It is likely you know of someone who has been the victim of a burglary at some point. Paying a little extra attention to home security is never a bad idea. Regardless of who you are, break-ins can happen to you. This article discusses strategies for increasing your home’s security.

Make sure your home appears occupied. You can purchase timers that can control your household electronics such as lights, TVs and radios. This way it will always look as if someone is home, even when you are away. It is also another way to secure your home.

Setting off an alarm during a burglary is just one of the valuable functions a good security system can perform. Many systems can be used to go off whenever anyone enters your home. This is important to parents who have small children, because they will want to know if the children have opened a door.

Think very carefully about where to hide your spare key. Under the doormat or above the door frame are all too common spaces that will be checked first by potential intruders. A better place to keep your key is inside your outside dog’s collar.

Get advice from loved ones about home security systems. It is probable that you will hear some great stories about some companies as well as some not so great stories about others. This can save you the hassle of having to research everything on your own. Ask around so that you can have the advice that you need to make a good choice.

Buy a safe for very valuable items in the house so you can keep them inside a single location. If a burglar enters your home, he or she will have a hard time making off with your possessions. Be sure to put your safe in an out of the way place like the basement, attic or under the floorboards.

See if your area police department has any home security programs. Home inspections or engraving identifiers can help protect you. A quick call to the non-emergency number at the police station in your town will tell you all you need to know.

Compared to city dwellers, you might feel more safe in your rural home. Some maintain that rural dwellers have greater risk since their neighbors live farther away. That said, stranger things have happened.

Turn off your phone’s ringer when you go on vacation. If the phone continues to ring while you’re gone, this lets an intruder know that the home is empty.

A skylight is another area that needs to be protected for home security. Skylights are commonly used by thieves to enter a home. Check that skylights have heavy duty hardware that can stand up under unwanted tampering.

Use your wall spaces to hide your valuables. It is unnecessary cut space into your wall. You can find areas in your walls that are pre-cut and use those. How about unwiring an electricity socket and using it as cover for a place to stash valuable jewelry?

Don’t make a habit of giving strangers access to your home. Do not give in, even if a person uses a convincing story, asks for help or says they are selling something. Some criminals will use any reason to gain access to look for security systems and easy entryways into your house.

Keep valuables out of sight of windows. Large windows let in a lot of light, but they also allow outsiders to see inside your living space. If your windows face a street, be sure they’re always covered and have your valuables safe.

If your home security system is installed, be sure its wires are well-hidden. Exposed wires make it easy for an intruder to cut them and disable the alarm. To provide maximum security, wiring should be laid underground or installed safely within the walls of your house. This makes it much less likely that your system will be compromised.

When summer comes around, eliminate all vegetation and dead wood from your yard. This can be a fire hazard, especially if you live in an area with high heat. To make sure your home is safer, clear your yard periodically.

After making major (i.e. expensive) purchases, don’t dump the packaging out front if your next scheduled garbage pick-up is several days away. If you leave the boxes out all week, it lets people know what type of items you have in your home.

Copper Wiring

Consider hiding valuables within your walls. You don’t have to damage the walls to do so. Instead, you can use the small spaces that are already there. If you have an electric socket you do not use, hide valuables behind their covers.

There is a lot of value in copper wiring. Many people have their wires stripped each year. Copper wiring is very valuable and susceptible to being stripped from the outside of your home. To keep the wiring safe, be sure that the wire is hidden from view.

Keep safety at the forefront when landscaping your property. Don’t provide burglars with cover by planting big shrubs in front of your doors and windows. Keeping these features free of vegetation robs would-be burglars of concealment and hiding places. This should be planned in advance for your safety.

Don’t put your extra key under you doormat, in a planter, or in a cleverly disguised false rock. You may believe you are making life easier for yourself, but you may just be giving thieves simple access to your house. Any thief knows all the typical hiding spots. Rather, give your spare key to a neighbor or friend that you trust.

Think about your personal security needs before you purchase a home security system. They can really protect your family, but they’re not something that everybody needs. In some situations, having a good dog and/or learning some self defense may be all that you really need to feel safe. Understand completely the risks and rewards in order to make an informed purchase decision.

Get a paper shredder. You’d be shocked at how many times thieves search trash looking for personal documents to see when you’re not home so that they can get into your home. Rip paper into tiny pieces if you can’t afford to purchase a paper shredder.

When moving into your new house, change every lock. It may seem as if the former owners of the home are honest, but really you don’t know much about them. If the previous owners have never changed the locks, there could be people out there who owned the house before them and still have keys to your house.

Always request that your house or pet sitter remove fliers from your door. Some burglars place fliers to see if they’ll be quickly removed. If the flier stays in place, the burglar knows that the homeowner is out on vacation.

Find out if the company you choose will give you the option of buying or leasing home security systems. Buying equipment can be pricey upfront, but it’s a single cost versus a monthly cost. Sometimes it’s more affordable to begin with a lease, even though a continued lease may be costly in terms of ongoing higher monthly fees. Think about both options before making a decision.

Make sure that the person analyzing your home for a home security system is who he says. Thieves often pose as security company representatives in order to enter homes and look for valuables. This is dangerous for your family and your possessions. Be deliberate in preventing hazards.

Do not store your car registration documents in your glove compartment. If someone accesses these documents, they can determine your address. Hide them somewhere else in the car, or carry them with you. They have to be available if the cops pull you over.

Do not assume you are safe from home burglaries. Any home which is simple to get into can be a target. Follow the advice below to make sure your house and family are safe and secure.

One relatively inexpensive way to add an extra layer of protection to your home is to install motion sensor lights for the exterior of your home. In the evening hours, this lighting can provide extra security and an economical way to light your front entrance way when you arrive. When placed appropriately, no one will be able to break in unannounced.