Every home should have a good home security system, but not everyone does this. All it takes to secure one’s home is a certain amount of knowledge. Read on to learn how you can set up an effective home security plan.

Beware giving keys to your maid unless the service has your absolute trust. If they will be there over an hour and you are thinking of giving them your home key, be certain they are honest, reputable and hard-working. Make sure you verify all references. If your cleaning person comes from a company, check with the BBB.

Is your dog outside when you are away? You could let your dog carry a spare key. Attach your key to your dog’s collar, ensuring that it can’t be seen. If your dog doesn’t like strangers, it’s even better.

When looking for a system to secure your home, do comparison shopping. Prices vary greatly in regards to the same protection for each company. Be certain to obtain multiple quotes prior to making your choice.

Buy ceiling, roofing and flooring which is resistant to fire. This will help you protect your home under all circumstances. Investing in fire-resistant materials will help you save a lot since a fire can cause extensive damage.

When looking for a system to secure your home, do comparison shopping. Every company offers different pricing. Be certain to obtain multiple quotes prior to making your choice.

Make sure the ringer on any phones in your home is turned off when you leave for vacation. If your phone is ringing while you are out, burglars will realize that no one is home, making your home very vulnerable to an attack during your time away.

Never open up your door to a stranger. Criminals can be endlessly inventive when it comes to generating a convincing story to force their way into your home. No matter how sympathetic the story, remember that it could all be a put-on. Make it a habit to only open your home’s door to people you were expecting.

Never let a stranger inside. Do not give in, even if a person uses a convincing story, asks for help or says they are selling something. There are some people who will just come in to see if you have a home security system, and if you do not, they could come back later when you are not home.

If you have an attached garage, make sure it is secure. There is a way to stop thieves from entering your home from the garage. However, you can use a C-clamp to help keep the door secure.

Use your garage for what it was intended: your car. If your car is in your garage there is less of a chance to vandalize or steal it. This can also keep people from knowing your schedule.

Home protection program details may be available at your police station. They often offer home inspections, seminars and even the ability to purchase items. A quick call to the non-emergency number at the police station in your town will tell you all you need to know.

Avoid coming across as overly shy. Introduce yourself to your neighbors. By knowing the people in your neighborhood, you can rest a little easier knowing that people are looking out for each other. It’s best to be in on any rumors in the area. You may learn some great information about security, such as if any strangers have been hanging around.

After installing a security system in your home, make sure any wires are hidden. Easily-accessible security wiring is a definite weak point in your home’s protection; the best alarm system in the world is useless if it’s easily disabled. Don’t make it easier for them, so have wires hidden in the house’s walls or buried. You will be much safer.

You need to have your security system checked once a year. Get someone from the security firm to inspect it. There are any number of problems that can cause malfunctions in your security system, from weather damage to animal activity. You may not even know there is a problem if it is not visible.

Be sure to replace all locks on a home you have bought. You don’t really know the people you purchased the house from or all the folks they shared keys with, so don’t place too much trust in the old locks. Aside from that, other people lived in the home even before the ones from whom you purchased the home.

A good way to scare off intruders is to keep your house lit at nighttime. They wish to avoid detection. It makes it look like you are home and makes it difficult for thieves to hide. Thus, you should always keep lights on at nighttime.

Do you live out in the country? If so, you might not be as worried about burglars breaking in as those people in the city are. Nonetheless, people in the country may be at greater risk due to being far away from neighbors. However, understand that regardless of where you live, a theft can occur anywhere. Therefore, you need to be prepared.

Safety should be kept in mind when you are planning your landscape. You should not let plants and shrub block your doors and windows. If these things can be seen by the naked eye, they won’t offer hiding places to potential criminals. Plan your greenery and shrubbery for areas away from the direct path to your home to add beauty while still keeping your house safe.

Before signing up for home security, find out how long they’ve been in business. A long-standing company has a track record in the industry that people can attest to. Knowing you are not dealing with a fly by night company gives you extra peace of mind when making this important decision.

Don’t hide an extra key under a rock or in a planter. Instead of letting you into your home in the event you are locked out, you are providing criminals with easy access to your home. For obvious reasons, experienced burglars know every possible hiding spot. A better option is to entrust an honest neighbor with a spare key.

If you get home and see the door is slightly open, don’t go inside by yourself to investigate. This is very dangerous due to the fact that the thief can still be inside your property. It is best to call the police right away and go to a safe place until the police check your home.

If you purchase a new TV or computer, don’t leave empty boxes from your purchases on the curb. A burglar sees this as an invitation to procure the item themselves. Break the boxes down, or take a scissors to them to help them fit in your trash can.

No matter how soon you plan to return home, you should lock your doors. In a lot of cases, home intruders enter through unlocked doors. A burglar can steal a lot of expensive stuff in a short amount of time.

The topic of home security is very important, but many people do not know much about it. Learning more about the concept should be a focus of anyone looking to protect their family and possessions. Thanks to this article, you now know where to begin.