Do you want to get a top notch security system? Often people make this important purchase without thinking about whether or not it is necessary. It may be that securing your doors properly is all you truly need to be doing.

Always make your house appear to be occupied. Buy timers that will make your TVs, radios and other electronics turn on and turn off at various times. This gives off the appearance that someone is home. This is an effective deterrent against burglars.

Be sure that your home is always occupied. There are timers you can use to make electronics turn on and off at random times. This will give your home the appearance of someone being there. This will keep people from breaking in.

Shut off phone ringers inside the home if you’re going to be gone for quite a while. If your phone rings and is not being answered, criminals will realize that you’re away.

You should always park your car inside your garage instead of using your garage to store some belongings. Having the car in the garage will prevent it from getting broken into or stolen. Storing your car in the garage will also make it difficult for anyone casing your home to figure out when no one is going to be there.

Do you keep your dog outdoors when you go out? You might consider leaving your spare key with your dog. Put it on your dog’s collar, making sure it is hidden. If you have a pet that does not trust strangers, this can help you get into your house if needed.

Those living in rural areas often don’t worry as much about intruders compared to city dwellers. Some think residents of the country are even more vulnerable because there are no close neighbors. Still, many believe that rural environments are less frequently targeted by burglars.

Consider hiding valuables within your walls. You don’t need to cut out segments of your walls by the way. Instead, you can use the small spaces that are already there. For example, you could take the wiring out of an electric socket that is not in use and put your valuable jewelry in there.

Home security systems offer additional features besides loud alarms during a break-in. Many can be set for sounding their alarm if anyone enters. This is useful for parents who have small kids, as it helps keep them from leaving the house.

It is not a good idea to hide a spare key on your property. Instead of letting you into your home in the event you are locked out, you are providing criminals with easy access to your home. For obvious reasons, experienced burglars know every possible hiding spot. Give it to a neighbor you trust instead.

Make sure that none of your valuables can be seen from the outside. It may be great to have large windows with a view, but this means that people can look in. You always want to make sure you keep your valuables covered if they are by a window.

Consult with your police department to find out about good programs for home protection. 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. Contact your local police department to find out if they offer this type of program.

The alarm system you choose should protect more than just the doors to your home. All windows can be entry spots for thieves. Attach the alarm to each window and ask for monitoring for them. Do this to keep you and your family safe.

If you purchase big-ticket items, don’t throw their boxes in the trash before trash day. These boxes sitting outside your home serve as a flag for thieves to target your home.

If you’ve got a garage, boost home security just by using it for only a car instead of storage. Keep the car within the garage will make sure no one harms or steals it. If you keep your car in the garage instead of in the driveway, it is harder for thieves to know whether you are at home or not.

If you are moving into a home that had a previous owner, then you should immediately change the locks. Even though the previous tenant may have turned in their key, you never know if they have a copy. It is possible to purchase and put in locks on your own so you can be assured you have the only keys.

Having a bright and lit-up home at night deters crooks. They want to avoid being seen. Making your home’s exterior nice and bright will make it impossible for crooks to go undetected. Keep lights on during the night.

Changing your locks first can help make your home much more secure. Perhaps your roommate left town or you have gone through a messy divorce, and you need to feel that the home is safe. Changing locks is not very expensive and should be done within a few hours.

When you landscape your house, make it safe. Keep your doors and windows clear of any shrubbery. If windows and doors can be easily seen from all areas, then burglars cannot hide as well, which will hinder their plans. Have your landscape several feet away from your house for better safety.

A reputable security company will send a representative to your home to design a custom system. You need some features which other families may wish to do without. A custom set-up will make sure you’re as safe as can be.

If you reside in a small town or rural area, then you might not be as worried about someone breaking into your home as city dwellers may be. Others think that living in the country is more risky than other areas because houses are so far apart. Others think that rural places have less of a chance of being targets for burglars.

If you just purchased electronics, do not leave empty boxes outside. Burglars pay attention to this, and it will make them want to break in and get the items. Cut the boxes up when they are empty.

Ask about the various contract lengths offered by a home security company. There are benefits and drawbacks to each. Long contracts are cheaper every month, but can outlast your stay in the home. While a short contract provides you with extra freedom, it can cost you more for each month.

Lock the house, even if just going away for a short time. Most break-ins and burglaries occur because a door is left open and an intruder just walks in. They can get a ton of stuff quickly and be long gone before you return.

Talk to your home-security company to see if they provide buy and lease options for your equipment. Buying outright costs a lot more in the beginning, but one time costs might lower or eliminate some monthly fees that add up over time. 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. Check out both options and determine which is best for you.

Never hide keys in obvious locations. Is anybody really fooled by those fake rocks? Not likely. The first place an intruder will likely look is under the doormat. Talk to a neighbor or someone that you know to hold your key. If you cannot do that, try to be creative when it comes to hiding places.

The wiring on your house is valuable to burglars. A lot of people don’t realize this fact until a robber steals it from their home. It does not take much time to strip off the expensive copper wires from the exterior of your house. Be sure that you keep all your wiring hidden and make it hard to access.

A home security system might just be what you need. It may also be a good idea to make a few changes around your home. Research your options to find the best solution for your family.