Who really focuses on home security? Therefore, the best method of keeping your home safe is by educating yourself on the matter. The following article will give you some great advice for making your home more secure.

Your home should always look like it is occupied. You can purchase inexpensive timers that will control different electronics and lights in your home. This will give your home the appearance of someone being there. This should help you make your home safer and not attract the attention of potential intruders.

Place your spare key securely on your dog’s collar. Outdoor dogs or pet doors make this possible. Attach the key to your dog’s collar, and it will be handy if you ever need a spare.

Change all of your locks when you move in. You don’t know who might have a key. Find a good locksmith who can replace the lock and make a few copies of your key. Make sure you do the same thing if you lose your keys sometime.

If you need to leave a key for a maid service, make sure that that whoever cleans your house is professional and trustworthy. Before you give a cleaner full access to your home for extended periods of time, you have to be certain that they’re trustworthy and reliable. Ask for references and check them thoroughly. Call the Better Business Bureau to see if their firm is well-reviewed.

Buy a safe to contain everything of great value. If an intruder breaks into your home, at least these valuables will be secure. Keep your safe in your basement or attic to make it hard to find.

Do you keep your dog outdoors when you go out? Your furry friend is also a great storage place for your extra key. Attach your spare key inside the collar of your dog. This is a good way to ensure easy home access, especially if your pet does not associate well with strangers.

When you’re going away, turn off your phone ringers. If your phone rings and is not being answered, criminals will realize that you’re away.

Compare different systems when looking into home security. Wild variations in pricing can exist for similar security products. Get a quote from several companies before making a final decision.

Don’t allow anyone you don’t know to look into your house. While their story may seem legit, that doesn’t mean it is true. 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.

Go with your gut when choosing a home security company to install a system. This goes for the installer, too. Never be afraid to ask for a new installer or to get an entirely new firm. You want your new system to protect you, not be the way the thief gets into your home.

Do not tell anyone that you are going on vacation out of your friend circle. Although it’s fun to talk about, posting it online makes it more possible for criminals to find out when you’re gone.

Your risks of being the target of home intruders really doesn’t depend on the area in which you live. The risk is still there, so a home security system is vital. Still there are those that think that burglars are not as likely to target rural areas.

If you’ve got skylights, don’t forget about it when it comes to home security. Skylights are great for making a home brighter, but they can make it easier for burglars to access the house. Check that skylights have heavy duty hardware that can stand up under unwanted tampering.

Consider the advice of your friends when selecting your home security company. Most will be willing to share their likes, loves and loathes, especially as they realize how important it is to you. Ask a few different people to help you make the best choice.

Walls make the perfect hiding spot. Jewelry and other small items can be protected very well when placed in hiding places in your walls. You can use phone jacks or electric outlets as hiding spots. A security store will sell fake plates you can install anywhere.

If you purchase big-ticket items, don’t throw their boxes in the trash before trash day. You are alerting thieves that there is something worth stealing inside your home.

You should never open your door to someone you do not know. 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. Be sure that everyone in your home knows not to open the door to strangers and unexpected visitors.

Moving into an apartment or home that you’ve lived in should involve changing the locks first to maker them safer. While you may trust those who lived there before you, you have no idea who lived there before them. You can purchase and install locks yourself to make sure only you have the key.

When allowing a representative from any security company to enter your home, look for someone in uniform and ask to see an identification. 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. Intruders could disguise themselves as home security representatives to inspect your current security system. Act cautiously to avoid potential dangers.

It is not a good idea to hide a spare key on your property. While you may feel that you are keeping yourself safe by allowing a way in for yourself, you are also allowing everyone else to visit whenever they want. Thieves are aware of these hiding spots. The wisest course of action is to leave a spare key with a trusted friend or a reliable neighbor.

Carefully check the references of everyone before allowing them to enter your home. Don’t be afraid of conducting background checks to determine if they have a criminal history. You can’t always be sure that maids, service workers or contractors are honest, and therefore giving out keys can be a big error.

If you hire a security company, read any fine print. There might be hidden costs or other things you should know about. You’ll definitely want to avoid these types of fees if you can, so read carefully.

Lock the house, even if just going away for a short time. In a lot of cases, home intruders enter through unlocked doors. It doesn’t take long for a thief to steal thousands of dollars worth of stuff.

Before signing up for home security, find out how long they’ve been in business. Companies with a long history can give you the best service for many years. It’s good to know that the company won’t disappear overnight and leave your home unprotected.

Get your home security system custom built for your needs. Every house and every family will produce a unique set of security concerns that are best addressed with tailor-made security arrangements. By locating the company that will create the best plan for you, you will be assured you are receiving the best possible home security.

Don’t throw away boxes for expensive or valuable items until the garbage collection day. These boxes sitting outside your home serve as a flag for thieves to target your home.

A paper shredder can be a good security investment. You’d be shocked at how many times thieves search trash looking for personal documents to see when you’re not home so that they can get into your home. You could also simply take care to tear up your discarded papers.

Many homeowners understand the importance of home security. Of course, not all people are truly educated about really securing their home. Hopefully, this article has given you some useful hints about securing your home.

Your flashlights should always be equipped with good, working batteries. Flashlights are critical, and provide you with the freedom to move about as needed. Teach your children how to properly use flashlights.