Home security is a huge priority for women living by themselves or single mothers not readily trained and able to defend themselves physically. You can do things to help eliminate your fears. Review the advice in this piece on home security.

Place the spare key that you make on your dog. In order to make this work, your dog either needs to stay outside or have access to a pet door. Latch the key on his collar and voila–you have a spare key available!

Look for ways to make your home seem occupied. Keep your radio, TV and lights on timers. This gives off the appearance that someone is home. This should help you make your home safer and not attract the attention of potential intruders.

Do you allow your dog to stay in your yard while you are away? If so, the dog can be a terrific spot to keep a spare key. Find a place to securely fasten the key to your pet’s collar where it’s not visible. Especially if pets don’t like strangers, this can be a useful way for having easy access to your house.

Provide the house key to your professional house cleaner, but only if you fully trust them. Only select service people who are totally trustworthy. It is best to do a reference check on them. If it is a known company, check with your local BBB.

Make sure that you hide your spare key in a good spot. Common places to hide a spare key are above your door frame or underneath your doormat. Therefore, thieves are more likely to check these places out first. You should hide it in your dog’s collar.

Fire-resistant building materials are the way to go, both inside and outside the home. Your home will get added protection, especially if your environment is dry and has power lines. Fire prevention is paramount.

Secure your attached garage. Often people are concerned that burglars can enter the home via the attached garage . Happily, there is a solution to this problem. Simply attach a C-clamp near the roller on the door track.

Don’t use social media to announce that you will be gone for an extended period of time. If you do, burglars will know you’re not home and strike.

Try installing motion-sensor lights. These lights will come on if someone walks near your home. You will receive advance warning of any potential issues, and a would-be intruder will probably be scared off. Remember that the bulbs need to be changed so that the lights keep working.

You should not let anyone inside your home. This includes a salesperson or people looking for help. Some people want to enter your home just to see if there is a security system in place. They may be scoping the place to come back when you’re gone.

Whenever you are selecting a home security company, make sure you go with your gut feelings. This is especially true if you are uneasy with those who are installing the actual system. Don’t hesitate asking for another technician or get another company. Do some background research on the company you select, and look for people who make you feel safe.

Be outgoing. Converse with those living in your area. Keep your eye on their houses, and ask for help to keep yours safe too. Pay attention to gossip as well. You may stumble across valuable security information, like if someone has noticed a stranger lurking around the neighborhood.

You can hide your valuable items inside your walls. You don’t have to cut out pieces of the wall to do this. Take a closer look at your walls and note just how many access points there are already. Perhaps you can use an old electricity socket as a place to hide your valuables.

Install lights that use a motion-sensor. When a person walks by your home too closely, these lights will go on. They help notify you of any movement around your house and deter burglars too. Make sure you keep fresh light bulbs in your motion activated lights so that they will work correctly.

Lock your home when you leave, even if you don’t think you will be away for long. Surprisingly, lots of burglaries occur because the burglar was able to simply walk in without having to actually break in. A burglar can steal a lot of expensive stuff in a short amount of time.

It is important that you do not put expensive valuables in plain sight. Large front windows are great, but they also allow others to peer into your home. If you’ve got street facing windows, be sure and keep them covered.

When you choose an alarm system, pick one that offers protection that goes beyond the doors. All of your windows are possible entry points for a thief too. If you have an alarm attached to each of your windows and doors, you can keep track of all the entry points for your home. This is a way to make sure your family will be safe.

Even if you’re not going to be gone long, keep your home locked. A lot of times, burglaries happen due to carelessness. It doesn’t take long for a thief to steal thousands of dollars worth of stuff.

If someone from the security company comes to your home, ask to see their ID before allowing them in. Thieves may say they are from a certain company to get into your home. This can put your family and possessions in danger. You want to use caution to prevent danger.

If you buy expensive electronics or appliances, throw the packages away the day that your trash pickup occurs. Having these boxes nearby can tell robbers what kind of merchandise you’ve got in your house.

If you hire a security company, read any fine print. There may be some hidden fees, or a need to buy more equipment later. You should avoid such expenses if you can, so make yourself aware.

Replace rotten wood near door frames. It is simple for a robber to pry away rotting wood and enter your home. Replace it as soon as possible.

Don’t limit security to the inside of your home; the outside needs attention too. Do not obstruct doors and windows with plants or furniture. If these things can be seen by the naked eye, they won’t offer hiding places to potential criminals. Put landscaping farther away from the house for greater safety.

When you hire a security firm, be certain to review all contracts carefully. There may be hidden costs in the event you wish to cancel before the end of the contract. This may also be true if you need more or different equipment in the future. Avoid nasty charges or fees regarding early termination, contract expiration and additional features or equipment.

Get your home security system custom built for your needs. Different people require different plans. A good company will tailor your security plan to the needs of you and your family.

Break down the boxes from your new TV or computer rather than leaving them on the side of the road. When burglars see these boxes, they will know you have them inside your home, making it more likely for them to break in. Break down the empty boxes whenever possible.

Maintain the exterior areas in your house so they are well lit. Burglars seek darkness so that they can stay hidden. You should put a light on any area where a person could break in. All doors, porches, garages and windows should be well lit.

Can someone standing in the middle of the street see clearly your house numbers? It is important for the authorities to find your address in the event of an emergency. Luckily, this is a quick and inexpensive fix if you notice that there is a problem.

You should not enter your home if you find the door ajar. This is a delicate situation as the burglar might still be in your home. Your best bet is to call the cops and wait until they arrive before you do anything else.

Your precious pooch is one of your best home security weapons. Dogs are quite protective of their masters and home, and they can display quite a bark if someone comes near the house. You will get good results even if you do not have a large or vicious dog. Even tiny dogs that make a ton of noise will deter a potential crime.

If you buy a new, expensive electronic, such as a television or computer, do not leave the empty boxes on your curb. These boxes are a signal to burglars that you have something worth stealing. When you empty the boxes, cut them up and throw them away so that burglars do not see them.

Ask the company if they offer systems for lease and sale. It may be more expensive to buy equipment at the outset; however, you may save money in the long run if you are free from monthly payments. On the other hand, while leasing is more expensive overall, it can get you a better system if you don’t have funds available immediately. Check out both options to discover the best one for you. The option that’s best for one person may not be best for another.

Speak with your security company about contract lengths and any options available. There are of course pros and cons for each contract. A longer contract might give you a lower monthly bill, but you could be stuck with those monthly costs if you sell your home or decide to discontinue services. Shorter contracts allow your greater freedom, however they usually cost more each month.

Making your home a safe place to be does not necessarily require lots of money or inconvenience. There are many cheap products or even habits you can adopt to protect yourself. Keep these tips in mind to feel safer in your home.

Ask whether companies offer options to lease or buy your security equipment. You’ll spend less money in the long-run if you buy the equipment outright. On the other hand, while leasing is more expensive overall, it can get you a better system if you don’t have funds available immediately. Explore both options to see which works best for you.