What are you willing to pay to keep your home and family safe? Are you finding out that the price tags on major home security systems out of your range? Is it your hope to find something more affordable? Happily, there are a number of affordable security options that are readily available. This piece discusses useful, cost-effective home security strategies.

Home security plans have other features along with an alarm that goes off during a break-in. They often even alert you to any time a door is opened. This is important if you have small kids.

Always make your house appear to be occupied. Timers can be used to turn lights and televisions on and off when required. Potential intruders will stay away from your home if they believe someone is inside. This is great for keeping a home safer from burglaries.

When in the process of purchasing a home-security system, be sure to comparison shop. Several different firms may offer similar protection for wildly divergent prices. Get quotes from several companies so that you can get the best price for your home security system.

Spare Key

If you will be vacationing for an extended period of time, turn off the ringer on all the phones in your house. Intruders might be attracted by a phone that rings constantly without anyone picking up.

Put your spare key on your dog. Of course, your dog has to be an outdoor dog (or you at least need to have a doggy door) for this to work. Simply affix a spare key to the collar of the animal. You’ll always have a backup plan if you lose your key!

If you have an attached garage, make sure it is secure. Intruders can enter your home through an unlocked garage door. A C-clamp is very useful for garage doors that lift on tracks. It will prevent garage doors from opening up whenever it is near the roller and is tight on the track.

Only give your house key to a professional house cleaner if you trust them. Make sure they are honest, reputable and hardworking. Make sure you verify all references. If this professional is from a company, it’s best to check with the Better Business Bureau to see what kind of reputation they have.

Always go with your gut when it comes to choosing a security firm. This goes for the installer, too. If you simply are not comfortable with a company’s technician, request for another technician or simply hire another company. The point of having a security system is to make yourself feel at ease.

Do you have a dog that stays in your yard when you’re not at home? Store the spare key with them. Stash the key on the pup’s collar to keep it out of sight. If you have a pet that does not trust strangers, this can help you get into your house if needed.

Do that put spare keys above door frames or under door mats. These seem like great places for you when you misplace your key. Rest assured, thieves have a good idea about these hiding places. Rather, give your key to a neighbor you find trustworthy.

Don’t ever put your spare key under your doormat or in a planter. These seem like great places for you when you misplace your key. Burglars are well aware of such hiding places. Instead, give your extra key to a neighbor whom you trust.

Don’t leave the packaging from any electronics or expensive purchases sitting on the curb until trash day. If you set these boxes out with the trash, thieves will know you have expensive items in your house.

If you are new into a house, replace all the locks. Although the person you purchased the house from might seem good, you really have no clue as to who they really are. And, other people could have lived in the home previously to them as well.

Make sure all the wood around your doors is in great shape. An intruder could pry the rotten wood easily to open the door. Replace wood that is starting to rot with fresh new wood to keep your home as safe as possible.

If the home you are moving into is not brand new, you should change the locks on all the doors. Although the tenant before might have turned their key in, they might still have a duplicate key. You can purchase and install locks yourself to make sure only you have the key.

You should have several flashlights and batteries in all your rooms. The flashlights are important because they make you able to get around the house in an emergency. Train your kids how to use flashlights so that all members of the family can contribute.

Check references before giving anyone access to your home. Perform a background check to learn about their criminal history, too. You can’t always be sure that maids, service workers or contractors are honest, and therefore giving out keys can be a big error.

Talk to any companies you’re considering hiring to install a security system about how long the company has been around. 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. Being in the hands of a good company helps you have peace about your decision.

Make an appointment with a home security company to evaluate the security needs of your home specifically. Different people require different plans. If you find a company that will tailor the plan you choose to your needs, you can get the highest level of security that makes you feel comfortable.

Consider your security risk and safety needs before purchasing home security systems. Although these systems can protect you and your family, not everybody needs them. 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.

If you don’t have a paper shredder, you might want to buy one. Thieves often look through garbage, trying to find credit card information or other important documents. If a paper shredder is not in your budget, consider tearing your documents into tiny pieces or even burning them.

