If home security is on your mind, you want to pull together as much information on the subject as possible. This is a decision that deserves careful consideration. Rather, you’ve got to determine the best way to protect your family.

You can hide your spare key on your dog. But, this is only effective if your home has a pet door or your dog stays outdoors when you are not home. Hide a key inside the collar of your dog in case you need a spare.

Does your dog remain outside while you’re gone? Use him or her to help hide your spare key! Put it on their collar. This is quite effective if your pet does not respond well to strangers.

Be very cautious about entrusting a maid service with a key to your home. If you plan to give them a key so they can clean in your home while you are away, ensure they are reputable and honest. Make sure you verify all references. If applicable, call the BBB to inquire about their reputation.

A good security system has many more features than sounding the alarm during a break-in. Many systems can be used to go off whenever anyone enters your home. This is useful for parents who have small kids, as it helps keep them from leaving the house.

Do you keep your dog outside if you leave the home? Store the spare key with them. Attach the key to the dog’s collar so that it is hidden from view. If your pet does not get along with strangers, this will ensure your spare key stays safe.

Never place a spare key in a plant box or under your welcome mat. These seem like great places for you when you misplace your key. Burglars are well aware of such hiding places. A better solution is to give your key to a neighbor you trust.

Good home security systems sound a loud alarm when breached, and that’s not all. Most systems could sound an alarm when someone enters the home. This can be useful if you’ve got small children that are able to open doors.

If you have any boxes to discard from large, expensive items, wait until the evening before the trash is scheduled for collection. Having these type of boxes hanging around will give robbers a good idea of what type of merchandise you have inside of your home.

Never allow any strangers into your home. Even if the person has a compelling story, needs help or has something to sell, they should not be given access. Some criminals will come in, case your house and then come back when you are away.

Do you know how valuable the wires within your home are? Lots of people don’t know this until their wires are stolen. The copper component of wiring is very valuable and may be stripped from the outside of your home in a fairly short amount of time. Hide the wiring and make it harder to access to prevent this from happening.

Talk to your local police department about what they offer. They may offer things such as home inspections, engraving tool loans, and other guidance about securing your house. Discuss the possibility of this sort of program with your police department.

It’s smart to use the Internet when you are looking for a good security company for your home. Take a look at various websites and read over customer testimonials and details about various packages. Then you can schedule an appointment for a home visit to discuss which package is best for you and what it will cost.

It is important that you check your home security system periodically, at least once a year. Ask someone from your security company to come over and have a look. The weather and animals are two things that may cause havoc on your home’s security system. There are always ways your home is vulnerable, even if you don’t know it.

Don’t limit security to the inside of your home; the outside needs attention too. There should be no plants or greenery in front of doors or windows. Do not give robbers a chance to hide in any area. If you want to have a garden around your home, keep trees and shrubs away from your house.

Even if you only plan to be gone for a very short time, lock your house. Most burglars gain entry to a home through an unlocked door. It can be a quick job for a burglar to steal items of great value.

Before signing up for a particular home-security company, find out how long they’ve been around. Companies that have been around for awhile show that they can provide reliable support. You may not feel as safe if you opt to go with a company that has not been in business for long or that does not have a stable history.

If you install a security system, make certain to hide the wires well. Intruders can easily disable your home security system by cutting or unplugging the wires. Keep the wires hidden in the walls or underground to keep intruders from getting in. This way, you will be safer.

Keep your home’s exterior areas illuminated well. Burglars like committing crimes in the darkness. You should put a light on any area where a person could break in. All doors, porches, garages and windows should be well lit.

If you have any boxes to discard from large, expensive items, wait until the evening before the trash is scheduled for collection. Exposing the box to view ahead of time signals a burglar that he will find this item in your home.

If you come to your home and discover that your door has been left open, avoid investigating by yourself. The thief might still be inside, and you don’t have any idea whether or not they are armed. It is best to call the police right away and go to a safe place until the police check your home.

When moving into your new house, change every lock. Regardless of how you feel about the sellers, you never know someone’s true intentions. Keep in mind that other people may have lived in the home prior to the seller.

There are wireless systems available for home security, as another option. While a wired system is more affordable, it also requires more extreme modifications of your home’s existing wiring. This could be a potential problem in the event that your power goes out. Also, you will have a very easy time installing them.

Before allowing any security company reps to come into your home, make sure they have on a uniform and they have valid ID. Criminals can easily pretend to be from a security firm as a means to gain entry to the house. This proves rather dangerous for both your family and also your valuables. Be very careful with who you let into your home.

Don’t leave the boxes of any high priced electronics on the curb of your house. A burglar may see the box and decide to target you as a result. Break them down and put them in a bag or take them to a recycling center.

Always ask for references before letting a contractor or a maid in your home. Don’t be afraid of conducting background checks to determine if they have a criminal history. You never really know if you can trust a service person, and giving access to the wrong one can prove disastrous.

When you aren’t home, make sure your windows are covered. If you keep them up, intruders will be able to see right into your home. They may break in if they spot something that they like. Your window dressing should also be closed while you sleep.

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. At night, not only will these lights be handy to light up areas around your home,they are also a cost-effective and efficient security addition. When placed appropriately, no one will be able to break in unannounced.

The glove compartment is bad place to store important documents like your car’s registration. Anyone with access to your car can find out where you live, so it is not a smart thing to do. Keep them in your wallet or in another safe place like your trunk. Remember, you do need to be able to access them quickly if you get pulled over by a policeman.

When standing in the street, can you see your house numbers? If there’s an emergency, it will take longer for the police to locate your home if the numbers are concealed in any way or too small. Happily, it’s quick and easy to fix this problem.

Think about a security system that is hard-wired if you really have concerns about maintenance costs. As nice as wireless systems can be, the constant charging and battery changes can become tedious and expensive. You might forget to change out the batteries, which will result in your system not operating as it should. Replacing several batteries will quickly add up.

There is no need to have keyed locks on interior doors. Instead, use a numeric keypad. You can install these locks yourself or have them professionally installed.

Solid Wood

Do not store your vehicle registration documents in your car’s glove compartment. If someone accesses these documents, they can determine your address. Instead, keep the registration in your wallet or a lock box in the trunk. You must have this information on hand if you are stopped for a traffic violation.

If you have a door that isn’t solid wood or metal, change it for either one. This sort of door will deter intruders. A burglar could not kick a solid wood or a metal door. Make sure to replace exterior doors for the cheapest amount possible.

Do not make a number-code password your birthday or other obvious number. Your birthday can be found on mail or social media sites, so this means anyone can access your home. Make it a random number that you and your family can commit to memory.

It can be tough to provide the proper level of security in a home equipped with sliding glass doors. They can be easily opened if someone lifts and shakes the door frame. If you haven’t hooked them up to your security system, you can install some pipe to fit within your door channel. Doing this will help keep your door closed tighter, making it more difficult for burglars to break in.

It is better to purchase your home security system directly from the company. Middlemen tack on extra charges and offer very little in the way of guarantees. When dealing directly with the company, you can rest assured that you are not paying additional fees, and also that the company will be there to continuously service your equipment.

After reading this article you are sure to be more informed about the subject. It’s not necessary to dive into the world of home security without knowledge. You want to make your family’s safety your priority. Remember these tips as you formulate your home security plan.

Avoid having rooms in your house that are visible from the outside. If you’re able to see a computer or TV in a house, a thief may see it as well. Use drapes, curtains or blinds to keep prying eyes from seeing inside your home. If you cannot do this, have valuables in a room that is not visible.