You, of course, consider your home security a very important aspect of your daily life. Nonetheless, it is difficult to know what steps to take first. This article is filled with information and tips you can use to find the ideal home security system.

Your dog could carry a spare key for you. This will only be ideal if you have a dog door or an outdoor dog. Attach the spare key to your dog’s collar. By doing this, you have a handy spare key whenever you need it.

You should always make sure your home looks like its occupied. Keep your radio, TV and lights on timers. This will make your home look like someone is in it. This should help you make your home safer and not attract the attention of potential intruders.

Change the locks after buying a new house. You don’t know who might have a key. Call a locksmith as soon as you can for maximum security. In addition, replace your locks if your keys ever get lost.

Beware giving keys to your maid unless the service has your absolute trust. Only select service people who are totally trustworthy. Make sure you verify all references. If they work for a firm, call the local Better Business Bureau to find out that firm’s reputation.

Don’t give your keys to a house cleaner unless you totally trust them. If you plan on giving them the key so that they can work in your home for over an hour, make sure that they’re reputable, hardworking, and honest. Go over their references and do some background research on the company they work for. If they work through a larger firm, you can check up on the company with your local Better Business Bureau.

Good home security systems sound a loud alarm when breached, and that’s not all. Many can be set for sounding their alarm if anyone enters. This is useful for parents who have small kids, as it helps keep them from leaving the house.

A good security system has many more features than sounding the alarm during a break-in. Modern systems are often capable of detecting any open door or window and announcing that fact. For families with young children, this is excellent for alerting when a child has entered or left the house.

Turn off ringers on land line phones while you are on vacation. If a burglar keeps hearing your phone ring, they’ll know the home is not occupied, making it more likely for a break-in to occur.

You should invest in fire-resistant roofing, flooring and ceiling. This adds an extra layer of protection to your home, especially if you live in a very dry area with power lines. Preventing fires is the best way to deal with them.

Do not open your door for strangers. People you do not know could have bad intentions or want to get an idea of how many valuable objects you own. Enforce a rule within your house that no one opens the door to unexpected people.

Seek recommendations from friends and family when choosing a security company or system. Most will be willing to share their likes, loves and loathes, especially as they realize how important it is to you. Be sure you seek out advice by asking those people.

Before doing anything else, install new locks in your home. As time passes, keys end up getting into the wrong hands. Changing locks is not very expensive and should be done within a few hours.

Do not let people you don’t know in your house. No matter what the excuse the person presents, keep them from entering your home. This person might just be casing the joint to see if there is home security equipment.

Use your walls as hiding spaces. This doesn’t necessarily involve chopping up your walls, either. There are lots of places around the home that have pre-cut areas that you can use. What about un-wiring an electrical socket which isn’t used to utilize as a cover to hide your jewelry?

Install motion-sensor lights. Lights like these will automatically turn on whenever someone is near them. The lights will notify you of motion and also deter would be burglars. Test the bulbs frequently, though.

Keep flashlights in your rooms. The flashlights are important because they make you able to get around the house in an emergency. If you have kids, teach them how to properly use the flashlights so everyone in the family can help out during a power outage.

Don’t put extra keys under doormats or in planters. While you may need to prepare if you have a spare key, it is wise to choose ways that do not increase the risk of a criminal gaining entrance to your home. Burglars always know just where to look. Try having your trustworthy neighbors hold spare keys.

Alter the locks and the keys when you change homes. Although other tenants might not have a key anymore, they could have copied it. It is possible to purchase and put in locks on your own so you can be assured you have the only keys.

Be sure your expensive belongings are not visible from the home’s exterior. If you have big windows near your big entertainment system, it can seem like an invitation to thieves. You always want to make sure you keep your valuables covered if they are by a window.

Before allowing someone into your house, be sure to carefully check their references. Do not hesitate to hire someone to run a background check if you have doubts. You need to be very careful with the contractors, repairmen or maids you trust with being alone in your home.

Even the wires inside your home are worth something. People often don’t think about this until they have it stolen from their home. Experienced criminals can make a decent amount of money quickly by stripping copper wiring off of houses in order to sell it at a scrapyard. That’s why it’s important to hide your wiring, or make it hard for criminals to have access to it.

Perform landscaping for your home which enhances your home’s safety. All of your windows and doors should be unobstructed by plants, shrubs, trees or fences. If windows and doors can be easily seen from all areas, then burglars cannot hide as well, which will hinder their plans. Landscaped features should be set further away for safety, yet keeping beauty in mind.

