Home security is a very important topic to all, but it is something that people do not truly understand. The best way to know how to truly protect your home and its contents is to study the subject as comprehensively as you can. Read this article to learn excellent tips on ensuring your home’s safety.

Consider using your dog as a place to store your spare key. This works with a dog that stays outside or a dog with a pet door. You can attach a copy of your key to the dog’s collar, so when you need that spare, you’ve got one handy!

Have your home always look occupied. Invest in timers to automatically turn on and off any electronics at various times. This will give the appearance that someone is at your house at all times. This is just one of the many precautions you can take to secure your home.

Buy a safe. This is important, since you don’t want your valuables exposed to a potential intruder. Hide your safe in a hard to find place like the basement or attic.

Change all of your locks when you move in. You don’t know the exact number of copies of that key the previous owners have or have handed out. Contact a locksmith to make sure that only you have access to your home. You should also do this if your keys ever get lost.

When you set out to purchase home security equipment, remember to comparison shop. Every company offers different pricing. Make sure you get quotes from at least three companies before you decide on which one you think is the best option.

Buy a safe to contain everything of great value. This is very important, as you do not want your gold, diamonds and personal items exposed if someone were to break into your house. Hide that safe in a difficult-to-reach place like in a closet inside your basement or an attic.

Speak with the police in your town regarding the home security programs they have. Several in various jurisdictions have programs which entail providing a home inspection, what protective measures will help your home and even how to engrave valuable items to make them easier to recover. A quick call to the non-emergency number at the police station in your town will tell you all you need to know.

If you’ve got a garage, make sure to use it for your car rather than extra storage space. Protect your car from vandals by keeping it in the garage. Hiding it will help to deter people from tracking the times you aren’t there.

Change your locks if someone you don’t trust moves out of your home. Maybe you’ve had a roommate leave or a bitter ex-lover, so changing the locks can keep you safer. It is inexpensive, and most locksmiths will be available for next day appointments.

Do not place your spare keys under your mat or even in plant boxes. While it may seem like a convenient way to give you access to your home, intruders are aware of this practice. Burglars are well aware of such hiding places. Rather, give your key to a neighbor you find trustworthy.

When selecting a home alarm system, choose one that protects many areas of your home, not just the doors. Your windows are also points of entry for burglars. Be sure your alarm is secured to them all and that monitoring is in place for every point of entry. This will make your family safer.

Keep your home security system’s wires under cover. A burglar will simply cut the wires if he can see them. Do not make entry into your home easy. Make sure the wires are not exposed either inside or outside your home. This can make you safer.

When moving into your new house, change every lock. You don’t really know the people you purchased the house from or all the folks they shared keys with, so don’t place too much trust in the old locks. Besides, other tenants or owners might have copies of the key if the previous owners did not change the locks.

Are you aware of the value contained in your home’s wiring? Many people do not realize this until a crook steals it off of their home. Wiring can be removed from the outside of a home in a heartbeat. To protect this expensive asset, hide your wires or make them hard to get to.

Make sure all the wood around your doors is in great shape. Home invaders interested are able to pry off any rotted wood to get inside. Replace wood that is starting to rot with fresh new wood to keep your home as safe as possible.

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. These lights will keep your property well lit and give you a good idea of who approaches your home. If strategically placed, motion detectors ensure that it’s difficult for intruders to break into your home sight unseen.

Before allowing any security company reps to come into your home, make sure they have on a uniform and they have valid ID. Thieves may say they are from a certain company to get into your home. Don’t allow this to happen, as it is a direct threat to your house and its contents. Act cautiously in order to stay away from potential dangers.

When you are trying to hire a home security contractor, read all the small print on your contract before signing it. There may be hidden costs involved that you were not aware of. Try avoiding these fees when you can so that you know about them.

When you hire a type of home security company, read the contract’s fine print before signing. You need to find out about hidden costs, such as cancellation fees in case you want to cancel your contract before it expires. You can easily avoid these fees if you do your research.

Use the Internet to find a reliable home security company. Go through different websites and investigate testimonials about different companies and packages. From there, you can make appointments with your top three selections to compare final package pricing and specific details about plans and monitoring.

Maintain the exterior areas in your house so they are well lit. Burglars like using darkness to hide. Make sure to have lights anywhere an intruder might enter. This means by the garage, in the doorways, around windows and much more.

Landscape your home with safety in mind. All doors and windows must be unobstructed by shrubs, trees, fences, or plants. If criminals know you can see them, they are less likely to break in. Plan your home with safety in mind.

A wireless security system could be a good option. Wired systems could cost less, but they can also require intrusive electrical work inside your house and can fail when the power goes out. Wireless systems are easier to install and maintain, and they do not rely on the power in your home to work correctly.

Before signing up for home security, find out how long they’ve been in business. A reliable home security company is one that has a long history in the community and can offer references from satisfied customers. Being in the hands of a good company helps you have peace about your decision.

If a friend picks up your mail while you’re away, have them check for fliers on your door. This is a way people who are casing out your house can tell whether you are home or not. If the flier is not taken down, the burglar assumes the homeowner is not in town.

You should think about your own safety when comparing different home security options. Although these systems can protect you and your family, not everybody needs them. Some neighborhoods feel more safe than others, but a good security system definitely makes you feel more safe. Before you sink a lot of money into your home’s security, make sure that you’re properly addressing your particular risks.

If you purchase a new, pricey electronic like a TV or computer, don’t leave the empty box near your curb. If the burglars see the empty boxes, then they will realize you have the items in your home. As a result, they’ll be more likely to break in so they can steal it. Cut the boxes and wait until the garbage truck comes to put them outside.

Everyone wants the peace of mind that comes from knowing that their home and belongings are secure. But, some people do not understand how to secure their homes and personal property. Consider the information that has been given to you as a resource for making sure your home is safe.

If you want to keep certain rooms in your home private, you don’t need to lock every door with a key. Get key-less locks that need a code. They are fairly simple to install, or if you don’t feel comfortable doing so yourself, you can ask your home security company about it.