Do you value home security? Are the costs of most home security services more than you can afford? Are you always on the lookout for more affordable options? They do exist, and they are much more cost-effective than you may think. Read on for home security tips, both big and small.

When looking to purchase a good home security system, it is best that you look at many companies. Prices can differ a lot among companies for the same type of protection. Be sure and get a minimum of three quotes from different companies prior to choosing one.

Make sure that you change the locks once you’ve taken possession of the house. It’s important to know everyone who has a key to your home. Contact a locksmith to make sure that only you have access to your home. Also, you can contact a locksmith if you ever misplace your keys.

Ask friends for some advice before choosing home security companies and systems. This will help you to reduce the stress that you have on your search for a good one. Do your research; it will help you make a good decision in the end.

Be very cautious about entrusting a maid service with a key to your home. You should not let cleaners have your keys if you feel like you cannot trust them, or if they will be working in your home while you are away. It is best to do a reference check on them. If you are using a cleaning firm, make sure it has an excellent Better Business Bureau rating.

See what your local police department offers in terms of home protection programs. Home inspections or engraving identifiers can help protect you. Call the local police department and inquire as to what programs they offer.

Buy a safe to keep all of your valuables in one place at home. This is essential, because you would never want valuable jewelry and other items to be seen by intruders. Hide that safe in a difficult-to-reach place like in a closet inside your basement or an attic.

Be bold. Build up a rapport with the people who own homes close to yours. By knowing the people in your neighborhood, you can rest a little easier knowing that people are looking out for each other. Don’t ignore any gossip either. You may stumble across valuable security information, like if someone has noticed a stranger lurking around the neighborhood.

Make sure to use caution when deciding if and where to hide an extra key outside of your home. Hiding it beneath the doormat is very common and most intruders will look there. You should hide it in your dog’s collar.

Always lock your home, regardless of how short your trip out is. Many burglaries happen because the intruders can just walk right inside. They can get a ton of stuff quickly and be long gone before you return.

You should invest in fire-resistant roofing, flooring and ceiling. This will make your home more safe, especially if you are in a dry climate that has many power lines. Keeping fire hazards away is a great safety precaution since fire can cause lots of destruction.

The alarm system you choose should protect more than just the doors to your home. It should protect the windows too. Attach an alarm to every one of them, and make sure all entry points are monitored. This is a way to make sure your family will be safe.

If your social networking accounts are filled with folks you do not really know, do not announce vacations on the sites. While it is exciting to go to a new place and have a good time, you are letting thieves know that your house will be empty and they can come right in.

Keep your home security system’s wires under cover. If the wires are exposed, an intruder can bypass the system by cutting its wires. Hide them in the walls or bury them underground to keep people from tampering with them. Your safety will increase.

If you will be vacationing for an extended period of time, turn off the ringer on all the phones in your house. A phone which rings forever is a sign to burglars that you’re not there.

Don’t throw away boxes for expensive or valuable items until the garbage collection day. They show the world you have money and lots of valuables inside.

If you have a stranger at your door, do not open it. Burglars are getting creative, and they will do anything they can to gain access to your home. Therefore, only allow people you know and are expecting to enter your home.

Be sure to replace all of the old locks as soon as you move into a new domicile. The previous owner may be perfectly respectable, but you can’t know that for sure. Many other people could have keys to the property, and you probably don’t want them to all have access to your home.

You have a choice on who installs your security system, don’t be afraid to say no if something doesn’t feel right. You should be very picky when it comes to letting people inspect your home. If you are unsure, contact the security company to make sure that the installer was actually sent by them. The purpose of using the company is to calm your uneasiness, not worsen it.

Replace rotted wood that surrounds your door frame. A burglar can easily strip away wood that has rotted. As a result, this will assist them in breaking into your home. Replace wood that is starting to rot with fresh new wood to keep your home as safe as possible.

Flashlights in your home should always have newer batteries if your power goes out. These items will help you remain safe when there is no electricity. Make sure each member of your family knows where the flashlights are and how to operate them.

When you hire a security firm, be certain to review all contracts carefully. Sometimes, hidden costs can be incurred if you get rid of the service before a certain date. It is best to know all you can about a service you sign up for.

