Continue reading if you need advice about home security. Home security is a complex and costly topic that requires a great deal of thought. To make a wise choice, you need solid information.

Home security systems do more than sounding an alarm in case of a break in. You can have your system alert you of any movement in certain areas of your home. This can be valuable to parents with small children as they are made aware their child has opened or closed a door.

Your dog could carry a spare key for you. Really this works only if you have a pet door or if your dog is an outdoor dog. Hide a key inside the collar of your dog in case you need a spare.

Make sure to use caution when deciding if and where to hide an extra key outside of your home. Intruders will more than likely check under your doormat or above your door frame. A better place to keep your key is inside your outside dog’s collar.

Buy fire-resistant building materials. This will make your home more safe, especially if you are in a dry climate that has many power lines. It’s best to prevent a fire before it starts.

Get advice from your friends before selecting a provider for home security. Most will be willing to share their likes, loves and loathes, especially as they realize how important it is to you. Making a great choice is important, so this advice will come in handy.

If you have a garage, increase your home security by using it to house your car, rather than just for storage. You will not have to worry about thieves taking your car if it is inside your garage. Hiding your car from plain view will also keep potential intruders from tracking when you are home and when you aren’t.

Do not forget to secure the garage attached to your home. Lots of folks are concerned about burglars gaining access to the garage and then the home, but this can be addressed. However, you can use a C-clamp to help keep the door secure.

Switch your locks. There are many different people who might have keys from your past, and removing the potential of them accessing your home can be a very good idea. It is not expensive and you can do it in less than a day.

You should not be shy. Be friendly with people that live in the neighborhood. Watch out for their homes, and ask them to do the same for you. Listen to gossip also. It is often a good way to find out about security issues, such as strangers in the neighborhood.

Get creative and hide valuables inside your walls. You do not have to damage your walls to keep your valuables safe. You can find pre-cut areas in your walls that can be used. For example, you might remove the cover of an electrical outlet, disconnect the wires, and use the space to hide small valuables.

Those living in rural areas often don’t worry as much about intruders compared to city dwellers. On a different note, some people believe homeowners in more rural areas are more likely to experience robberies because of the lack of nearby neighbors. Others hold that burglars are not as likely to target rural areas.

If you are throwing away the box an expensive item came in, wait until trash day to put the box out. These boxes sitting outside your home serve as a flag for thieves to target your home.

Hide the wires of your home security system. Intruders can disable a system if they see the wires. Do not make things simple for a burglar, but rather bury all wires or hide them in the wall. This helps keep you and your family safe.

Be sure to get a home security service that will inspect your home and tailor a home security system just for you. Everyone has specific wants and needs when it comes to securing their home, family and belongings. Doing this helps you get the best security you can get from the company, helping you to relax.

Your door frame should be replaced if the wood around it is rotting. Rotten wood is easily removed and can give an intruder a way into your home. Replace wood that is starting to rot with fresh new wood to keep your home as safe as possible.

Be sure and keep the outside of your house well lit. Criminals love darkness to help mask their crimes. Install some outside lights so you can see everything outside. This includes doorways, windows, and your garage.

When a security company wants in your home ask for an ID and see if they’re in uniform. It is very common for thieves to pretend to be company reps in order to get into your home. This represents a danger to your possessions and your family. Be cautious to stay safe.

Before looking at home security systems, consider your personal security risks and safety needs. While these systems are great and can help protect your family, they are not necessary for everyone. In some areas, a class on self defense or a guard dog might be more suitable, yet in others, an advanced home security system will fit the bill. Understanding your needs will help you make a good purchase decision.

Request that prospective security firms design a system specifically for your home. Each situation is different. When you don’t want to compromise in any way on the safety and security of your home, a custom-built system is usually the way to go.

If you get home and see the door is slightly open, don’t go inside by yourself to investigate. This can be quite dangerous because the burglar may still be on your property. The best thing to do is call the police and wait for them to arrive before doing anything else.

If you come to your home and discover that your door has been left open, avoid investigating by yourself. It can be dangerous to walk in on an intruder. Your best bet is to call the cops and wait until they arrive before you do anything else.

A smart way to prevent burglars from entering the garage is to keep them from seeing what is inside. Frost your windows so people cannot look inside your home. Don’t leave your front door unlocked or standing open when you are working in the garage or yard.

Think about having a wireless security system for the home installed. Systems that are wired are cheaper, but they need unattractive wiring inside your home and may malfunction when you have a power outage. Wireless systems are much more simple to install and upkeep, and the power inside your home will not affect them.

You’re ready to get started if you have been paying attention so far. Remember that you’re dealing with nothing less than the safety of your home and your family; there’s no such thing as being too well-informed for these decisions. Use the information in this article to make the best decision possible.

Invest in a high quality paper shredder. Unshredded documents can offer up a wealth of valuable personal information to thieves, including enough of your schedule to allow them to pinpoint the best time for a burglary. Rip paper into tiny pieces if you can’t afford to purchase a paper shredder.