Securing your home can seem overwhelming and confusing, especially if you have never dealt with home security companies before. This process doesn’t have to inconvenience you. This article has tips that will help you secure your home.

Any time you buy a new home, have the locks changed. You cannot be sure of the number of key copies that the former owner gave out. Call a locksmith to make sure you’re the only one with access to your home. This is also a good idea in the event that you misplace your keys.

Be sure your home always looks occupied. You could purchase timers which make lights and TV’s, as well as other devices, power on or off at varying intervals. This will make your home appear as if someone is there. This is an effective deterrent against burglars.

Do you allow your dog to stay in your yard while you are away? You could let your dog carry a spare key. Stash the key on the pup’s collar to keep it out of sight. If you have a pet that does not trust strangers, this can help you get into your house if needed.

Your dog can keep your spare house key for you. Outdoor dogs or pet doors make this possible. Hide a key inside the collar of your dog in case you need a spare.

When you set out to purchase home security equipment, remember to comparison shop. Wild variations in pricing can exist for similar security products. Get quotes from no less than three companies before choosing the best one.

If you need to leave a key for a maid service, make sure that that whoever cleans your house is professional and trustworthy. When giving your house cleaner the key to your home, you need to be sure that they are reputable and honest. Be sure to make sure their references check out. If applicable, call the BBB to inquire about their reputation.

Get roofing, flooring and ceilings that are fire resistant. This adds more protection to a house, especially if you’re in a dry area with some power lines. Lowering or eliminating the risk of a fire is an extremely important home security strategy because a fire can cause extreme destruction very quickly.

Shut off phone ringers inside the home if you’re going to be gone for quite a while. When burglars hear phones ringing for an extended period of time in a home, they know that there is no one there to answer.

Take advantage of any and all security resources your local police force makes available to homeowners. They may offer things such as home inspections, engraving tool loans, and other guidance about securing your house. Call and see what is available.

If your garage is attached to your home, always keep it secure. Often people are concerned that burglars can enter the home via the attached garage . Happily, there is a solution to this problem. If your garage lifts up on a track, try using a C-clamp. This will prevent your door from opening up if the clamp is close to its roller.

The walls of your home make for great hiding spots. If you have small valuables you want to protect, consider hiding them inside your walls. Just open up an electrical outlet or a phone jack that is not in use. Installing a false unused plate is very easy to do if your home doesn’t have one.

Always go with your gut when it comes to choosing a security firm. This is especially true if you are uneasy with those who are installing the actual system. Make sure that the installer has experience installing your type of security system. Ultimately, the whole point is for you to have peace of mind.

Consider hiding valuables within your walls. No need to damage your walls. Most homes are pre-equipped with these handy spaces. Perhaps you can use an old electricity socket as a place to hide your valuables.

If you live in a rural area, you may not be as concerned about home break-ins as people who live in the city. With neighbors so far away, it may seem like a tiny risk. Others feel rural residents have a lower risk of being burglarized.

If you are throwing away the box an expensive item came in, wait until trash day to put the box out. Exposing the box to view ahead of time signals a burglar that he will find this item in your home.

Use your walls as hiding spaces. You don’t have to cut out pieces of the wall to do this. There should be pre-cut spaces throughout your home that will suffice. How about unwiring your electric socket and using that as an area to stash your jewelry?

If your door is set in a rotted frame, you must replace the frame. Rotting wood is easy to remove and take apart if someone is trying to get in. Replace rotting wood with fresh wood to improve your home’s security.

Always lock your doors, even if you are just walking down the street. Most burglars gain entry to a home through an unlocked door. It does not take long for thieves to steal a lot from your home.

It is important to always have fresh batteries and flashlights handy around the house. They will help you get around in case your entire home is dark. Also show your children how to use them so they can help out in emergencies.

Replace Rotted Wood

Be sure to make good use of the Internet when you’re trying to select your home security company. Review the websites of several companies and play close attention to the types of services offered and the customer reviews. Then you can schedule an appointment for a home visit to discuss which package is best for you and what it will cost.

Replace rotted wood around entryways. Anyone hoping to enter your home can very easily do so by just prying away the rotted wood. Replace rotted wood with fresh wood to make your home safer.

Keep your home’s exterior well lit. Dark houses invite burglars who prefer to operate under cover of darkness. Install lights by each and every entryway to your home. Over doors, near windows and especially your back yard need to be lit.

It is important to always have fresh batteries and flashlights handy around the house. Having a well-charged flashlight on hand is very beneficial in case of emergency. Show your children how to use them so everyone in the family is involved.

If you will be going out of time, have someone you trust get your mail. Also, have them look for fliers stuck in your door. Thieves will drop off flyers to see if home owners are away. Fliers that are not removed let the burglar know that the home is vacant.

Keeping the home illuminated during evening hours helps keep criminals away. Thieves don’t want to be visible. Making your home’s exterior nice and bright will make it impossible for crooks to go undetected. Keep the lights on if you want your home to be secure.

Make sure your address numbers are clearly visible from across the street. If there is need for cops to come to your home, it will be hard for them to find it if the numbers are not readable or are tiny. There is a cheap and quick fix if you see an issue.

Whenever seeking out home-security companies, the Internet can be a valuable resource, so utilize it. You should look at testimonials from customers and different information you can find. Once you do this, make appointments with the three best companies you find so that you can compare pricing and other important details.

Speak with your security company about contract lengths and any options available. You will probably find there are many pros and cons associated with each different contract. Longer contracts may create a lower bill per month, but you you could maintain those monthly expenses if you discontinue service or sell the home. If you want more freedom, it is best to purchase a more expensive but shorter contract.

What do you need to personally feel safe? You might find that an alarm isn’t necessary at all. Some individuals are more comfortable with a canine alarm, while other people enjoy the feeling of security that a sophisticated alarm system can bring. Be sure to assess the risk level you face before making big decisions.

Always keep your valuables secure. Items like family photos, pricy jewelry, legal documents, financial records, and passports need to be kept in a safe location. Floor safes are excellent locations for keeping these particular items safe inside your home. A better idea could be to store these inside a box outside of your house.

From the road, are your house numbers visible? During an emergency crisis, smaller numbers prevent emergency personnel from finding your home quickly. Fortunately, the solution to this is quick, easy and rather cheap once you are aware of the need.

Ask the security company if they’re currently offering an motion sensitive lighting. This is a common offering from most companies. These lights, affixed to your home’s exterior, illuminate whenever anyone comes within range. Therefore, if a burglar approaches, you will know.

Rather than installing a professional security system in your home, you can look into other ways to keep your home safe. Whether you feel comfortable buying a gun, putting up a fence or adding extra locks to your doors, you have several options. Keep this advice in mind when attempting to make your house a more secure place.

Sliding glass doors can create a security issue in a home. They can be unlocked with a bit if jiggling. If you don’t have an alarm set up for them, use pipe cut to fit at the door channel. The pressure applied by the pipe provides added security and makes forcing a sliding door open a much less trivial matter.