Research how long a security company has been in the business before contracting with them. Look for a security company that is well-established and has extensive experience in the industry. Knowing you are not dealing with a fly by night company gives you extra peace of mind when making this important decision.

Think about getting a home security system that is wireless. While wired systems may seem cheaper, they need your home to be rewired and they can fail due to a power outage. Also, you will have a very easy time installing them.

Dogs are among the most effective home burglary systems. Dogs will bark at the sign of trouble or intruders. You don’t have to have a huge, violent guard dog, though. Even a small dog will deter intruders, who do not want a lot of noise when they commit their crimes.

The best method to maintain a thief from going into the garage is making sure nobody can see inside. Frost your windows with film bought at a hardware store. Also, do not leave doors open.

If you are away, pull your shades closed. Leaving the curtains up invites people to peer into your living room. They may break in if they see things they like. You ought to keep them drawn while you are asleep.

Are your house numbers visible from the street? If the numbers aren’t legible, police may drive right by. This is easy and inexpensive to fix if you believe there could be a problem.

Secure your true valuables in an area that is as safe as possible. Items like family photos, pricy jewelry, legal documents, financial records, and passports need to be kept in a safe location. A floor safe is a great place to keep these items within the home. What is even better is the safe deposit box at your bank.

Your pup is a great crime deterrent. Usually, dogs protect their homes and when they sense something is wrong, they bark. The dog doesn’t have to be huge or even vicious. Even small dogs can deter criminals just by making noise when something is afoot.

If you have windows into your living room that open to the street, always draw your curtains in the evening. You never want to make it easy for folks to peer into your home. If potential burglars see the valuable possessions inside your home, they may make your house their next target. Be discreet about what the public can see and you can reduce your chances of getting burglarized.

Spring Latch Locks

Find out if your alarm company offers lighting with motion sensors. This system will cause the lights to flicker on when someone walks up to your home. This can deter potential thieves, as well as offer extra security while you enter your home.

Do not use spring latch locks on your doors. These locks can easily be picked within a couple of minutes. An intruder has only to press the card into the doorjamb between latch and the door and the lock will pop open. If you have already installed spring latch locks, consider adding a deadbolt for even more security.

A sliding glass door is not very safe. They can be simply unlocked with a lift and a shake. If you haven’t hooked them up to your security system, you can install some pipe to fit within your door channel. This keeps the door shut tightly and makes it difficult to force it open.

Keep your curtains pulled tight when you are away from home. Leaving the curtains up invites people to peer into your living room. You may have things inside that will tempt them to break into your house. Do not forget to close your shades before going to bed.

You should lock all your windows, even on the second floor. A lot of people forget to lock the windows on the second floor, but intruders will use these windows. However, this is simply not true. Intruders will check these windows if the first floor is secured.

If your current door is anything other than solid wood or metal, swap it out for one that actually is. Doors made of these materials are sturdy. A would-be intruder will have much more trouble getting through one of these than a hollow door. You are probably able to replace your exterior doors for a small price, so do that soon.

While a lock that can be secured inside are good, it is useless if you cannot also lock it after you are outside. Deadbolts are the best option. Double key locks are good as well, since burglar can’t easily open them.

Become chummy with your nosey neighbor. They will be the first one to notice any strangers lurking near your home. Being friendly will make them more likely to alert you right away.

Big, scary dogs are great security. Burglars would not want to deal with potentially being bitten or attacked. Consider getting a large dog that will protect your whole family while being a playmate for your children, walking pal or friendly companion.

Always lock the windows in your home, no matter what floor they are on. Many people overlook this since they don’t think criminals will check them. However, this is simply not true. This is known as a common weak spot, and criminals know all about this.

Have the locks changed if you’re moving into a new home. This is correct regarding home purchases and rentals, so discuss it with your landlord, or perform the lock switch yourself.

Women are more likely than men to be a target for burglary. This is especially true if they live on their own with children. Place large, muddy boots at your doorstep so it looks like a big, burly fellow lives there. This will definitely deter criminals from entering your home.

You must keep your trash secure in order to keep your home secure. Seeing boxes of recently purchased items outside your home can catch the attention of thieves. If you have purchased a kitchen appliance, the empty box can signal burglars that you might have some money. This will entice them to explore your home.

Keeping your home safe is unquestionably something you must do in order to maintain peace of mind. There is little doubt here. Learning all you can about home security will assure you have a safe home and peace of mind.

Infrared detection is technology that can alert you of humans near your home. When any living thing approaches your home, the light will turn on, informing you that someone or something is near your home. This will surely make a burglar run for it. They will think they’ve been seen and split.