If you own a home, you should learn how to protect yourself. There is a ton of information about home security, and it can be hard to sort through it all. The following article contains the most important home security information.

Do you have a dog that stays in your yard when you’re not at home? They can help you with your spare key. You can attach your key to your dog’s collar in order to keep the key hidden. This works especially well as storage if your pet isn’t too fond of strangers.

Make your home look occupied at all times. Buy timers so things will go on and off at different times. This will make your home look like someone is in it. This will keep people from breaking in.

The best home security systems do much more than sound the alarm (literally). They can be programmed to alert the homeowner if a person enters the home. This isn’t just for burglars; parents with young children can also use it as a valuable tool to know when their child has come inside.

Don’t let everyone in your social network know that you are leaving the home unprotected for your vacation trip; especially the people who you aren’t familiar with. It can be exciting to tell everyone about your vacation, but you could potentially be letting a burglar in on your whereabouts.

You should only provide a house cleaner your key if you completely trust them. If you plan on giving them the key so that they can work in your home for over an hour, make sure that they’re reputable, hardworking, and honest. Check references thoroughly. If the person is an employee of a firm, call your local BBB to check their reputation.

Never allow str4angers to enter your house. Be wary of those who come to your door selling products, asking for help, or telling sob stories. It’s quite possible that your charming guest is only interested in evaluating the security of your home; if they find it lacking, they may be back later to relieve you of some of your possessions.

Police Department

Ask your friends for advice before you choose a home security system or company. Other people are sure to have opinions and experiences to share. Taking a little time to listen can make you a much better decision maker when it comes to home security.

Check with the police department in your town for home security tips and advice. They may offer things such as home inspections, engraving tool loans, and other guidance about securing your house. Call the local police department and inquire as to what programs they offer.

You need to have your security system checked once a year. Get someone from the security firm to inspect it. Many factors cause issues with security systems like nature and wild animals. You might not even discover these problems if they aren’t easily sighted.

Be brave! Build up a rapport with the people who own homes close to yours. Look out for their property, and see if they will look out for yours. It does not necessarily pay to steer clear of gossip. You never know what sort of security issues you might become privy to.

Avoid being shy. Be friendly with people that live in the neighborhood. Keep an eye out for their houses, and request that they return the favor. You shouldn’t neglect gossip. It is often a good way to find out about security issues, such as strangers in the neighborhood.

If you’re in a rural place, you might not be as worried about break-ins as those that are in the city. Some think residents of the country are even more vulnerable because there are no close neighbors. Some people, though, believe that you will not be at risk for a burglary.

Use motion sensors on exterior lighting. These lights turn on if someone walks closely to your house. You will receive advance warning of any potential issues, and a would-be intruder will probably be scared off. Just do not forget to replace the bulbs periodically to keep them functioning at all times.

Keep your most valuable possessions inside your walls. This doesn’t necessarily involve chopping up your walls, either. There are many spots in your home that already have areas that are pre-cut. What about un-wiring an electrical socket which isn’t used to utilize as a cover to hide your jewelry?

It is a good idea to get some history on any home security companies you are thinking about doing business with. A reliable home security company is one that has a long history in the community and can offer references from satisfied customers. Knowing that you are dealing with a shady company can keep you calm when making this crucial decision.

It is important that your valuables are not visible from anywhere outside your house. Though it is nice to have big windows to get a great view of the outdoors, it is also easier for burglars to look into your home. If you have windows that face the street, always keep them covered and keep your valuables safe.

If you see that the door is open, do not enter the house. This can be quite dangerous because the burglar may still be on your property. The best thing to do is call the police and wait for them to arrive before doing anything else.

Purchase a paper shredder to prevent your discarded papers from providing burglars with valuable information. Many thieves sift through trash for personal info and to figure out when you plan to be away. You can also simply tear papers with personal information into small bits before you discard them.

Regardless of how long you plan on being away from your home, always lock all the doors and windows whenever you leave. It may be shocking, but many home invasions and burglaries occur by intruders walking through the front door that was left open. It does not take a long time for a robber to pilfer items worth thousands of dollars.

Keep burglars on the outside of your garage by making sure nobody can actually see inside the garage. Frosted windows prevent thieves from looking into your home and are inexpensive. Never leave the front door open for very long.

You should never use your birthday as the password for your numeric keypad. Anyone can get personal information online which they can use to access your home. Instead, come up with a trickier password that only you will know the answer to.

The alarm system you choose should protect more than just the doors to your home. All of your windows are possible entry points for a thief too. Be sure your alarm is secured to them all and that monitoring is in place for every point of entry. This helps ensure your family stays safe.

Every homeowner needs to know all there is about securing their home. Unfortunately, separating the good information from the chaff can be quite a job. It’s great to remember this information if you need to become more knowledgeable about home security.