Many people see home security as annoying and tedious, particularly when installation specialists enter your home. But there are simple things that you can do on your own. Read this tips in this article for fast, easy ways to make your home more secure today.

Consider using your dog as a place to store your spare key. This only makes sense if your dog is outdoors a lot or you have a pet door. Attach the key to your dog’s collar, and it will be handy if you ever need a spare.

Security systems are more than just an alarm. Many systems sound an alert whenever people enter the house. This can be useful if you’ve got small children that are able to open doors.

Do you have a dog that stays in your yard when you’re not at home? If so, the dog can be a terrific spot to keep a spare key. You can attach your key to your dog’s collar in order to keep the key hidden. This is the perfect place to store a spare key, especially if your dog doesn’t care for strangers.

Don’t post online when you’ll be away from your home. Though trips are always fun to talk about, you may be doing little more than telling burglars the best times to visit your house.

It is important to invest in building supplies that are as fire resistant as possible. This can provide additional safety to the home, particularly in dry regions. Fire prevention is always a good idea, and sometimes it can be a lifesaving idea!

Talk to people you know for referrals when choosing home security systems. 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.

Eliminate dead vegetation and rotting wood from the yard each summer. This can be a fire hazard, especially if you live in an area with high heat. Clearing your yard keeps your home, belongings and family much safer.

Don’t open your door if a stranger is on the other side. People are coming up with all sorts of ways to convince people to open their door to them, with the intent of committing burglary or worse. Make sure everyone in your house knows not to open the door unless they know the person standing outside.

If your house has a garage, keep the car there, not just your junk. Having the car in the garage will prevent it from getting broken into or stolen. Hiding your car from plain view will also keep potential intruders from tracking when you are home and when you aren’t.

Change your locks if someone you don’t trust moves out of your home. Not everyone who leaves your house will leave happy, and a fresh set of locks will protect you from both former residents and acquaintances of your own looking to cause mischief. Most locksmiths can accomplish the job within 24 hours.

Don’t be shy. Meet your neighbors. Look out for their property, and see if they will look out for yours. Also consider listening in on some of the neighborhood gossip. You might find out valuable information related to security, like if there have been any strangers hanging around.

You can hide things in your walls. This is a great way to hide jewelry, for example. Any phone jack or electrical outlet that isn’t being used is a great place to hide valuables. If you don’t have unused plates, it’s easy to put in a fake one.

Motion sensor lights on the exterior of your home is a great idea. These kinds of lights will pop right on when they detect motion near your home. This lets you know something is moving and also drives off criminals. Remember to keep working bulbs in them at all times.

Always lock your home, regardless of how short your trip out is. It may be shocking, but many home invasions and burglaries occur by intruders walking through the front door that was left open. A thief can steal lots of stuff in a little amount of time.

Changing your locks first can help make your home much more secure. Maybe you had a roommate move out or have a disgruntled ex-lover, changing the locks is the best way to keep yourself safe. Changing locks is not very expensive and should be done within a few hours.

Don’t leave the packaging from any electronics or expensive purchases sitting on the curb until trash day. These boxes sitting outside your home serve as a flag for thieves to target your home.

Do not let people on the street see valuable items in your home. Large windows allow you to keep an eye on who is approaching your home, but keep in mind that potential intruders will be tempted if they can see your valuables. Blinds are a great way to allow the light in, without allowing people to see in at the same time.

Are you aware of the value of your home’s wires? This is something few homeowners realize until they become victims of wiring theft. The copper wiring can be stripped and be turned in for money. Hide your wiring to secure it.

Replace all locks in a new house. The old owners may seem nice, but you don’t know everything about them. Remember that other families may have lived there before that person as well.

Your first priority when you move to an apartment or house where others have lived in before is to replace all the locks. Even though the previous tenant may have turned in their key, you never know if they have a copy. You can purchase the locks and install them yourself to ensure you’re the only person that has a key.

If someone from the security company comes to your home, ask to see their ID before allowing them in. Having the name of the technician coming to your house ahead of time can help to ensure you are allowing someone who really works for the company into your home. This is dangerous to your valuables and your family. Be cautious to stay safe.

Before allowing someone into your house, be sure to carefully check their references. A background check is also recommended so you know if they have a criminal history. You don’t know whether the contractor, maid, or repairman that you’ve hired is trustworthy and handing them your keys could be a costly mistake.

Prior to allowing access to anyone, make sure you are shown proper identification. It wouldn’t hurt to also perform a background check. You can never be certain if the contractor, repairman, maid, etc. that you hire to do services in your home is honest. If you let these people in without knowing anything about them, you could experience significant losses.

The Internet is your friend when searching for a home security company, so you should use it wisely. The sites of the companies themselves will provide you with details about their services, testimonials from their customers, and pricing information. After narrowing down your top five choices, you can then take the next step by contacting each one.

If you wish to boot your home’s security, one cheap way to do this is to buy exterior lights with motion detectors. At night, the lights will keep things bright round the house, but they are also efficient and cost-effective ways to help your security. If the lights are positioned correctly on your home, then it makes it much less likely for a burglar to enter.

Find out how long a company has been in operation before signing a home security contract. Any business with multiple years of history has a proven record in being reliable. Knowing that you are dealing with a shady company can keep you calm when making this crucial decision.

Look online for a reputable home security business. Check out different websites, and read through package details and customer testimonials. Then, you can choose a top three to contact and compare details and pricing.

You don’t necessarily need a fancy security system to keep your home safe. There are many options available to you including owning a gun and adding more locks to your home’s doors. Follow the tips presented here for a safe and secure home.

You need a home security system. Installing video cameras, both visible and hidden, are a great way to secure your home. Visible cameras deter the majority of intruders, and if they try to disarm them, a camera that is hidden will keep capturing footage. Find a security system that gives you the option to view the video feed from your phone so you can check on your home at anytime.