How much are you willing to pay for home security? Can you afford a monitored security system? Do you wish there were cheaper solutions available to you? They do exist, and they are much more cost-effective than you may think. Read this article for helpful and cheaper security ideas.

Create the illusion that your home is constantly occupied. Invest in timers to automatically turn on and off any electronics at various times. This way, it will appear that you are at home. This is an excellent technique that helps avoid robberies while keeping the property safe.

You can hide your spare key on your dog. Outdoor dogs or pet doors make this possible. Just place your key on your dog’s collar.

Use your dog as the protector of your spare key. In order to make this work, your dog either needs to stay outside or have access to a pet door. Simply attach a spare key to your dog’s collar (in a secure and non-visible place, of course) so that you’ll be able to retrieve it if you need it.

It is crucial that you change the locks as soon as you move into a new residence. You don’t know who might have a key. Call a locksmith to make sure you’re the only one with access to your home. Give a key to someone you trust in case you get locked out.

After you purchase a new home, change the locks. You will want to have a unique combination to stay secure. To make sure you’re the only person that can get into your home, contact a locksmith. You should also do this if your keys ever get lost.

Only provide your house cleaner with a key if you trust him or her implicitly. 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 you are using a cleaning firm, make sure it has an excellent Better Business Bureau rating.

Your friends may have some great advice for choosing the right company. You can benefit from the experience of others that have gone before you by paying attention to their recommendations and warnings. Taking a little time to listen can make you a much better decision maker when it comes to home security.

Do you keep your dog outdoors when you go out? He or she is actually a great place to store your spare key. Secure the key on the inside of the dog’s collar. Your dog is an especially good key hiding spot if he doesn’t react well to strangers, since they won’t approach him, but the key will be there if you need it.

Turn off your phone’s ringer when you go on vacation. A constantly ringing phone lets thieves know that you are not home and could increase the chances of you getting robbed.

Keep your jewelry, vital documents and other expensive items in a safe. If a burglar enters your home, he or she will have a hard time making off with your possessions. Keep your safe in your basement or attic to make it hard to find.

Secure your garage. Lots of people are afraid that burglars will be able to break into their garage, which will result in them breaking into the home. Thankfully, you can prevent this. Place a C-Clamp on the door track near the roller. This will prevent the door from lifting.

When you set out to purchase home security equipment, remember to comparison shop. The prices can vary a great deal for the same level of protection from company to company. Get three quotes or more before making a choice.

In the summer, remove vegetation and dead wood from your yard. As things heat up in the summer, items may catch on fire and threaten your home. Clear your yard often if you want to prevent a fire from starting.

You have to keep your budget in mind when considering your home’s security. If you cannot afford expensive systems, you can try the inexpensive methods to increase your home’s safety. The article you just read gave you some great ideas. These tips can really help you out if you don’t have a lot to spend.

Check with the police department in your town for home security tips and advice. There are plenty of things that can be done, from a safety walk to cataloging expensive items to help protect your investment and your family. Discuss the possibility of this sort of program with your police department.