How much is home security worth to you? Do you think home security companies are too expensive? Is it your hope to find something more affordable? There actually are some, and they are within reach. Read on to find out more.

Make your home look occupied at all times. Buy timers that will make your TVs, radios and other electronics turn on and turn off at various times. This will make it look like someone is home. This is a great way to keep your home safe and avoid burglaries.

You can hide your spare key on your dog. This approach is useful if your dog is a large breed that lives outdoor, or if your house has a doggy door. Place a spare key on the collar, and when you really need a spare, you know where to go!

Does your dog remain outside while you’re gone? This is a good spot for keeping your spare key. Find a place to securely fasten the key to your pet’s collar where it’s not visible. If your dog is suspicious of strangers, you have found a good hiding place for your key.

Change all of your locks when you move in. You will want to have a unique combination to stay secure. To make sure you are the sole person with access to the home, engage the services of a locksmith. Also, if you ever lose your keys, do the same.

Don’t just hide your spare key anywhere. Intruders will think to look on the top if a door frame and under a doormat. A possible solution is to attach a key to your outdoor dog’s collar.

Get a safe to protect your valuable items. You can’t have your valuable personal items and jewelry out in the open for anyone to see. Keep the safe hidden somewhere remote.

Home protection program details may be available at your police station. Many police departments will offer expert advice, arrange inspections, sponsor neighborhood watches, and help you mark and register your valuables. Your police department will be able to help you find out what is available in your town.

Spare Key

Don’t be shy. Get to know other people who live next door and others in your neighborhood. Watch their houses, and ask if they’d do the same. It does not necessarily pay to steer clear of gossip. While this is unorthodox, it may clue you into a possible home security threat.

Think very carefully about where to hide your spare key. Never put a spare key under a doormat or above a door jam. Try to find somewhere less obvious.

Consider changing your locks as a part of your home security program. Has a roommate or ex-lover moved out recently? If so, then you need to change out the locks in order to keep you and your home safe. Changing locks is not very expensive and should be done within a few hours.

Your flooring and roofing should be fire resistant. This will add an extra protection layer for your house, particularly if you live near power lines or in a dry location. Preventing a fire is important since it can cause a lot of damage.

You need to go with your gut instinct when it comes to negotiating and dealing with a home security installation company. This is especially important when it comes to the company employees who will be installing your system. Make sure that the installer has experience installing your type of security system. You want your new system to protect you, not be the way the thief gets into your home.

Ask friend for any advice they have prior to purchasing a security system or service. Knowledge of first-hand experiences can be very helpful to you when it comes to making this important decision. Ask around to get lots of advice for making a better choice.

Hide your valuables in the walls. Small items of value can be hidden for safety in your home’s walls. Just take advantage of the phone jack, electrical outlet or unused switch plate. Installing a false unused plate is very easy to do if your home doesn’t have one.

Shut off phone ringers inside the home if you’re going to be gone for quite a while. A constantly ringing phone can signal to a burglar that the house is vacant, making it an easy target for their criminal activities.

It is not a good idea to hide a spare key on your property. Though you might think that you’re giving yourself something you could use to get into your house when you’ve lost your keys, you’re actually inviting intruders inside your house. Burglars are well aware of such hiding places. The wisest course of action is to leave a spare key with a trusted friend or a reliable neighbor.

Consult with your police department to find out about good programs for home protection. They may offer things such as home inspections, engraving tool loans, and other guidance about securing your house. Get in touch with the department to determine their offerings.

Are you aware of the value present in the wiring in your home? The majority of people aren’t aware of this fact until a burglar steals these wires. Copper wiring can easily be removed. Be sure that your wiring is concealed or difficult to access in order to keep your wires safe.

People in rural areas are not usually as worried about burglaries as people in cities. There are some who believe country folk are more at risk because neighbors are not nearby. Some people think burglaries are less prevalent in rural parts.

Equipping each room in your house with a reliable flashlight (charged with good batteries, of course!) is an excellent safety investment. Flashlights are key because they allow you to move around if an emergency should arise. If you have kids, teach them how to properly use the flashlights so everyone in the family can help out during a power outage.

Security System

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 means peril for what you own as well as your loved ones. You want to use caution to prevent danger.

You want all wires of an installed security system to be hidden. Intruders can easily disable your home security system by cutting or unplugging the wires. You don’t want to help them by doing this, so make sure you have the wires within the walls. This makes it much less likely that your system will be compromised.

Keep the outside areas of your home well lit. Thieves prefer to work in darkness. Install lights in areas that possible criminals can use to enter your home. This can include garages, doorways, porches, and even near any windows on the ground floor.

Remove and replace any wood that is not up to par. Anybody wanting to break into your house can just pry off rotted wood and get inside. Replace rotted wood with fresh wood to make your home safer.

If you come home and see your door ajar, never investigate it alone. The thief might still be inside, and you don’t have any idea whether or not they are armed. Request that the police come and have them go in and check it out, before you go in yourself.

You need to make sure you’re making use of the Internet when looking at different home security companies. Check out different websites, and read through package details and customer testimonials. After narrowing down your top five choices, you can then take the next step by contacting each one.

If there are parts of your home you want no one else to enter, there is no need to lock doors or have a set of keys on you at all times. Use a code-access lock for any door you don’t want others opening. Either you or a security company can install them.

Your landscaping should be designed based on what will be safest for your home. Don’t provide burglars with cover by planting big shrubs in front of your doors and windows. If they can be seen, there will be no place to hide. Have your landscape several feet away from your house for better safety.

Do not use spring latch locks on your doors. They give intruders and easy time breaking in, since they can be unlocked with a credit card. This is achieved by sliding the card into the space between the latch and the door. This causes the lock to click open. Add a deadbolt to doors with spring-latch locks.

If you get home and notice an open door, do not go in to see what has happened. This can be dangerous since the intruder might still be on the property. Your best bet is to call the cops and wait until they arrive before you do anything else.

Does your security company offer leasing and buying? Buying equipment can be pricey upfront, but it’s a single cost versus a monthly cost. Although leasing is usually cheaper, you may have to fill out contracts and you will have higher monthly costs. Look at what you can afford, as well as what is offered and make an informed choice.

Your home security system will depend on how much you can afford to spend. When you can’t install a major alarm system, you can do something smaller. This piece is full of ideas you can use towards better home security. They may be the best defense you could use and could also be the best thing you could buy.

If you keep a spare key outside, make sure it is not kept in an obvious location. Everyone knows about fake rocks. Many people also know to check under the welcome mat. It’s better to ask a trusted friend or neighbor to hold your extra key. If that isn’t an option, be creative with a hiding spot.