Do you know anything at all about security systems? If you discover that you don’t know much about the subject, read on. Keep reading, because it’s a costly investment for the safety of you and your loved ones.

Buy a safe so you can conceal your valuables in it. You can’t have your valuable personal items and jewelry out in the open for anyone to see. Keep the safe hidden in a hard-to-find location like an attic or a basement closet.

Security systems are more than just an alarm. Most security systems can facilitate alarm sounds anyone enters. This can be useful if you’ve got small children that are able to open doors.

If there are folks you don’t know or trust in your social network online, don’t let them know you are going away. While you may want to shout it from the rooftops, you’re letting everyone know that your home will be vacant and easy to rob.

Spare Key

You should mute your land line phone if you are going on a vacation. If a burglar keeps hearing your phone ring, they’ll know the home is not occupied, making it more likely for a break-in to occur.

Make sure that you hide your spare key in a good spot. Intruders will more than likely check under your doormat or above your door frame. One good place to hide a spare key is in the collar of a dog that does not take kindly to strangers.

Don’t let people into your home unless you know them. Even people who claim to need help may be out to harm you. Some people will simply knock on your door to see whether or not there is a security system installed, and if there isn’t, they may target you later when you’re away.

Secure your garage. There is a way to stop thieves from entering your home from the garage. A C-clamp placed on the garage door track will stop it from opening when you don’t want it to.

Store your car in the garage if you have it. This will keep it away from thieves and vandals. Additionally, if your car is put away, burglars will not be able to tell whether or not you are home.

When having a company install your security system, you must trust your feelings. You should be very picky when it comes to letting people inspect your home. You should not hesitate to ask if you can work with a different representative or find a different company if you are not comfortable. Security is supposed to give you peace of mind after all!

Alter the combination of the locks in your home. Changing the locks will ensure that you are the only one who knows the combination. This is a very easy process that you can complete within a day.

Don’t forget about the skylights when securing your home. Skylights have a good function, but unfortunately they also often provide a way for a burglar to enter. Use heavy-duty hardware to secure your skylights to the roof.

Use your wall spaces to hide your valuables. You do not need to remove segments from your walls. There are lots of places around the home that have pre-cut areas that you can use. Remove the wires from an electric socket you do not use so you can hide your valuable jewelry.

Security System

While an alarm system or other security measures can make your home much safer, you must be sure that your security wiring isn’t exposed. You don’t want a burglar to get access to them and disable your system. To provide maximum security, wiring should be laid underground or installed safely within the walls of your house. Your system will be far more effective this way.

If you have a home security system installed, make sure the wires are hidden. One of the ways an intruder can get around a security system is by disconnecting or cutting the wires. Do not make entry into your home easy. Make sure the wires are not exposed either inside or outside your home. You’ll be safer.

Alter the locks and the keys when you change homes. Although other tenants might not have a key anymore, they could have copied it. You can install locks yourself to make sure you’re the only one who has a key.

Replace rotted wood that surrounds your door frame. If a person wants to enter your home, rotted wood can easily be pried away. Replace this old wood if you want to keep your house safe.

Always ask for references before letting a contractor or a maid in your home. Run a criminal background check on them, as well. You can’t always be sure that maids, service workers or contractors are honest, and therefore giving out keys can be a big error.

When allowing a representative from any security company to enter your home, look for someone in uniform and ask to see an identification. Burglars are creative, and they often pose as a member of the security team to get inside. This proves rather dangerous for both your family and also your valuables. Be careful to avoid any potential dangers.

Consider your personal needs for safety and your security risks prior to looking for security systems. While these systems could be good for protecting your family, they aren’t for everyone. Sometimes just taking a class in self defense or adopting a loud dog is enough, while at other times a full fledged security system might be the way to go. Understanding your neighborhood, risks and budget constraints can help you to make the best choices.

Check someone’s references carefully before letting them come into your home. Be sure to perform a background check and look for any criminal history that might be in evidence. You do not know if the people you hire are trustworthy, so do not give them a key to your home.

If the front door is open when you get home, resist the temptation to go in alone to find the reason. The burglar may be on the premises. You should call the cops and then wait for them before you do anything else.

