If you own valuable items, such as jewelry, art or money, don’t assume that you’re the only one that knows about it. You should protect your home and your family by investing in a quality home security system. Read these tips for ideas on how to make your house a safe place.

Your dog could carry a spare key for you. This really only works if you’ve got an outdoor dog or if you’ve got a pet door. You can purchase a special collar that will hold your spare key, so when you forget your keys your dog can let you in.

Get a good safe to store your valuables in your home. This ensures during a break in that the most important things are not stolen. Keep the safe hidden somewhere remote.

Home security systems do more than sounding an alarm in case of a break in. They can actually be set to chime whenever a monitored door is opened. This is important if you have small kids.

Get rid of all of the dead wood and vegetation in your yard during the summer months. These could catch on fire during the summer, especially if you live in a dry area. Keeping your plants and bushes trimmed will benefit your family’s safety as well as the appearance of your home.

Do not tell anyone that you are going on vacation out of your friend circle. This can indicate that your home will be free and vulnerable during the time.

Be bold. Talk to your neighbors. Keep an eye on their houses and yards and request that they return the favor. You shouldn’t neglect gossip. You can learn of important security information, including if strangers have been lurking.

Don’t allow anyone you don’t know to look into your house. Do not give in, even if a person uses a convincing story, asks for help or says they are selling something. Even home security representatives could be intruders who want to check the kind of protection you have.

Keep your most valuable possessions inside your walls. It is unnecessary cut space into your wall. Instead, you can use the small spaces that are already there. What about un-wiring an electrical socket which isn’t used to utilize as a cover to hide your jewelry?

Never open up your door to a stranger. Burglars have many clever ways to convince householders to open the door. Create a rule where you only allow those you’ve invited to your home inside.

Don’t put your spare key in an obvious place near your front door. These seem like great places for you when you misplace your key. For obvious reasons, experienced burglars know every possible hiding spot. Instead, give your extra key to a neighbor whom you trust.

Remove old plants and debris from your yard. As the summer heat rolls in, there is a higher chance that these can catch on fire, putting your home at risk. Keep your family and your house protected by regularly clearing out your yard waste.

Always lock your doors, even if you are just walking down the street. Most break-ins and burglaries occur because a door is left open and an intruder just walks in. Thieves can make off with large amounts of valuable merchandise very quickly.

Don’t forget about the skylights when securing your home. Skylights are excellent for beauty and light, but it’s easy for burglars to gain access to your home through them. Make sure your skylights have reliable, heavy duty hardware in place.

When you pick an alarm system, it’s a good idea to get one that provides protection for both doors and windows. Windows offer easy access to a potential thief. Therefore, ensure the windows have an attached alarm. All potential entry points should have an alarm. This will make your family safer.

You can hide things in your walls. Hide valuables inside of your walls. Target any unused phone jacks or electrical outlets for an easy hiding spot. Even if every single plate in your home is being used, you can purchase a fake one purpose-built for concealing valuables.

Always ask for references before letting a contractor or a maid in your home. Check if they have any history of criminal activity. You can never be too sure about anyone you hire to enter your home, and giving them access can work against you.

Be sure your valuables are not visible from the outside of your house. Although large windows in your home can provide your home with a lot of light, they can also provide burglars with an excellent view of the inside of your home. If your house has street-facing windows, make sure they are always covered and your make sure your valuables are hidden away.

Take advantage of the Internet while comparing your home security options. Look at many websites and read customer reviews about the various services. Then, you can set appointments to make price and service comparisons before you choose.

Carefully check the references of everyone before allowing them to enter your home. Conduct background checks if necessary. Avoid giving keys out to contractors, maids and repairmen.

For maximum safety, your home needs bright exterior lighting. Burglars love to operate in the dark. Install lights in areas that possible criminals can use to enter your home. This includes doorways and porches, the garage, and windows on ground floors which may invite intruders.

Having a well-lit home that’s bight in the evening can really deter crooks. Most burglars rely on concealment to approach a home. By minimizing dark and shady areas, you are taking away a potential burglar’s hiding spots. Secure your property by creating a well-lit area.

