While we hear about the need to protect our homes from attack or intrusion, few people actually know what precautions are most effective. It is important to research home security in order to keep your home protected. Keep reading for some great tips.

Get a good safe to store your valuables in your home. This will keep your stash of diamonds, gold and other valuable items out of view and inaccessible to burglars. Keep the safe hidden in a hard-to-find location like an attic or a basement closet.

Be sure your home appears to always be occupied. Buy timers so things will go on and off at different times. In this way, it will always seem that someone is in your home. That means burglars will pass right by.

Talk to people you know for referrals when choosing home security systems. They have likely had interactions with home security providers that they can tell you about, saving you time and stress. Ask around so that you can have the advice that you need to make a good choice.

Turn the ringers off on all your phones if you will be away for a prolonged period of time. A phone which rings forever is a sign to burglars that you’re not there.

Protect your spare key by using your dog. This can be done if your dog can come outside. You can attach a copy of your key to the dog’s collar, so when you need that spare, you’ve got one handy!

It is always best to not let people in that just show up out of the blue. Stay true to your safety, even if it appears the person has legitimate reasons for wanting entry. There are some people who will just come in to see if you have a home security system, and if you do not, they could come back later when you are not home.

If you do not know the person at your door, don’t open it. Criminals can be endlessly inventive when it comes to generating a convincing story to force their way into your home. No matter how sympathetic the story, remember that it could all be a put-on. Make a house rule forbidding anyone to open the door for an unexpected visitor.

Change all of your locks when you move in. You simply do not know how many keys to the old locks are floating around. Changing the locks will give you peace of mind that you and your family are the only ones who have access to your home. Do the same thing if you happen to misplace a key.

Garage Door

You need to be sure the attached garage of yours is secure. Intruders can enter your home through an unlocked garage door. Get a C-clamp to secure your garage door if it is mounted on a track.

If someone comes to clean your home, only give them a key if they’re trustworthy. If they will be there over an hour and you are thinking of giving them your home key, be certain they are honest, reputable and hard-working. All references should be checked. If you’re hiring from a company, call the BBB for more information.

Eliminate dead vegetation and rotting wood from the yard each summer. As things heat up in the summer, items may catch on fire and threaten your home. Clear your yard often if you want to prevent a fire from starting.

Use your garage for your car and not for storage. A car kept locked in a garage is much less likely to be stolen or damaged. Besides, intruders will have a hard time determining whether or not you are home if you keep your car inside your garage.

Good home security systems sound a loud alarm when breached, and that’s not all. You can have your system alert you of any movement in certain areas of your home. This could be valuable for parents who have small children, making them aware when their kid has closed or opened a door.

Motion-sensor lights can alert you of a robbery before it even happens. When a person walks by your home too closely, these lights will go on. Not only will you know that someone is out there, it will also deter burglars because they want to be inconspicuous. Remember that the bulbs need to be changed so that the lights keep working.

Do you live out in the country? If so, you might not be as worried about burglars breaking in as those people in the city are. Some people feel that rural residents lead riskier lives because they are far away from neighbors. Other people believe rural areas are less likely to be targeted by burglars.

Compare various home security systems when shopping. Prices vary significantly, even for similar levels of protection. Get quotes from several companies so that you can get the best price for your home security system.

You should always lock up your house, even if you’re only planning to be gone for a short time. Many home thefts start with the thief simply walking in an unlocked door or window. A thief can steal your most valuable possessions in a short amount of time.

Most people are aware of the important role that home security has in our daily lives. They don’t understand how to protect their homes, though. Armed with the information presented here, you have the resources you need to secure your home 24/7.

Never allow any strangers into your home. No matter what the excuse the person presents, keep them from entering your home. These people might want to actually do you harm or could be casing out your house for a future break-in.