You have to be as knowledgeable about home security as you can if you want to make the best choices for your family. It is not a decision to take lightly. Figure out what you can afford and what is most important.

Your dog could carry a spare key for you. This is a great idea if your dog is outside all the time, or they can get out through a doggy door. Just hide a spare house key on the inside of your dog’s collar. Then when you need an extra key, you will be able to access this one.

Don’t ever let it be apparent that there is no one at home. Buy timers that will make your TVs, radios and other electronics turn on and turn off at various times. This will make it look like someone is home. This is just one of the many precautions you can take to secure your home.

If you will be away from your house for an extended period of time, turn the ringers off for all your phones. Intruders might be attracted by a phone that rings constantly without anyone picking up.

Is your dog kept outside when you are away? They may provide you with a useful place to hide your key. You can attach your key to your dog’s collar in order to keep the key hidden. This works very well if you have a pet that is not very fond of strangers. You will get the access you need without having to worry about your safety.

Use your garage for your car, not just storage. Keeping the car inside is a good way to keep criminals from stealing or harming it. Keeping your car in your garage also keeps a thief from knowing whether you are at home or not.

Spare Key

Put motion-sensor lights into your home. These lights will come on if someone walks near your house. Then you will know someone is present, and if the person is a burglar, he or she will be very likely to turn around and leave. Get in the habit of checking and replacing the bulbs as necessary to ensure the lights remain effective.

If you keep a spare key outside to prevent yourself from being locked-out, think carefully about where you hide it. Never put a spare key under a doormat or above a door jam. Try hiding your key on a lawn statue or in a potted plant.

Do you have skylights? If so, you should keep them in mind when protecting your home. Skylights are nice to bring extra light into your house, but they are also easy ways for burglars to enter your home. Be sure that the skylights for your home are durable and reliable.

Don’t post information about an upcoming vacation anywhere on the web. This can indicate that your home will be free and vulnerable during the time.

Don’t leave the packaging from any electronics or expensive purchases sitting on the curb until trash day. Having these boxes around will let thieves know the type of items that are inside your home.

Do not open your door for anyone you don’t know. There are many different tactics that crooks use to enter homes, and a common way is simply to walk up to the door and ask for help. You should make sure you only open the door to your home for people that you know and are expecting.

Before you let any strangers enter your home, be sure you look over their references. Try doing a background check to look at their criminal history. You can never be too sure about anyone you hire to enter your home, and giving them access can work against you.

Check with your local law enforcement agency about home protection plans. Your local police department will help you with preventive measures, inspect your home and show you how to mark your valuables so they can easily be found. Discuss the possibility of this sort of program with your police department.

If you hire a security company, read any fine print. There may be some hidden fees, or a need to buy more equipment later. It is best to know all you can about a service you sign up for.

If you own a garage, be sure to use it to place your car, as opposed to using it as a storage. Keeping your car inside will deter thieves from stealing or vandalizing it. Hiding it will help to deter people from tracking the times you aren’t there.

Take advantage of the Internet while comparing your home security options. Review different websites and review comments from previous customers. You can then make three solid selections and make appointments with them.

Meet with representatives from the security company you are considering to determine if they are trustworthy. If the installers make you feel uncomfortable, heed your feelings. Ask for someone else to come out or switch companies. The purpose of using the company is to calm your uneasiness, not worsen it.

You want the security company to actually come to your house and install the system according to your needs. You need some features which other families may wish to do without. If you are able to secure a company willing to tailor a system to your needs, there is a good chance that you will be satisfied.

You could hide some valuables within your walls. You needn’t tear down your walls to do this. Many spots are already cut that can be used for this purpose. An unused outlet can be taken apart, and the space used to create a tiny hidden safe.

If you get home and the door is open, don’t go in. This is dangerous since the thief may still be on your property. Just contact the police and sit tight until they arrive.

Lock your home at all times to err on the side of caution. Most burglars gain entry to a home through an unlocked door. Once a thief is inside, he can steal a lot of valuables in a short amount of time.

Invest in a high quality paper shredder. Thieves are likely to steal documents that include your personal information if they can find them. Rip paper into tiny pieces if you can’t afford to purchase a paper shredder.

If you are seeking home safety ideas that are simple and inexpensive, you should buy outdoor lights with motion sensors. At night, not only will these lights be handy to light up areas around your home,they are also a cost-effective and efficient security addition. If positioned correctly on the exterior of your home, the motion detectors make it virtually impossible for an intruder to sneak onto your property.

If you’re planning to be out of your home for a period of time, have a neighbor remove any fliers placed on your door. Sometimes burglars leave fliers in an attempt to see if anyone is home to remove them. If the flier stays in place, the burglar knows that the homeowner is out on vacation.

Be certain to read the entire contract when you hire a home security firm. There may be hidden costs involved that you were not aware of. You’ll want to avoid any surprises so be sure and read your contract carefully.

If you’ve got guests that you don’t want in particular areas of the home, close the area off so it is not accessible. Use a code-access lock for any door you don’t want others opening. You can install these locks yourself or have them professionally installed.

Whenever you are landscaping your home, you should consider safety. Shrubs, trees, fences, etc. should not obstruct the view of your doors and windows. This way, no one can hide there if they are attempting to break into your house. This will give your home additional safety.

Discuss various contracts offered by any home security provider you are exploring. They all likely have different benefits and downsides. Longer agreements may cost less per month, but you may not be able to get out of the contract if you need to. Shorter contracts allow your greater freedom, however they usually cost more each month.

Get some professional assistance by asking a home security company to come to your house and work up a plan for a customized security system. Every house and every family will produce a unique set of security concerns that are best addressed with tailor-made security arrangements. When you don’t want to compromise in any way on the safety and security of your home, a custom-built system is usually the way to go.

Do not store your car registration documents in your glove compartment. This is not wise since anyone who has access to them will know where you live. Hide them somewhere else in the car, or carry them with you. Remember, you do need to be able to access them quickly if you get pulled over by a policeman.

Now that you have read this, you should know much more about the subject. Home security is an important subject. The safety of your family is the most important things. Remember these tips as you proceed with your plans.

Never hide keys in obvious locations. It’s easy to see fake rocks. Someone is going to look under your doormat. It is best to simply ask a neighbor or trusted friend to hold on to an extra key for you. If that isn’t an option, be creative with a hiding spot.