Maintain the exterior areas in your house so they are well lit. Burglars love to operate in the dark. The most important parts of your home to light are all of its potential access points. This includes porches and doorways, the garage, as well as ground floor windows, which can invite an intruder.

If you are going to be out of town for more than a day or so, have someone check your mailbox and door for mail and fliers. Robbers will place these on your door and may invade your home if they are not removed. If the flier is not removed, it’s easy for a burglar to suspect that the owner is away.

You should not enter your home if you find the door ajar. Keep in mind that intruders could still be inside. Instead, call 911 and report a possible break-in.

Ask the company if they offer systems for lease and sale. Purchasing your equipment may cost more in the beginning, but this is a one-time cost which does not recur. The cost of leasing is lower at first but adds up over time. Pick the option that suits your particular situation best.

You should think about getting a home security system that is wireless. Systems that are wired are cheaper, but they need unattractive wiring inside your home and may malfunction when you have a power outage. The easy of installation and maintenance when it comes to wireless set-ups makes them the best bet.

If you must hide your key outside, do not put it someplace obvious. The classic fake rock is too common and too easy to detect. Doormats are generally the first spot a person would look. The best strategy is to have a neighbor or good friend hold a spare key in case you need it. If none of these options are possible, try to think of an unusual hiding place.

If you don’t own a paper shredder, it would be a good idea for you to buy one. Thieves often dig through garbage to obtain personal data that will help them enter the house. Cutting the papers into small pieces with a pair of scissors is another option.

If you’re worried about how you’re going to be able to maintain a wireless system, you may want to opt for a wired one instead. While wireless systems are great, they do require batteries on a consistent basis. If you neglect to change your batteries, the system can fail. Furthermore, it can be costly to replace multiple batteries.

Dogs are among the most effective home burglary systems. They are protective about their territory, plus they make noises that keep burglars at bay. You do not need a large, vicious guard dog. Small dogs also help, because intruders don’t want people to notice the barking.

Does your security firm offer lights with motion sensors? Many providers can supply this, and it switches exterior lights on whenever anyone comes near a point of entry. This will make an intruder hesitant to break in, and it will provide you with additional safety whenever you arrive home late at night.

If you want to keep certain rooms in your home private, you don’t need to lock every door with a key. Instead, key-less key code locks can work just as well. You can either install these locks by yourself, or have them professionally installed if you are not that handy yourself.

Most people try to avoid the neighborhood gossip, but you should try to get them in your good graces. They will be the first one to notice any strangers lurking near your home. If you make friends with them, it’ll be like having another set of eyes watching your home.

Never hide keys in obvious locations. If you place it under a rock, a good robber will find it. Another obvious location is underneath the doormat. This will be one of the first places that a burglar will look for your spare key. It’s better to have a friend, neighbor or relative keep a spare set of keys for you. If you can’t do that, you must think creatively to find a good place to keep a spare key.

Second floor windows have to be locked tight, too. Many people don’t think about burglars checking these windows. Oh, but they will. A burglar will attempt to get in any way they can.

If you possess a numeric keypad as a lock on your door, be sure not to make your birthday as your password. Your birth date is pretty easy to come by, especially for seasoned thieves. You should choose a number no one else will be able to guess and change it regularly.

If you have a large dog, it can really deter intruders. Anyone who breaks into your home wouldn’t want to be attacked. Get a dog that is friendly and good with your kids, while also being a good protector.

Always lock your second story windows. This is most often overlooked by a lot of people due to the fact that they don’t think a burglar will check them. Do not underestimate intruders. This is something that is a weak area, and criminals will go right to them.

It is always best to not put your expensive belongings on display in the windows where everyone can see. If you can see a big screen tv or computer from outside your home, a thief can see it too. Consider putting in drapes or blinds in order to prevent people outside your home from seeing your interior furnishings. If this isn’t possible, move valuable items into another room.

Since reading this article, what is your feeling about home security? The more knowledge you have, the easier time you will have of it. Keep the guidelines in your mind when making these choices today.

Try to find a security firm that provides more than hardware alone. A reliable company will inspect your home, and give you ideas about improving its safety. These suggestions could include putting in or replacing locks, trimming your shrubs, or putting in windows that are more secure. You should ensure your company has your security in mind. If they truly care about it, then they will talk to you about these things.