Think about what you need to feel safe before considering security systems. Some systems might not be adaptable to your situation. Depending on your neighborhood and your household, you might well be better served by a reliable guard dog or self-defense training than by high-tech gadgetry. Think about your risk factor when making a decision.

Use the Internet to find a reliable home security company. Review different websites and review comments from previous customers. After reading about these services, you can narrow down the results and use appointments for price comparisons.

If you get home and see the door is slightly open, don’t go inside by yourself to investigate. This is dangerous since the thief may still be on your property. Request that the police come and have them go in and check it out, before you go in yourself.

Have home-security companies come to your home so they can design the best possible system for it. Each customer wants certain things as far as home security goes. Doing this helps you get the best security you can get from the company, helping you to relax.

You should think about getting a home security system that is wireless. While systems with wires are cheaper, you have to rewire your home and worry about power outages. The wireless systems are simpler to maintain and install and they don’t need power from the home to run.

The outside of your house should be well lit. Criminals love darkness to help mask their crimes. So it’s smart to put a light in typically darker corners around your home. This includes doorways, windows, and your garage.

Discourage burglars by making your garage windows opaque. Frosted windows prevent thieves from looking into your home and are inexpensive. Make a habit of keep your door closed and locked.

Think about your specific needs and risks prior to investigating security systems. Security systems are a proven method of reducing your chance of break-ins, but it is not always the right choice. In some situations, having a good dog and/or learning some self defense may be all that you really need to feel safe. Understanding your neighborhood, risks and budget constraints can help you to make the best choices.

Don’t leave the boxes of any high priced electronics on the curb of your house. A burglar sees this as an invitation to procure the item themselves. Break down the box, and take it to the local recycling center.

Always request that your house or pet sitter remove fliers from your door. Burglars sometimes place fliers as a means to see if anyone is home to remove them. If the flier is not removed, they will know you are not home.

If you want to keep certain rooms in your home private, you don’t need to lock every door with a key. Install key-less locks instead. These locks use codes instead of keys. These can be installed either by you, or a home security company.

If you purchase a new TV or computer, don’t leave empty boxes from your purchases on the curb. Burglars can see these and they know that you have them in your home, increasing your chances of a break-in. Break down the empty boxes whenever possible.

Ask about the various contract lengths offered by a home security company. There are going to be ups and downs for each one. Longer contracts may offer more affordable monthly payments; however, it may be hard to cancel that contract should you decide to change services or sell your house. A shorter contract gives you more freedom, but it may cost you more per month.

A great protection against burglars is owning a dog. Dogs are very protective of their turf and usually make noises when something is amiss. A common misconception, though, is that you have to have a large animal to be safe. Small dogs even scare off intruders as they don’t like anything to make noise when breaking into a home.

You need to know your options with companies concerning either leasing or purchasing equipment. Buying it may cost more, but this means there are no monthly charges. On the other hand, while leasing is more expensive overall, it can get you a better system if you don’t have funds available immediately. Find out which will work best for your needs.

Avoid keeping auto registration in your glove compartment. This isn’t smart since anybody who gets them is going to know your address. You should carry them with you or find some other hiding place inside your vehicle. They have to be accessible in the event you are in an accident or receive a speeding ticket.

You shouldn’t keep your car registration documents inside the glove box. If someone breaks into your car, that person can view your registration and instantly know where you reside. Ideally, you should carry your registration in your wallet or bag. If you must leave them in the car, pick a less obvious hiding place. You must have this information on hand if you are stopped for a traffic violation.

Put some extra thought into concealing your spare keys. Everybody knows about fake rocks. Many people also know to check under the welcome mat. Talk to a neighbor or someone that you know to hold your key. This will reduce the chances of a burglary.

Having your home broken into is a reality and possibility that you cannot ignore. While you needn’t spend every moment fearing for your safety, it is nonetheless important to take the necessary measures. Keep the advice you’ve read about home security in mind to better protect you and your family.

Install a hard-wired system if you want to minimize maintenance costs. Wireless systems are convenient, but they require multiple sets of batteries that have to be changed out on a regular basis. Neglecting this maintenance can cause faults in your security system and leave you improperly protected. Replacing several batteries will quickly add up.