If a friend picks up your mail while you’re away, have them check for fliers on your door. This is a way people who are casing out your house can tell whether you are home or not. A flier that hangs around for days on end lets burglars know that there’s no one in the home.

Can someone standing in the middle of the street see clearly your house numbers? In the event of an emergency, police officers may have trouble finding your house if they cannot read your address numbers. Luckily, this is an issue that can be fixed quickly.

It is a good idea to invest in video surveillance for your home security system. Adding video cameras on the property can be a good idea. A visible video camera acts as a warning to an intruder. If the intruder disables the visible camera, the hidden camera will document it! A lot of surveillance systems may be accessed through a cell phone, letting you check on your house when you’re away.

Credit Card

Find out more about the different contracts your security company offers. Each likely has its benefits and drawbacks. While your monthly rates may be lower with a lengthy contract, you have no recourse should you list your home for sale or terminate your contract. If you want more freedom, it is best to purchase a more expensive but shorter contract.

Do not use spring latch locks on your doors. These are very easy to pick by simply using a credit card. They can put the credit card in between the latch and door to open the lock. A deadbolt should be added for security purposes if you have locks that are spring latch.

Don’t get spring latch locks. These locks are easy to break into since they may be opened up with a credit card. Burglars just slip a card between the latch and the door, causing the lock mechanism to open. If you are already using locks that operate on spring latches, improve your security by adding a deadbolt.

Avoid common hiding places for your spare key. Fake rocks are particularly simple to spot. The first place an intruder will likely look is under the doormat. Instead, you should keep your spare keys with a trusted neighbor. If that option isn’t available to you, be creative with your hiding spots.

Blinds, shades and curtains are best closed when no one is home. Leaving your windows unguarded exposes the interior of your home to everyone, including criminals looking for tempting targets. If something desirable is visible, you can expect a break in. Do not forget to close your shades before going to bed.

Set up a timer to turn your lights off and on at regular intervals. Not only does this save you a step, you can continue the routine even when you are not home.

If you want to hide your house key, find a spot that is not obvious. Everyone knows about fake rocks. Many people also know to check under the welcome mat. A safer option is entrusting a neighbor or one of your most trusted friends to keep your spare key. If you can’t, be creative where you put the key.

Keep your drapes closed at night. You shouldn’t be inviting people to look at your stuff through the window. If valuable items can be seen from outside your home, it is an open invitation to burglars. Minimize your chances of burglary by minimizing what in your home is visible to the public.

If you have a numeric keypad on your door as your lock, don’t make the password your birthday. Your birth date is easy information to obtain. Make it something that is unique and that you can remember.

Replace any non-metal or non-wood door immediately. Those materials will hold. If a robber tried to break in, it would be hard for him to do that. It should be possible for you to find replacements for all of your doors for a good price, so do it right away.

See if your security firm offers lighting that is motion-sensitive. Many companies offer this, and it causes the lights on the outside of your home to go on as soon as someone approaches an entry way. This makes your home safer because it warns intruders away.

Sliding Glass

It is not enough to buy an alarm for your home. It needs to connect with the police if a burglar sets it off. The only way to ensure this is to use a system that calls the police for you. You really cannot depend on your neighbor to contact the police.

It can be tough to provide the proper level of security in a home equipped with sliding glass doors. They can be unlocked with a bit if jiggling. You can install a security channel to protect your sliding glass door and/or cut a piece of pipe or a dowel that fits into the door channel. This keeps your door closed tightly and it will make it much harder to open forcibly.

Women living alone or with just children are targeted more often than others. Make it seem as if there is a man living in your home by putting large mud boots on your porch and a man’s hat in your car. This will make burglars think twice about breaking in.

Price plays a major role in home security. If you don’t have a large budget, there are inexpensive methods you can try. This article should have presented a number of tips that you can use to make your home more secure. They may be the best, most effective bargain ever.

Always change the keys and locks on a new home. Always make sure that the lock is switched at least once a year.