If home security is a topic of curiosity, you have come to the right place. You should never settle in regards to the safety of your home. You must be in control and you need proper information. Keep reading if you want to explore your options.

Create the illusion that your home is constantly occupied. You can buy timers to have radios, TVs, lights and other electronics go off and on at different times. Potential intruders will stay away from your home if they believe someone is inside. This is an excellent method for avoiding burglary and keeping your home secure.

Your dog can keep your spare house key for you. This is only true if yours in an outdoor dog, or your house is equipped with a doggie door. Store a spare key within your dogs collar so you always have access to your home.

When looking for a system to secure your home, do comparison shopping. You would be surprised to see that the prices are much different for each company, even though it’s for the same type of protection. Try to get two or three quotes before making a decision.

After you buy your new house, get new locks. The person who previously owned the home may have made copies of keys. Speak with a locksmith to get a unique lock for your home. You should also have your locks changed if you lose your keys.

You should invest in fire-resistant roofing, flooring and ceiling. This adds an extra layer of protection to your home, especially if you live in a very dry area with power lines. Home security also includes taking steps to prevent a fire from completely destroying your home.

When you decide to purchase a home alarm system, make sure you 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.

Don’t let strangers enter your house. Even if their story is compelling, they need assistance or want to sell you something. Some people just want to know if there is a security system so they can plan on coming back later or not.

If you’re going on a trip for an extended period of time, switch the ringer off on all home phones. If the phone rings when you are away, burglars will know there’s nobody home, making the house vulnerable to a break-in when you are out.

Store your car in the garage if you have it. Having the car in the garage will prevent it from getting broken into or stolen. Hiding your car away from plain view is a good way to keep intruders from knowing when you are at home or not.

Do not open your door for strangers. People try many ways to convince others to open up their doors so that they can commit burglary or worse. Only open the door for people you are expecting.

Put motion-sensor lights into your home. They turn on only if someone is nearby. Motion-sensitive lights will alert you to movement and deter people who want to break into your home. Just remember to change out the bulbs every so often so the lights remain in working order.

In summer, take care to trim back branches and plants near the house. This can be a fire hazard, especially if you live in an area with high heat. Clear up your yard so it looks good and is safe.

Always lock your home, regardless of how short your trip out is. It may be a little surprising, but most burglaries and break-ins happen because the intruder just walks right through an open door. Thieves can steal thousands worth of your belongings very quickly.

An extremely important tactic for keeping your home safe is changing out the locks. It might be that you have an angry ex-roommate or a bitter ex-partner, so changed locks will boost your security. This is a very easy process that you can complete within a day.

Do not choose a home alarm system that monitors only your doors. Windows are all potential entry points for burglars. Make sure the alarm is attached to all of them, and that monitoring is offered for all possible entry points. This will help to keep your family safe.

Walls are great for hiding things. If you have small valuables you want to protect, consider hiding them inside your walls. Just use an unwired electric plug, light switch or phone box. If you have no unused plates, you can put in a fake one.

Always ask for references before letting a contractor or a maid in your home. A background check may also be a good idea. You need to be very careful with the contractors, repairmen or maids you trust with being alone in your home.

Keep your home security system’s wires under cover. You do not want the wires exposed for easy manipulation. Don’t make it easy for an intruder, have the wires buried or hidden within the home’s walls. This way, you will be safer.

When you consider a security company, be certain you read the details and fine print of the contract you’re about to sign. There are early termination fees, and there may be fees for extra equipment procured in the future. Be aware of these particular fees so you can steer clear of them.

If you are moving in your new home, ensure all the old locks are replaced. The previous owner may be perfectly respectable, but you can’t know that for sure. Besides, other tenants or owners might have copies of the key if the previous owners did not change the locks.

Having your home lit up and bright at night is a great deterrent to crooks. They want to avoid being seen. By minimizing dark and shady areas, you are taking away a potential burglar’s hiding spots. If you want to stay secure, keep your house brightly lit.

