You’re in the right place if you’re looking to learn something about the topic of home security. You don’t have to make home security decisions blindly. Understanding what is available to you is key. Read on and learn about the home security options available to you.

If you want to have a spare key close to your house in order to prevent lockouts, make sure you give its hiding place some careful thought. Above a door frame or under a mat are not smart ideas. Think outside the box and put the key someplace unusual, like hidden in your dog’s collar.

Protect your spare key by using your dog. This approach is useful if your dog is a large breed that lives outdoor, or if your house has a doggy door. Attach the spare key to your dog’s collar. By doing this, you have a handy spare key whenever you need it.

Purchase ceiling, flooring and roofing that is fire resistant. This will add an extra protection layer for your house, particularly if you live near power lines or in a dry location. You can enhance home safety with excellent fire precautions.

Buy roofing, flooring and interior paneling that is flame resistant. This will make your home more safe, especially if you are in a dry climate that has many power lines. It’s best to prevent a fire before it starts.

Talk to people you know about their security systems. Other people will probably have personal experience with these companies that are either good or bad. They can share their experiences with you, which will greatly assist you in making the best decision. Make broad inquiries so that you are able to make a well-informed decision.

If there are folks you don’t know or trust in your social network online, don’t let them know you are going away. You may be very excited about your impending vacation, but there is no need to let potential burglars know when you will be gone.

Turn off your phone’s ringer when you go on vacation. If your phone rings and is not being answered, criminals will realize that you’re away.

Do not allow anyone you do not know into your home. Do not give in, even if a person uses a convincing story, asks for help or says they are selling something. Some folks will enter to scout for security systems, and upon seeing you lack one, will resolve to return at a later time.

Don’t allow a complete stranger to come in your home. Burglars are getting creative, and they will do anything they can to gain access to your home. Enforce a rule within your house that no one opens the door to unexpected people.

If you do not know the person at your door, don’t open it. Folks are always thinking up new schemes to get people to open the door so that they can commit their crimes. Make it mandatory that doors in your home are only opened for expected visitors.

Request information from your local law enforcement agencies about home protection packages. These programs may include engraving identification codes on your valuables, home inspections, and advice about home security. Call and see what is available.

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. Keeping your car out of sight is also a good way to prevent intruders from determining whether or not you are home.

Install motion-sensor lights. This type of light will come on when they detect motion within a certain distance of your home. This will discourage would be thieves and alert you to any movement on your property. Just remember to change out the bulbs every so often so the lights remain in working order.

Use exterior lights that have motion sensors. When a person walks by your home too closely, these lights will go on. They help notify you of any movement around your house and deter burglars too. Get in the habit of checking and replacing the bulbs as necessary to ensure the lights remain effective.

An extremely important tactic for keeping your home safe is changing out the locks. Maybe you had a roommate move out or have a disgruntled ex-lover, changing the locks is the best way to keep yourself safe. This doesn’t usually cost much, and it can be accomplished in less than a day.

Don’t forget about the skylights when securing your home. As nice as they look, they’re a prime target for thieves. Be sure that the skylights for your home are durable and reliable.

Skylights should be secure. Skylights are a wonderful addition to any home, but they also tend to be weak spots that intruders take advantage of. Check that skylights have heavy duty hardware that can stand up under unwanted tampering.

Do that put spare keys above door frames or under door mats. While you may feel that you are keeping yourself safe by allowing a way in for yourself, you are also allowing everyone else to visit whenever they want. Thieves know about all these hiding spots. The wisest course of action is to leave a spare key with a trusted friend or a reliable neighbor.

You should not hide your spare key under your mat or inside a plant box. These seem like great places for you when you misplace your key. Thieves are aware of these hiding spots. Instead, trust a neighbor to hold your spare key.

If you have a home security system installed, make sure the wires are hidden. Intruders can disable a system if they see the wires. Do not make entry into your home easy. Make sure the wires are not exposed either inside or outside your home. This will help to deter intruders that are looking to quickly disable your alarm system.

Keep flashlights in your rooms. These items will help you remain safe when there is no electricity. Also show your children how to use them so they can help out in emergencies.

If you bought any big or expensive things, wait until trash day to throw away the boxes. These types of items are appealing to thieves, and you may as well put a sign in your yard inviting them to steal yours.

If someone from the security company comes to your home, ask to see their ID before allowing them in. Burglars are creative, and they often pose as a member of the security team to get inside. This can put your family and possessions in danger. Proceed with caution.

Replace any wood surrounding your door frame that is rotting. Anyone hoping to enter your home can very easily do so by just prying away the rotted wood. Replace it as soon as possible.

Motion sensing lights are a good way to increase home security. In the evening hours, this lighting can provide extra security and an economical way to light your front entrance way when you arrive. If positioned correctly on the exterior of your home, the motion detectors make it virtually impossible for an intruder to sneak onto your property.

Having your house lit up during the night is a good way to scare intruders. These crooks do not wish to be noticed or seen. A well-lit home will make it hard for intruders to hide and take your valuables without being detected. Thus, you should always keep lights on at nighttime.

Ask the home security company about how long they’ve been running prior to signing up. Companies who have been around for years will show that they have what it takes to succeed. In addition, it proves that they provide people with reliable services they can depend on. It will make you feel better knowing that the company you choose is not fly by night.

Use the Internet to find a reliable home security company. Go through different websites and investigate testimonials about different companies and packages. From there, you can make appointments with your top three selections to compare final package pricing and specific details about plans and monitoring.

Shred any documents and junk mail that contains identifying information. A thief looking through your discarded papers can find a lot of information you do not want them to have. They may even learn your schedule, so they can burgle your home while you are away. If paper shredders don’t fit into your budget, you can manually rip up important documents yourself.

Now that you’ve read this article, make use of this information so that you can be on the right track towards protecting your home. Now that you know what you’re doing, you can choose a good system. Use the information above to keep your family safe.

Get your neighbors to not only pick up your mail, but also any flyers left at your door. Robbers will place these on your door and may invade your home if they are not removed. Fliers that are left behind signal to the burglar that there is no one at home.