This article will help you determine how you can secure your home. It’s not that simple to make a big and costly decision. In order for you to make a good decision, your need to know a lot about the subject.

Solicit word of mouth recommendations from friends, colleagues and family members to find a great home security company or system. Others may have had bad and good experiences that they share with you so that you may be able to save time and stress. Therefore, ask everyone you can in order to obtain the most advice. With thorough advice, the best decision can be made.

Be sure your home always looks occupied. There are timers you can use to make electronics turn on and off at random times. Potential intruders will stay away from your home if they believe someone is inside. This helps you keep your house burglar-free.

Don’t let strangers into your home. Burglars are getting creative, and they will do anything they can to gain access to your home. Make sure everyone in your house knows not to open the door unless they know the person standing outside.

If your garage is attached to your home, always keep it secure. It is possible for an intruder to get in the garage and then gain access to the house; however, you can do something about it. You can use a C-clamp to secure the door and prevent it from being opened by strangers.

Is your dog outside even if you are away? They may provide you with a useful place to hide your key. Put it on your dog’s collar, making sure it is hidden. This is an especially good idea if your dog doesn’t like strangers, and gives you easy access to get in your home.

In summer, take care to trim back branches and plants near the house. They are a potential fire hazard during warmer months. Clear up your yard so it looks good and is safe.

If you reside in the country, you may be less worried about break-ins than urban dwellers are. Some think residents of the country are even more vulnerable because there are no close neighbors. Others feel rural residents have a lower risk of being burglarized.

If you have a lot of unfamiliar people on you social networking accounts, avoid letting everyone know you will be going on vacation. There may be a thief within this list and you would have been inviting him straight through your front door!

If your home has skylights, don’t neglect to secure them. They look great and provide light, but also are another access point. Your skylights should have strong components that can withstand tampering.

Keep valuables out of sight of windows. Large windows at the home’s front can be beautiful, but it can make it easier for criminals to see inside. Make sure you keep your blinds closed or arrange your possessions in such a way that they can’t be seen from outside.

Turn the ringers off on all your phones if you will be away for a prolonged period of time. This is because a phone that is ringing and ringing can tip of a burglar that nobody is currently home.

If you purchase big-ticket items, don’t throw their boxes in the trash before trash day. If you set these boxes out with the trash, thieves will know you have expensive items in your house.

Did you know that the wires on your home are valuable? Many folks are not aware of this until a thief steals it. A skilled intruder could remove all the copper from your home within less than an hour. Be sure to hide your wires or make sure they are hard to get to.

Make your home safer by storing your car inside the garage. Keeping your car in your house will deter intruders from vandalizing or stealing it. It will also keep any intruders from knowing when you’re home.

It is important to always have fresh batteries and flashlights handy around the house. They give you and your family the opportunity to move around should the electricity go out. Be sure everyone in your family is aware of the location of emergency flashlights.

Always ask for references before letting a contractor or a maid in your home. It wouldn’t hurt to also perform a background check. You might not know that the maid or contractor entering your home is a crook, and this could be a very bad mistake.

Always change the locks if you have someone move out of your home. Perhaps you aren’t sure who owned the home before you or maybe an old roommate has a key and never returned it. Regardless, changing the locks will ensure your security. Most locksmiths can accomplish the job within 24 hours.

Determine how much experience a home security company has before you decide to do business with them. It doesn’t take long for a quality company to prove itself in the security business, and you should look for a track record of satisfied customers and successful work. Whenever you know you aren’t doing business with a fly-by-night company, you will be more assured your home is protected.

Consider your personal needs for safety and your security risks prior to looking for security systems. Although automated electronic systems are powerful, they’re not necessarily the cost-effective solution for every home. In some situations, having a good dog and/or learning some self defense may be all that you really need to feel safe. Be sure to assess the risk level you face before making big decisions.

Walls are a good place to hide things. If you own smaller things that need protection, think about keeping them hidden in the walls. Place them in switch plates, phone jacks or an electric outlet. You can easily install fake unused plates.

If you get home and the door is open, don’t go in. A thief might still be in there, which could put you in danger. Your best bet is to contact the authorities and wait outside for them to get there.

Make sure that whoever is getting your mail while you are on vacation also retrieves any fliers left on the door. Thieves have put them up in order to see if people are home to take them down. If the flier is not taken down, the burglar assumes the homeowner is not in town.

Ensure that valuables are stored in a hidden area that isn’t visible from outside your home. You might enjoy large windows so you can see out, but just remember that makes it easier for those burglars to see inside your home as well. Keep your windows covered and your belongings private.

Dogs are an excellent way to protect your home. They are protective of their home and owner and will alert you if someone is on your property. Keeping a huge and ferocious canine is not necessary. As long as he is noisy when strangers approach, he’s a great addition to the security of your home.

Are you worried about the costs of ongoing maintenance? Then, consider using a security system that is hard-wired. While wireless systems are great, they do require batteries on a consistent basis. If you neglect battery changes, your system won’t work. Replacing several batteries will quickly add up.

Regardless of how long you think you’ll be gone, make sure to lock your doors. Most break-ins and burglaries occur because a door is left open and an intruder just walks in. A thief can take plenty of valuables in minutes.

If you have understood this information, then you’re ready. You need to understand how important this is, because it will keep your family safe. Be sure and implement the tips you’ve just read.