Home security is something everyone needs but few people have an efficient plan. Knowing how to secure your home starts with a good education on the topic. Read the below article to learn how to create the best home-security plan.

Use your dog as the protector of your spare key. This can be done if your dog can come outside. Store a spare key within your dogs collar so you always have access to your home.

If you need to leave a key for a maid service, make sure that that whoever cleans your house is professional and trustworthy. When giving your house cleaner the key to your home, you need to be sure that they are reputable and honest. One way to do this is to check their references. If they work through a larger firm, you can check up on the company with your local Better Business Bureau.

Comparison shopping is essential when seeking a security system for the home. Some companies offer comparable levels of protection that can be priced very differently. Get three quotes or more before making a choice.

Home security systems offer other triggering features besides having an alarm sound. You can have your system alert you of any movement in certain areas of your home. This is great for parents that have small children so that they know when their kids open or close doors.

You should invest in fire-resistant roofing, flooring and ceiling. This will add an extra protection layer for your house, particularly if you live near power lines or in a dry location. Fire prevention should be taken seriously because it can stop a major disaster from happening.

Look at the prices for all of the security systems that you are interested in. Some companies offer comparable levels of protection that can be priced very differently. Get quotes from no less than three companies before choosing the best one.

Talk to people you know for referrals when choosing home security systems. You can benefit from the experience of others that have gone before you by paying attention to their recommendations and warnings. Make broad inquiries so that you are able to make a well-informed decision.

Buy ceiling, roofing and flooring which is resistant to fire. This ensures your home won’t be a tinderbox. Fire prevention should be taken seriously because it can stop a major disaster from happening.

If you’re going on a trip for an extended period of time, switch the ringer off on all home phones. A home phone that rings and rings is a good way for a potential thief to know if anyone is home.

Your friends may have some great advice for choosing the right company. They probably have both positive and negative things to tell you, and those comments will help you make your own decision. Ask a number of people to get a several different opinions.

Annual check-ups are important for alarm systems. Ask someone from your security company to come over and have a look. A number of factors can cause problems with your security system, including wild animals and mother nature. You might be unaware of problems that arise in some cases.

Never open the door for a stranger. Criminals can be endlessly inventive when it comes to generating a convincing story to force their way into your home. No matter how sympathetic the story, remember that it could all be a put-on. Establish a rule where you and your family only open the door for expected visitors.

It’s a good idea to have motion sensor lights installed. The lights will be triggered when someone gets too close to the house. These lights will not only let you know when someone gets too close, they will also stop potential burglars from breaking in. After all, burglars don’t want anyone to know they are there. Get in the habit of checking and replacing the bulbs as necessary to ensure the lights remain effective.

You should clean your yard of vegetation and dead wood. When summer heats up, such debris can catch fire. Clear up your yard so it looks good and is safe.

Your home may be equipped with skylights, and if so you must not neglect them in your security planning. Skylights are a wonderful addition to any home, but they also tend to be weak spots that intruders take advantage of. Make sure your skylights have reliable, heavy duty hardware in place.

Don’t be shy. Talk to your neighbors and those on your block. Watch their homes for suspicious activity and get their word that they will do the same thing for you. You never want to ignore gossip. You might actually learn a thing or two concerning people that have been hanging around.

You never want people to be able to see your valuables from outside of your home. Having large windows in front of your home may be a great way to see what is happening outside, but it can also give crooks a view inside your home. Keep your windows covered and your belongings private.

Even if you only plan to be gone for a very short time, lock your house. Many burglaries happen because the intruders can just walk right inside. Once a thief is inside, he can steal a lot of valuables in a short amount of time.

Even if you’re not going to be gone long, keep your home locked. 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 a lot of valuable stuff in mere minutes.

You should change all the locks if you just bought or rented a new home. While the person that previously had the home may seem okay, you don’t know who they actually are. Remember that different families might have dwelt there before this person.

If you are throwing away the box an expensive item came in, wait until trash day to put the box out. Empty boxes might draw the attention of robbers and let everyone know you own new and expensive goods.

You can keep intruders away by always having your house lit up. Thieves don’t want to be visible. If you have your home lit up, then you have made it hard for burglars to hide and rob your home. That’s why it’s a good idea to light your home well for optimum safety.

Do you know how valuable the wires within your home are? Many people do not realize this until a crook steals it off of their home. Copper wiring can easily be removed. Hide your wiring for optimum security.

Consider a wireless home security system. While wireless systems are often cheap, the cost of installation can be sky high. A wireless system, on the other hand, requires less maintenance and is simpler to install.

Before allowing someone into your house, be sure to carefully check their references. It wouldn’t hurt to also perform a background check. There is no way of knowing whether or not service people are honest, so you should not give them keys to your home.

Your pup is a great crime deterrent. Usually, dogs protect their homes and when they sense something is wrong, they bark. There is no need for a mean, big dog either. Small dogs even scare off intruders as they don’t like anything to make noise when breaking into a home.

You need to make sure you’re making use of the Internet when looking at different home security companies. Look at many websites and read customer reviews about the various services. Then you can schedule an appointment for a home visit to discuss which package is best for you and what it will cost.

Inquire about different choices for contract lengths available from the home security provider. Each will have its own pros and some cons, too. Long contracts are cheaper every month, but can outlast your stay in the home. Shorter contracts mean more freedom along with higher costs.

Have your home security company inspect your home and suggest safety improvements. Each homeowner has different priorities in terms of home security. You’ll get the best protection by using a company that can tailor a plan to your requirements.

Do not make a number-code password your birthday or other obvious number. Personal information, such as a birthday can be acquired on the Internet. If you use this as your password, you may make it easy for a burglar to rob you. You should choose a number no one else will be able to guess and change it regularly.

Consider your personal needs for safety and your security risks prior to looking for security systems. While alarm systems are great, they aren’t necessary for every family. It may be better for you to take a self-defense class or buy a dog. The neighborhood you live in makes a difference. Understand completely the risks and rewards in order to make an informed purchase decision.

If the living room window in your home is facing the street, you must keep the curtains closed. You would not want to tempt outsiders to look through your window. Someone who can peer into your home may decide that your valuables are ripe for the taking. Keep your valuables out of sight and you’ll make yourself less of a target for crime.

Are you able to see the numbers on your house from your street? During an emergency crisis, smaller numbers prevent emergency personnel from finding your home quickly. Luckily, this is a quick and inexpensive fix if you notice that there is a problem.

Securing the home is something everyone wants to learn to do, but many do not know where to start. Studying the subject needs to be a top priority for any person that worries about their family’s safety and their items’ safety. The above article has hopefully given you a start to learning about home security.

If you have rooms that are off limits to kids and company, the following is a great solution. Code or fingerprint enabled keyless entry locks are a great solution. 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.