Anytime a security installer comes to the house, make sure they display proper identification. Intruders could disguise themselves to inspect your home. This could be quite dangerous. Proceed with caution.

You need to think about what you need as far as home security before you look at different systems. Although automated electronic systems are powerful, they’re not necessarily the cost-effective solution for every home. In some situations, having a good dog and/or learning some self defense may be all that you really need to feel safe. Be sure to assess the risk level you face before making big decisions.

When searching for methods of improving your home’s security, a great, inexpensive method of doing this is purchasing exterior lights with installed motion detectors. During the night hours, these lights help light up the outside of your home, which makes them an excellent addition to your home security strategies. In addition, they are very affordable. When they are positioned correctly, they make it pretty much impossible for intruders to get to your house unnoticed.

Put a surveillance system in your home. Video cameras are an excellent way to keep your home safe. Visible cameras deter many intruders, but if they disable the cameras that they can see, your hidden camera can record the action. Nowadays, you can track your surveillance on your own cell phone.

Ask about the history of any home security company you are considering. A company that has been in business for several years has shown that they can sustain in this industry and proven they provide reliable services that people recommend. When you know that you’re dealing with a company of some repute, you can feel more at ease making that decision.

Keeping a dog provides a great way to boost your home’s defense. Dogs become extremely protective of their families and bark when uneasy. A dog with a vicious attitude and large size isn’t necessary. Any dog who barks, small or large, can scare off a burglar.

It’s a good idea to install a surveillance system in your home. Both hidden and visible video cameras can help keep your home safe. Visible cameras have a deterrent effect, and if they are disabled, hidden cameras can capture the events that unfold. Surveillance systems often allow you to access videos through your cell phone, too.

Ask your security company about the lengths of contract they offer. Each has its advantages and disadvantages. Longer contracts may offer more affordable monthly payments; however, it may be hard to cancel that contract should you decide to change services or sell your house. With a shorter contract, you will have a greater level of flexibility. The downside is you will also have larger monthly bills.

A smart way to prevent burglars from entering the garage is to keep them from seeing what is inside. Frosted windows prevent thieves from looking into your home and are inexpensive. Also, avoid leaving the door open for prolonged periods of time.

If your lights are generally turned off at roughly the same time, consider using a timer. This can simplify your life, but it also makes your home appear lived in if you are away.

If you purchase a new TV or computer, don’t leave empty boxes from your purchases on the curb. Burglars will instantly take notices of these boxes and what used to be in them, making you an easy burglary target. You should cut up the boxes once you empty them.

All doors leading into your home should be made from solid wood or metal. These doors hold really good. A burglar would not be able to kick that door in. You should replace each exterior door in the home before doing the minimal amount, as soon as you can.

Find out more about the different contracts your security company offers. 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 offer greater freedom, but may be more expensive each month.

A sliding glass door is not very safe. These can become unlocked very easy by burglars. If you do not have a security system hooked up to them, cut a length of pipe to fit in the door channel. This will help keep the door tightly closed and make it hard to open.

Talk to your home-security company to see if they provide buy and lease options for your equipment. Purchasing your equipment may cost more in the beginning, but this is a one-time cost which does not recur. Leasing usually proves cheaper at first, but it comes with strings attached through contracts or continuing fees and charges. Investigate each option and determine which makes more sense.

Though it is often good to avoid neighborhood gossips, make sure you are friendly with those in your area. Busybodies may be quick to notice when someone odd is checking out your house. You will even be able to ask your neighbors to keep an eye on your home if you are going on a vacation.

Armed with this information, it should be easier for you to secure your home with the best possible outcome. Installing the best service and system and proper knowledge is necessary. The tips you’ve just received can start making a difference in your family’s safety immediately.

Deadbolts with captive keylocks are the best locks on the market. They include thumb latches that prevent anyone from breaking a window and reaching around to unlock the door. Always leave your key in the door when you are home so you can leave quickly if you have to.