How do you feel about home security? Do you think that most major security companies are too costly? Do you wish more cheap options existed? Now you are going to see them right in front of you. In this article, we will review some of these options.

Be sure your home always looks occupied. You can purchase inexpensive timers that will control different electronics and lights in your home. This makes it look as though people are home no matter what. That means burglars will pass right by.

Always make your house appear to be occupied. Purchase timers for electronics, lights, radios and TVs so that they will turn on and off at varied intervals. It’ll make it seem like someone is home. This is great for keeping a home safer from burglaries.

Does your dog remain outside while you’re gone? If so, the dog can be a terrific spot to keep a spare key. Put the key on the dog’s collar. If you have a pet that does not trust strangers, this can help you get into your house if needed.

Social networking sites are great for keeping in touch, but post information sparingly. For example, you might avoid broadcasting when you are going out of town, especially if your friends list contains casual acquaintances. Although it’s fun to talk about, posting it online makes it more possible for criminals to find out when you’re gone.

Why not give your trusted dog the job of holding onto your spare key? This will only be ideal if you have a dog door or an outdoor dog. You could simply put a key onto your dog’s collar, so it is always handy.

Do not allow anyone you do not know into your home. While their story may seem legit, that doesn’t mean it is true. Some criminals will use any reason to gain access to look for security systems and easy entryways into your house.

You should never open your door to someone you do not 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. Establish a rule where you and your family only open the door for expected visitors.

Do not forget to secure the garage attached to your home. Some people are concerned about burglars entering through an attached garage. Using a C-clamp on the garage door will prevent it from opening by staying on the door’s track.

Have lights that sense motion. Lights like these will automatically turn on whenever someone is near them. This is a good way of knowing who comes near your home and keeps you safe if you ever come home late. Be sure to keep these lights working, though.

Use the spaces in your home’s walls to store valuables. This does not mean that you should make alterations to your walls. Your home should have a few pre-cut areas that can be used. For instance, consider using an electricity socket that is unused, and stash your precious jewelry in there.

Get in the habit of checking your security system regularly. Get a professional in to check it out. A number of factors can cause problems with your security system, including wild animals and mother nature. If the problem isn’t visible, you may be unaware of it.

Even if you’re not going to be gone long, keep your home locked. Break-ins are often the result of unlocked windows and doors. It does not take long for thieves to steal your expensive stuff.

When a security company wants in your home ask for an ID and see if they’re in uniform. Posing as a security professional is an excellent way for an experienced thief to get inside your house and plan a less-friendly return visit. This can be risky for you and your belongings. You want to use caution to prevent danger.

An extremely important tactic for keeping your home safe is changing out the locks. Perhaps your roommate left town or you have gone through a messy divorce, and you need to feel that the home is safe. It is pretty cheap and the job won’t take more than a few hours.

Be sure your home is well lit on the outside. Burglars prefer the cover that night provides their criminal activities. Make sure to have lights anywhere an intruder might enter. This includes doorways and porches, the garage, and windows on ground floors which may invite intruders.

Anytime you come home and notice that the door is open whenever you are quite certain you closed it, don’t enter on your own to investigate. This is dangerous since the thief may still be on your property. Call the authorities and let them take care of the situation.

Always lock your home when you leave it, no matter how soon you plan to return. Most real-world burglars aren’t master lock-breakers; they simply stroll in through a door left carelessly unlocked. A thief can steal lots of stuff in a little amount of time.

It might be time to get yourself a paper shredder if you haven’t already gotten one. Thieves often find the trash cans to be a gold mine of pertinent information about potential victims. You can also simply tear papers with personal information into small bits before you discard them.

Keep your garage shut and locked so burglars can’t peek inside. Cover windows using frosting, which you can buy at large hardware stores, to keep people from peeking in your window. Don’t leave the door unlocked for a long time, either.

Get flashlights with good batteries, and have them in each room in case you lose power. They give you and your family the opportunity to move around should the electricity go out. Train your kids how to use flashlights so that all members of the family can contribute.

Can you read your house numbers clearly from the street? In the event of an emergency, police officers may have trouble finding your house if they cannot read your address numbers. Fortunately, this is something that can be corrected quickly and cheaply.

Inquire into both purchase and lease options for your security system. Although purchasing the equipment will likely cost you more money initially, this cost will only occur one time. It won’t be a cost you have to pay for every month. 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. Think about both options before making a decision.

Before you let security company representatives into your home, check their ID. Thieves can pass themselves as workers, which can end up in a robbery of your home. This proves rather dangerous for both your family and also your valuables. Use caution to stay out of danger.

It can be worthwhile to invest in a security system that is hard-wired into your home. While wireless systems are great, they do require batteries on a consistent basis. The system will cease to work properly if the batteries are not fresh. Additionally, it can cost a pretty penny to buy batteries again and again.

You cannot have a home security system unless it is affordable to you. Use the inexpensive methods of securing your home if you cannot afford the more expensive ones. Apply all the tips you read in this article to keep your family safe. An inexpensive solution is still better than no protection at all.

A great way to achieve extra security is to install exterior lighting equipped with motion detectors. In the dark hours, these lights will provide the illumination necessary to protect your home and also save money by staying off when they’re not needed. Intruders will not be able to sneak into your home if you place your motion detector in the right spot.