As a homeowner, your know how crucial it is to keep your home secure. Nothing is worse than seeing your home destroyed or seriously damaged. You can avoid stressful situations by investing in a quality home security system. Keep your most precious investment safe.

It’s important to comparison shop for alarm systems. You’ll find a wide range of prices from different companies. Make sure to obtain quotes from a minimum of three companies prior to deciding on a final one.

When looking to purchase a good home security system, it is best that you look at many companies. You’ll find a wide range of prices from different companies. Be sure and get a minimum of three quotes from different companies prior to choosing one.

You should mute your land line phone if you are going on a vacation. If the phone rings without you there, burglars will suspect that you’re not home, and that can make your home a target for an attack while you’re gone.

Change your locks if someone you don’t trust moves out of your home. Maybe you’ve had a roommate leave or a bitter ex-lover, so changing the locks can keep you safer. This is a very easy process that you can complete within a day.

Be smart about where you decide to hide spare keys. Common places to hide a spare key are above your door frame or underneath your doormat. Therefore, thieves are more likely to check these places out first. Try hiding your key on a lawn statue or in a potted plant.

Rural Areas

Your risks of being the target of home intruders really doesn’t depend on the area in which you live. On a different note, some people believe homeowners in more rural areas are more likely to experience robberies because of the lack of nearby neighbors. Some think rural areas see less burglary.

Ask friend for any advice they have prior to purchasing a security system or service. They have likely had interactions with home security providers that they can tell you about, saving you time and stress. Do your research; it will help you make a good decision in the end.

The wiring on your house is valuable to burglars. Many people are not aware of this until they are stolen from their home. Wiring can be removed from the outside of a home in a heartbeat. To keep the wiring safe, be sure that the wire is hidden from view.

Talk to any companies you’re considering hiring to install a security system about how long the company has been around. A long-standing company has a track record in the industry that people can attest to. You can feel confident when you choose a well established, reputable home security company.

Turn the ringers off on all your phones if you will be away for a prolonged period of time. A home phone that rings and rings is a good way for a potential thief to know if anyone is home.

Never enter your home if you arrive and find the door open. A thief might still be in there, which could put you in danger. Just contact the police and sit tight until they arrive.

Invest in a good paper shredder. You would be surprised at how often thieves look through trash to find personal information to find out when you will be away from home so they can break in. If a shredder is too expensive, at least tear relevant paperwork into small bits.

Talk to your local police department about what they offer. They often offer home inspections, seminars and even the ability to purchase items. Discuss the possibility of this sort of program with your police department.

Consider installing a surveillance system. Installing hidden and visible video cameras is great for securing a home. Visible cameras deter many intruders, but if they disable the cameras that they can see, your hidden camera can record the action. Nowadays, you can track your surveillance on your own cell phone.

Make sure the inside of your garage isn’t visible. Use a frosted film to cover the windows. This can be purchased at many hardware stores. Also, do not leave doors open.

If you reside in a small town or rural area, then you might not be as worried about someone breaking into your home as city dwellers may be. Due to the distance between neighbors, some think rural areas are more likely to have intruders. Not everyone believes this, though.

One of the best home burglary systems is man’s best friend. Dogs protect your home by barking if something is wrong. A dog with a vicious attitude and large size isn’t necessary. Even small dogs can deter criminals just by making noise when something is afoot.

There’s an easy way to secure interior doors (if there are areas you want to keep housemates and children out of) without obliging you to carry a key-ring around at all times. There are locks that use a code for entry, rather than a key. You can install these locks yourself or have them professionally installed.

Are you aware of the value present in the wiring in your home? Many folks are not aware of this until a thief steals it. Copper wiring can easily be removed. Be sure to keep your wiring hidden or difficult to reach.

Find out about the various lengths of contracts your chosen home security company has on offer. These lengths can be both good and bad. A contract that is longer might offer lower monthly payments, but you may have to continue with these if you decide to sell the house or discontinue services. Shorter contracts have more freedom, but the monthly costs could be higher.

If you are away, pull your shades closed. Leaving the curtains up invites people to peer into your living room. If they spot something desirable, they will seek access. Always close your curtains and blinds while sleeping.

Make sure your flashlights have charged batteries and are found throughout your home. Having these in an easy to find place will allow you to see in the dark much quicker. Also show your children how to use them so they can help out in emergencies.

Your security company might give you the option to lease and eventually buy your security equipment. Buying equipment may be initially more expensive, but cheaper in the longer term. The cost of leasing is lower at first but adds up over time. Check out both options to discover the best one for you. The option that’s best for one person may not be best for another.

Don’t use your birthday as the passcode for a keypad lock. Your date of birth can be obtained through Facebook or your mail. Instead, make it a number which you can figure out through a math equation so you remember the equation instead of the number.

Use the Internet to find a reliable home security company. Read through official websites for different companies and look for reviews written by customers. Also find other companies to get quotes from as well.

Install a hard-wired system if you want to minimize maintenance costs. Wireless systems, while convenient, will require much more maintenance. Forgetting to change out the batteries leaves you insecure. Also, frequent battery replacements can be costly.

Always close your curtains, especially if a passerby can easily look in your windows. Don’t tempt others to look in your windows. If possible burglars see your valuables, they may see your home as the next target. Keep your possessions out of the public eye to minimize your chances of becoming a burglary victim.

Keep safety at the forefront as you landscape. There should be no plants or greenery in front of doors or windows. These types of places provide the perfect cover for prowlers. Have your landscape several feet away from your house for better safety.

Purchase motion sensor lighting for the next generation in home security. Lots of companies will provide this feature. Motion sensitive lighting causes your home’s outside lights to turn on whenever anyone gets too close. This can offer you additional safety as you are entering your home, and it can also deter an intruder.

You don’t have to undergo a difficult process to secure your home. You simply need to educate yourself on home security. Use the tips you just read to improve your home security. Be sure to follow all of the advice presented here for optimum security.

If you get home and your door is open, do not enter ti investigate. The thief may remain inside. Instead, call 911 and report a possible break-in.