You can find an excellent home security company with a simple Internet search. The sites of the companies themselves will provide you with details about their services, testimonials from their customers, and pricing information. Then, you can choose a top three to contact and compare details and pricing.

What do you need to personally feel safe? Security systems are a proven method of reducing your chance of break-ins, but it is not always the right choice. Sometimes you may just want to invest in a dog or self-defense classes. Make sure you understand your risks so you can make wise purchasing decisions.

Invite a security company to come to your house and figure out a system that will work for you. The needs and wants of each family and the configuration of each home are quite individual. When you choose a company that pays close attention to detail in creating your home security plan, you will feel very secure.

You may want to get a security system that is wireless. Although wired systems are usually more affordable, they usually involve changing out the wires of your home. As a result, if a power outage occurs, these wires will probably not be effective. Wireless systems are much easier to install, and they can work independently of your home’s power.

A wireless security system for your home is a great option. While the wired systems are less expensive, they usually mean rather intrusive wiring for your house, which can also go out during power outages. A wireless system, on the other hand, requires less maintenance and is simpler to install.

Install a home surveillance system. This will allow you to see who is around your house. If a burglar can see them, they are likely to go away. A lot of surveillance systems are accessible using your cell phone, so you can monitor your home while you are out of town.

Consider installing a surveillance system for your home. Video camera installation can effectively make your home secure. Also, you can capture the intruder in the act. As an added security bonus, most modern systems will allow you to monitor your cameras remotely (via cell phone) for round-the-clock protection.

The best way to keep a burglar out of your garage is to ensure no one can see inside. Cover your windows with frosting; this could be purchased at hardware stores. They prevent people from peeking inside. Do not leave doors open for lengthy periods while you are doing work.

A great way to deter criminals from getting into the garage is to make sure nobody sees inside it. Cover windows using frosting, which you can buy at large hardware stores, to keep people from peeking in your window. Also keep your garage door closed whenever possible, especially if you will be stepping away from it for an extended period of time.

A dog is a great home security alarm. Dogs protect your home by barking if something is wrong. That is not to say that a big, scary dog is required. Small dogs even scare off intruders as they don’t like anything to make noise when breaking into a home.

Empty Boxes

Discuss various contracts offered by any home security provider you are exploring. Each will have its own pros and some cons, too. A long contract may lock you in even if you choose to sell the house or want to stop the services, but it can result in a lower bill every month. Shorter contracts may offer greater freedom at a higher cost.

If you buy something that is expensive, you need to make sure you don’t leave empty boxes curbside. Burglars will see these boxes and recognize that there are new valubles in your house. Break down the empty boxes whenever possible.

You want your blinds and curtains closed if you’re away from your home. You do not want any part of your home visible to the public. If they notice this, they may break in. You should also have them down when you are sleeping.

Do not use spring latch locks on your doors. Defeating a spring latch lock is a trivial endeavor; experienced burglars can get through one using nothing more than a credit card. They can put the credit card in between the latch and door to open the lock. If you already have spring latch locks, install a deadbolt for added security.

If you often turn your lights off/on around the same time, consider using a timer. This makes your life a bit easier, and it means that your lights will still be lit even if you are away from long periods of time.

Find out if the company you choose will give you the option of buying or leasing home security systems. Purchasing equipment outright will cost more initially, but may offer savings over the long term. Leasing usually proves cheaper at first, but it comes with strings attached through contracts or continuing fees and charges. Evaluate both alternatives and choose the best option for yourself.

A home security system can be really nice, but it’s only completely effective if someone notifies the police. Get an alarm that automatically notifies the police. Don’t count on neighbors to hear the alarm and call the police.

It all boils down to what is affordable. When you can’t install a major alarm system, you can do something smaller. The above article has some good home security choices. These tips will prove to be invaluable.

Homes that have sliding glass doors can be more of a security risk. Shaking the doors or even simply lifting them can unlock them. If you lack a connected security system for such doors, cut a piece of pipe to stick in the door’s channel. This helps keep your door closed and makes it not easy to open.