest, so you should not give them keys to your home.

Always go over the small print on contracts offered by your home security company. You may find fees appear unexpectedly, including excessive costs for ending your contract early. Avoid nasty charges or fees regarding early termination, contract expiration and additional features or equipment.

To increase your home’s security, buy some outdoor lights that are motion activated. This is a fairly inexpensive way to provide light and security to your property. Whenever you properly position these lights, they will make it almost impossible for burglars to sneak in.

Keep your outdoor areas well lit. Dark houses invite burglars who prefer to operate under cover of darkness. Install some outside lights so you can see everything outside. Consider all your doors, porches, patios, decks, garages and all ground-level windows.

Always enlist the powers of online research to help you make a smart choice when it comes to home security companies. Review different websites and review comments from previous customers. Make appointments with the three best companies, and take the time to go over the details and compare them.

Think about getting a wireless security system for the home. While wireless systems are often cheap, the cost of installation can be sky high. Wireless systems don’t need your home’s power in order to properly work. In addition, they can be usually be installed and maintained easier.

Perform landscaping for your home which enhances your home’s safety. All of your windows and doors should be unobstructed by plants, shrubs, trees or fences. Do not give robbers a chance to hide in any area. Have your landscape several feet away from your house for better safety.

If you do not already have a paper shredder, you may want to think about investing in one. Thieves often dig through garbage to obtain personal data that will help them enter the house. Rip your important papers up before throwing them away if you can’t get a shredder.

Request that prospective security firms design a system specifically for your home. There are always going to be unique things about your home as well as your specific needs, so make sure you think about these things. Most companies will create an individual plan to meet your needs so you can have a high level of security to assure your peace of mind.

Find out about the various lengths of contracts your chosen home security company has on offer. Each likely has its benefits and drawbacks. Longer contracts can lower your monthly bill; however, you may have to continue paying the bill even if you move or discontinue with their services. There’s more freedom with a contract that’s shorter, but the monthly payments may be higher.

It is worth your while as a homeowner to invest the time and effort needed to make your home secure. You need to sift through the mounds of information available to find the reliable tips you can use. Just review the tips given here to help you make your home secure.

Don’t fit your exterior doors with locks of the spring latch variety. These locks are easy to break into since they may be opened up with a credit card. This isn’t a difficult maneuver either. If you have spring latches already installed, consider adding deadbolts too.