How much do you understand about home security? If you don’t know anything, you need to work on learning more. A security system for your home is a big investment, but one that will pay off in keeping your family safe. Read the tips here for guidance.

Spare Key

Always change the locks after moving into a new home. It’s important to know everyone who has a key to your home. Call a locksmith as soon as you can for maximum security. Also, if you lose your keys, change the locks.

Your dog can actually safeguard a spare key. If your dog lives outside or is able to come and go through a dog door, this is a viable idea. Attach the spare key to your dog’s collar. By doing this, you have a handy spare key whenever you need it.

If you retain a space key for when you get locked out, consider the place you hide it carefully. Common places to hide a spare key are above your door frame or underneath your doormat. Therefore, thieves are more likely to check these places out first. You should hide it in your dog’s collar.

Do you keep your dog outdoors when you are away from home? This is a good spot for keeping your spare key. Stash the key on the pup’s collar to keep it out of sight. Especially if pets don’t like strangers, this can be a useful way for having easy access to your house.

Buy fire resistant flooring, roofing and ceiling. This adds an extra layer of protection to your home, especially if you live in a very dry area with power lines. Investing in fire-resistant materials will help you save a lot since a fire can cause extensive damage.

Ask friends for some advice before choosing home security companies and systems. Others have likely had both good and bad experiences that they can share with you that can then save you a lot of stress and time. Making a great choice is important, so this advice will come in handy.

When you’re going away, turn off your phone ringers. A ringing phone that goes unanswered may signal to a burglar that nobody is home.

Try installing motion-sensor lights. These lights will come on if someone walks near your house. These lights will not only let you know when someone gets too close, they will also stop potential burglars from breaking in. After all, burglars don’t want anyone to know they are there. Don’t forget to replace the bulbs when they burn out.

You need to change our locks as your first step to ensuring your safety. Not everyone who leaves your house will leave happy, and a fresh set of locks will protect you from both former residents and acquaintances of your own looking to cause mischief. You can change the locks in a single day, and the hardware is not very costly.

Get creative and hide valuables inside your walls. It’s not necessary to cut out parts of your wall to do this. There are lots of places around the home that have pre-cut areas that you can use. Perhaps you can use an old electricity socket as a place to hide your valuables.

Keep valuables out of sight of windows. 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.

Always lock your house, no matter how briefly you expect to be gone. Many burglaries happen because the intruders can just walk right inside. A thief can take plenty of valuables in minutes.

Do not let people on the street see valuable items in your home. It is wise to invest in coverings for large windows that can give criminals a large view of your home. If your windows face a street, be sure they’re always covered and have your valuables safe.

If the home you are moving into is not brand new, you should change the locks on all the doors. The previous owners or tenants might have made some copies of the key. You might even purchase and install your own locks so that you are assured of having the only keys.

Make sure to ask for identification for any home security company representative. Having the name of the technician coming to your house ahead of time can help to ensure you are allowing someone who really works for the company into your home. This is dangerous to your valuables and your family. You want to use caution to prevent danger.

Always lock your house, even if you are only going to be away for a few minutes. Most burglars gain entry to a home through an unlocked door. It won’t take long for thieves to steal lots of expensive valuables.

Take advantage of the Internet while comparing your home security options. Review different websites and review comments from previous customers. You’ll find it easy to narrow your choice down to three top contenders; your next step is to arrange to meet each of them to discuss your specific security needs.

The outside of your house should be well lit. Criminals love darkness to help mask their crimes. Install lights in areas that possible criminals can use to enter your home. This can include the garage, doorways, porches and other areas which invite an intruder in.

Even the wires inside your home are worth something. A lot of people do not know this until a thief steals them from the house. The copper inside the wire is very valuable and may be stripped off the exterior of the house in a short time span. Hide the wiring and make it harder to access to prevent this from happening.

Put up video surveillance. Video cameras are an excellent way to keep your home safe. Visible cameras can scare intruders, and hidden ones can catch them in the act. You can often view these feeds over the Internet, too.

Break down the boxes from your new TV or computer rather than leaving them on the side of the road. A burglar may see the box and decide to target you as a result. Break the boxes down, or take a scissors to them to help them fit in your trash can.

Flashlights in your home should always have newer batteries if your power goes out. If the lights go out, they will ensure everyone stays safe. Make sure each member of your family knows where the flashlights are and how to operate them.

Avoid storing car registration in your glove compartment. If someone breaks into your car, that person can view your registration and instantly know where you reside. Keep them in your wallet or in another safe place in your car. They have to be accessible in the event you are in an accident or receive a speeding ticket.

You should think about a wired system if maintenance is a concern. Although wireless systems are easier, they usually require a lot of batteries that require changing regularly. If you do forget to have them changed, the system will not work right. Also, frequent battery replacements can be costly.

You should find out how many years of experience your home security service has. It doesn’t take long for a quality company to prove itself in the security business, and you should look for a track record of satisfied customers and successful work. You’ll find it a lot easier to put your faith in the professionals if you take the time to verify their trustworthiness.

Floor Windows

Always lock your second and even third floor windows. People often overlook their second floor windows, assuming that thieves won’t check them. This isn’t true. Never underestimate the ability of an intruder to get into your home if they are really determined.

You should find a home security company that will inspect your home and put together a customized system. The needs and wants of each family and the configuration of each home are quite individual. If there is a company that can come up with a customized plan, you will get what you really need.

Make sure you select captive keylock deadbolts. This is a great type of lock, because it cannot be opened from the inside without a key. Leave a key inside the lock in case there’s an emergency.

Women are usually targeted for home invasion, particularly if they live alone or live with their kids. Try placing big, muddy boots on your front step to create the illusion of a big, active man living there. This will make criminals think twice before breaking into your home.

For maximum safety, your home needs bright exterior lighting. Burglars tend to commit crimes at night. You should put a light on any area where a person could break in. This can include garages, doorways, porches, and even near any windows on the ground floor.

How are you feeling after you’ve read more in regards to home security systems? When you know more, the more likely you are to make a smart choice when deciding security issues. Keep the information above close as you consider the options.