Do you need to buy a security system? Make sure you have thought this decision through before making a potentially expensive purchase! You should keep reading to learn more about the different habits you can adopt to make your home safer.

Do you keep your dog outdoors when you go out? Your furry friend is also a great storage place for your extra key. Attach the key inside their collar and make sure it can’t be seen. If your dog doesn’t like strangers, it’s even better.

Home security systems offer additional features besides loud alarms during a break-in. Many can be set for sounding their alarm if anyone enters. This can be useful if you’ve got small children that are able to open doors.

Is your ceiling resistant to fire? What about your flooring or roofing? This is a good way to protect your home against fires, for instance if you live near power lines or in a dry area. It’s best to prevent a fire before it starts.

Keep your jewelry, vital documents and other expensive items in a safe. You can’t have your valuable personal items and jewelry out in the open for anyone to see. Hide your safe in a place that is hard to get to, like a basement closet or an attic.

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 great to see new places and take a lot of photos, but posting them while still overseas lets thieves know your home is empty.

You should invest in fire-resistant roofing, flooring and ceiling. Your home will get added protection, especially if your environment is dry and has power lines. Avoiding fire hazards is a great way to keep things safe.

Solicit word of mouth recommendations from friends, colleagues and family members to find a great home security company or system. Your loved ones likely have dealt with this situation before. Make sure to ask neighbors for advice too.

Shut off phone ringers inside the home if you’re going to be gone for quite a while. A loud ring that goes unanswered can alert people to the fact that you aren’t home. This makes you more likely to be the victim of a burglary.

During the summer, remove all vegetation and dead wood from your yard. These can be fire hazards and can cause damage to your home. Clear your yard often if you want to prevent a fire from starting.

Security System

If you’ve got a garage, boost home security just by using it for only a car instead of storage. You will not have to worry about thieves taking your car if it is inside your garage. When your car is hidden, it will be hard for intruders to tell if you are home or not.

Regardless of the quality of your home security system, you need to have it checked each year. Get a security comapny tech to check it. The weather and animals are two things that may cause havoc on your home’s security system. If it’s not visible, you might not even know there’s a problem.

A good home security system monitors all entry points to your home. Windows need to be monitored too. Make sure the alarm is attached to all of them, and that monitoring is offered for all possible entry points. This will help to keep your family safe.

Security starts with new locks. Perhaps your roommate left town or you have gone through a messy divorce, and you need to feel that the home is safe. It is usually inexpensive and can be done in less than 24 hours.

Plug a rechargeable flashlight into an outlet in each room of your house in the event of power outage. Flashlights are essential since they let you move around in an emergency. Your whole family should be trained on the proper use and maintenance of flashlights.

Don’t put your spare keys under floor mats or plants. Instead of letting you into your home in the event you are locked out, you are providing criminals with easy access to your home. Thieves know about all these hiding spots. A better solution is to give your key to a neighbor you trust.

You can keep intruders away by always having your house lit up. Burglars don’t want to be visible. By minimizing dark and shady areas, you are taking away a potential burglar’s hiding spots. Keep your lights turned on during the night.

It is important that you do not put expensive valuables in plain sight. It is wise to invest in coverings for large windows that can give criminals a large view of your home. By reducing visibility into your home, you protect your belongings, safety, and you improve the interior beauty of your home.

Wireless home security systems are becoming more popular. While a wired system is more affordable, it also requires more extreme modifications of your home’s existing wiring. This could be a potential problem in the event that your power goes out. Wireless options are easy to install, need less maintenance and are not dependent on the home’s power source.

You need flashlights and plenty of batteries in each room just in case your power ever goes out. If the lights go out, they will ensure everyone stays safe. Teach your children how to properly use flashlights.

Get a paper shredder. Thieves might go through your trash bags to find bills for valuables or personal information. If you cannot afford a paper shredder, rip papers up into small pieces.

What do you need to personally feel safe? Some systems might not be adaptable to your situation. Some neighborhoods may do better with self-defense classes or having a dog, while others may require the best home security technology you can get. Know the risks so that you can make a better decision.

If you purchase a new TV or computer, don’t leave empty boxes from your purchases on the curb. Burglars pay attention to this, and it will make them want to break in and get the items. Remember to cut up the boxes when they’re emptied.

If you come to your home and discover that your door has been left open, avoid investigating by yourself. It can be dangerous to walk in on an intruder. Get on the phone to the authorities immediately.

When you will be away from home, keep the curtains and blinds shut. You do not want any part of your home visible to the public. You may have things inside that will tempt them to break into your house. Do not forget to close your shades before going to bed.

If a friend picks up your mail while you’re away, have them check for fliers on your door. Some intruders will place a flyer at your home to see if the flyer is removed immediately or not. If the flier is not moved, they know that the occupant is not around or on vacation.

Find out if the company you choose will give you the option of buying or leasing home security systems. Buying will save you a ton of money over time. On the other hand, while leasing is more expensive overall, it can get you a better system if you don’t have funds available immediately. You must review both options carefully to determine which will best suit your needs.

It is possible that you need a home security service or system in your home. It could just be that you need to shake things up a little at home. Research all options thoroughly to make an informed choice.

Don’t put your key in an obvious hiding place. Fake rocks are easy to spot. Doormats, too. Talk to a neighbor or someone that you know to hold your key. Otherwise, you should be more creative when it comes to hiding your key.