Home security might appear to be a difficult feat for many homeowners. However, this process can actually be done very easily and cheaply. You can find out how to go about it much cheaper and perhaps much better after reading this article.

Be smart about where you decide to hide spare keys. Above doors or under doormats are much too common to hide them and potential criminals will check them first. Try hiding your key somewhere more unique, like your outside dog’s collar.

Be sure your home always looks occupied. Purchase timers for electronics, lights, radios and TVs so that they will turn on and off at varied intervals. This way, it will appear that you are at home. This is an excellent technique that helps avoid robberies while keeping the property safe.

Buy fire resistant roofing, flooring and ceiling materials. This helps protect your home when you dwell in a more dry climate. Fire is such a destructive force that it makes excellent sense to reduce fire hazards in your home whenever possible.

Ask friend for any advice they have prior to purchasing a security system or service. Most will be willing to share their likes, loves and loathes, especially as they realize how important it is to you. Make broad inquiries so that you are able to make a well-informed decision.

Why not give your trusted dog the job of holding onto your spare key? This is a great idea if your dog is outside all the time, or they can get out through a doggy door. You can purchase a special collar that will hold your spare key, so when you forget your keys your dog can let you in.

Don’t let any person you don’t completely know into your house. Even if the person has a compelling story, needs help or has something to sell, they should not be given access. Some people will knock on your door simply to see whether you have a security system.

Don’t allow a complete stranger to come in your home. Criminals find ways to get people to open doors so they can commit crimes. Make sure everyone in your house knows not to open the door unless they know the person standing outside.

Buy a safe. This is vital, as you want to safeguard your valuable items in case of home burglary. Hide your safe in a place that is hard to get to, like a basement closet or an attic.

If your garage is attached to your home, always keep it secure. Lots of folks are concerned about burglars gaining access to the garage and then the home, but this can be addressed. Get a C-clamp to secure your garage door if it is mounted on a track.

Any program to improve the security of your home should begin with complete replacement of your door locks. Whether you just bought your home or someone just moved out that you were living with, this is an important step to any new situation. It shouldn’t cost too much, and the process can be completed very quickly.

Carefully consider where you hide your outside spare key. Under the doormat or above the door frame are all too common spaces that will be checked first by potential intruders. For a better solution, try tucking your spare key into your dog’s collar, provided you have an outside dog.

Be sure to secure the skylights to your home. Though skylights bring light into your home and look nice, it is also a very common way for burglars to get into your home. Make sure your skylights have reliable, heavy duty hardware in place.

You can hide things in your walls. You can hide small, valuable items inside the walls of your home. You can use phone jacks or electric outlets as hiding spots. Installing a false unused plate is very easy to do if your home doesn’t have one.

Turn off ringers on land line phones while you are on vacation. A constantly ringing phone can signal to a burglar that the house is vacant, making it an easy target for their criminal activities.

Prior to allowing access to anyone, make sure you are shown proper identification. You should do a background check as well to find out their criminal history. It is impossible to know if the newly hired maid or one time repairman might be a crook unless you check them out. Providing them with your key might be the biggest mistake you’ve ever made.

Motion Detectors

The police department in your area may offer a home protection program. There are many that offer programs that include items, such as home inspection, how to use engraving tools to mark code numbers to identify valuables if yours are stolen, and protective measures advice. Ask your police department to see if these types of programs are available.

If you want to make your house even more secure, a cheap way to do that is to buy outside lights with motion detectors. These lights illuminate your home during the night. As an added bonus, they are affordable and quite efficient. If you position motion detectors properly, it is very hard for someone to sneak onto the property.

Having light on in your home at night will scare crooks away. They wish to avoid detection. Ample lighting makes it difficult for would-be burglars to approach undetected, and this turns your home into a less attractive target. This makes it a good idea to keep the lights on.

Regardless of the quality of your home security system, you need to check it annually. 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. If you cannot see a problem, you might not know one exists.

If you get home and your door is open, do not enter ti investigate. This is a delicate situation as the burglar might still be in your home. Instead, you should call 911 and wait in a safe location for the police to arrive.

A great way to deter criminals from getting into the garage is to make sure nobody sees inside it. Be sure and shade your windows with window frosting, something that you can purchase at any hardware store, so as to keep people from looking in your house. Don’t leave your front door unlocked or standing open when you are working in the garage or yard.

Go with your gut when you invite a home security company representative into your house. This is very true when you feel uneasy about the person installing the system. If you don’t feel comfortable, go with someone else. The purpose of using the company is to calm your uneasiness, not worsen it.

Don’t leave empty boxes for big-ticket purchases outside on your curb. A burglar may see the box and decide to target you as a result. After removing the contents from these boxes, tear or cut them up.

Find out about the various lengths of contracts your chosen home security company has on offer. Compare the pros and cons of different options. A long term contract should have a lower monthly rate but it also requires you to commit for a long period of time. Short contracts leave you with freedom, but also a larger bill.

Don’t give outside people the ability to see into your home. You might enjoy large windows so you can see out, but just remember that makes it easier for those burglars to see inside your home as well. Cover all street-facing windows.

With these tips in mind, you’re ready to be more secure. You can get right to work on improving your home’s security. Soon, the home will feel safer every time of day. You should now be able to sit back and relax.