Are you interested in purchasing a home security system? People don’t always consider all of their options first. Make sure that you are not careless and there is a good chance that you will be safe.

Make sure your home appears occupied. You can buy timers to have radios, TVs, lights and other electronics go off and on at different times. This makes people think you’re home. It is also another way to secure your home.

Your dog could carry a spare key for you. If your dog lives outside or is able to come and go through a dog door, this is a viable idea. You could simply put a key onto your dog’s collar, so it is always handy.

The best home security systems do much more than sound the alarm (literally). Most of them can be programmed to alert you to anyone entering your home. For families with young children, this is excellent for alerting when a child has entered or left the house.

Keep your most precious belongings inside a safe. This is vital if you don’t want diamonds, gold or other personal items exposed to a home intruder. Keep the safe hidden somewhere remote.

Hide your spare key in a place where no one would think to look for it. Hiding it beneath the doormat is very common and most intruders will look there. A possible solution is to attach a key to your outdoor dog’s collar.

When you set out to purchase home security equipment, remember to comparison shop. Every company offers different pricing. Get quotes from several companies so that you can get the best price for your home security system.

Don’t open up your door for someone who is a stranger. There are many different tactics that crooks use to enter homes, and a common way is simply to walk up to the door and ask for help. Make a house rule forbidding anyone to open the door for an unexpected visitor.

Ask your friends for advice before you choose a home security system or company. They may have had experiences with certain companies and can lead you in the right direction. Ask around so you’ll have as much advice as you need in order to make a sound decision.

Use your garage for your car and not for storage. Protect your car from vandals by keeping it in the garage. When it is in hiding, people won’t know if you’re home.

Have lights that sense motion. These lights will come on if someone walks near your house. Not only will you know that someone is out there, it will also deter burglars because they want to be inconspicuous. However, make sure to put in fresh bulbs every now and then.

You should not let anyone inside your home. This includes a salesperson or people looking for help. Some criminals will come in, case your house and then come back when you are away.

A wall is a great hiding place. You can hide small valuables inside the walls. Target any unused phone jacks or electrical outlets for an easy hiding spot. If you use all of them, you can always have fake ones installed.

Use your wall spaces to hide your valuables. You do not need to remove segments from your walls. There should be pre-cut spaces throughout your home that will suffice. Unused electrical sockets can be great for hiding expensive jewelry.

See what your local police department offers in terms of home protection programs. 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.

Unless you’re moving into a brand-new apartment or home, changing the locks should be one of your top priorities. Although other tenants might not have a key anymore, they could have copied it. Find a reliable locksmith who can replace the locks or do it yourself.

If the front door is open when you get home, resist the temptation to go in alone to find the reason. This can be very dangerous because the thief could still be inside. Go to a neighbor’s or another safe area and call the police.

Try not to have a shy attitude. Talk to your neighbors and those on your block. Keep watch of their homes when they are away, and ask if they will return the favor. Do not ignore gossip either. You might actually learn a thing or two concerning people that have been hanging around.

You might need a security system. It could just be that you need to shake things up a little at home. Check out all your choices to know which ones are right for you.