Do security systems baffle you? Are you unsure of where to begin? Never fear; picking up a little basic knowledge will make you feel much more confident about making home security choices. The following tips can help.

When you decide to purchase a home alarm system, make sure you comparison shop. Some companies offer comparable levels of protection that can be priced very differently. Ensure you talk to a minimum of three companies to obtain quotes before deciding the one that you believe is best for you.

Make sure your home appears occupied. Have electronics and lights with timers and set them to go off at various times. This makes it appear that someone is home. This is an excellent method for avoiding burglary and keeping your home secure.

When placing your spare key outside for emergencies, give careful consideration to where you put it. Under the doormat or above the door frame are all too common spaces that will be checked first by potential intruders. One good place to hide a spare key is in the collar of a dog that does not take kindly to strangers.

Security Systems

You should talk to your friends and family about advice concerning certain home security companies. Others have likely had both good and bad experiences that they can share with you that can then save you a lot of stress and time. Ask a number of people to get a several different opinions.

Home security systems offer additional features besides loud alarms during a break-in. Most security systems can facilitate alarm sounds anyone enters. This can be valuable to parents with small children as they are made aware their child has opened or closed a door.

Don’t let strangers into your home. Many people are devising many different schemes to get into homes and burglarize them. You should only open the door to people you were expecting.

Keep your jewelry, vital documents and other expensive items in a safe. This is important, since you don’t want your valuables exposed to a potential intruder. The safe should be kept hidden in a basement or attic.

Check with the police department in your town for home security tips and advice. Many programs include how to use some engraving tools to create code numbers for identifying valuables that are stolen, home inspection, and advice on protective measures. Call them up to find out more.

You should never give details about your vacations and other plans on social networks. Though trips are always fun to talk about, you may be doing little more than telling burglars the best times to visit your house.

When it comes to securing your home, start by changing your locks. Anyone from an old roommate to a former tenant could have access to your home if you leave the old locks in place. It is inexpensive, and most locksmiths will be available for next day appointments.

Extended Period

Be sure to secure the skylights to your home. Intruders could use skylights to enter your home. Make sure that you use safety hardware when the skylights are installed and maintained.

If you will be vacationing for an extended period of time, turn off the ringer on all the phones in your house. When burglars hear phones ringing for an extended period of time in a home, they know that there is no one there to answer.

No matter how soon you plan to return home, you should lock your doors. Break-ins are often the result of unlocked windows and doors. It doesn’t take long for a thief to steal thousands of dollars worth of stuff.

It is always best to not let people in that just show up out of the blue. This includes a salesperson or people looking for help. Some people will simply knock on your door to see whether or not there is a security system installed, and if there isn’t, they may target you later when you’re away.

It is important that your alarm system wiring is not exposed anywhere. If the wires are exposed, an intruder can bypass the system by cutting its wires. Don’t make it easier for them, so have wires hidden in the house’s walls or buried. That will make you safer.

Don’t allow a complete stranger to come in your home. Nowadays, people invent many stories of why they should come in. For instance, they may say they need to call a mechanic or the police. However, their true intent is to rob you. Make it a habit to only open your home’s door to people you were expecting.

When moving into a house, ensure that each lock has been replaced. Though you may not suspect that the seller is up to something, you still need to be careful. Keep in mind that there may have been residents prior to that person too.

Keep your car in your garage if you have one. This will help to keep your vehicle safe. This can also keep people from knowing your schedule.

The wiring on your house is valuable to burglars. People don’t realize this until it is stolen. Copper, found in many wires, can be removed in little time, and is worth quite a bit of money. Keep your wiring hidden or inaccessible to potential burglars.

The walls are a perfect hiding place. Hide valuables inside of your walls. Just take advantage of the phone jack, electrical outlet or unused switch plate. You put in a fake plate if there aren’t any unused in your home.

It is important to always have fresh batteries and flashlights handy around the house. If the power goes out, you will be able to see everything. This can come in handy if someone has cut your power and is attempting to break in.

Don’t ever place your spare key under your mat or next you a plant box. These seem like great places for you when you misplace your key. Potential burglars know the usual hiding places. Rather, give your key to a neighbor you find trustworthy.

Before allowing any security company reps to come into your home, make sure they have on a uniform and they have valid ID. They might not be who you think they are. This is dangerous for your family and your possessions. Be very careful with who you let into your home.

You can add a great deal of security to your home by installing a system of motion activated exterior lighting. These lights not only give off light at night, but can also offer security around your home. They also help to keep intruders away, because an intruder does not want to come close to your property if they know they might be spotted.

Check someone’s references carefully before letting them come into your home. A background check which includes any criminal history is warranted. You can’t always be sure that maids, service workers or contractors are honest, and therefore giving out keys can be a big error.

When you landscape your house, make it safe. All of your windows and doors should be unobstructed by plants, shrubs, trees or fences. This makes it where people can’t hide in different nooks and crevices. If you want to have a garden around your home, keep trees and shrubs away from your house.

You should find out how many years of experience your home security service has. It doesn’t take long for a quality company to prove itself in the security business, and you should look for a track record of satisfied customers and successful work. You can feel confident when you choose a well established, reputable home security company.

If you get home and your door is open, do not enter ti investigate. The thief might still be inside, and you don’t have any idea whether or not they are armed. Instead, call 911 and report a possible break-in.

Arrange for someone to pick up your mail and remove any fliers from your door if you are out of town. Burglars often put fliers on the door to see if the owner removes them. If the flier is not moved, they know that the occupant is not around or on vacation.

Wireless alarm systems are a great investment. A wired system might cost less, but they can require extensive rewiring work and may be rendered useless if the power fails. Wireless options are easy to install, need less maintenance and are not dependent on the home’s power source.

Inquire whether a security company offers variable contract lengths. There are likely pros and cons to each. A long contract may lock you in even if you choose to sell the house or want to stop the services, but it can result in a lower bill every month. While a short contract provides you with extra freedom, it can cost you more for each month.

A great way to deter criminals from getting into the garage is to make sure nobody sees inside it. Frost your windows with film bought at a hardware store. Also keep your garage door closed whenever possible, especially if you will be stepping away from it for an extended period of time.

You do not want to use spring latch locks. These are very easy to pick by simply using a credit card. A card can be placed between the latch and the door, and this will open it. A deadbolt can be retrofitted to a door with a spring latch lock if you want to make it more secure.

Whenever you purchase some expensive item, don’t place the empty boxes right outside your home. When burglars see these boxes, they will know you have them inside your home, making it more likely for them to break in. After removing the contents from these boxes, tear or cut them up.

Do you turn the lights on and off during the same time period? If so, consider a timer. This helps the lights stay on and continue to switch even when you’re away from your home.

Is your street number on your house visible from the street? In the event of an emergency, police officers may have trouble finding your house if they cannot read your address numbers. Just replace them if you need to.

Having a burglar alarm is really good, but it is only good if the police is alerted when it sets off. Purchase a centrally monitored alarm to reap all the security benefits possible. You cannot depend on your neighbors to call them.

Keep blinds, shades, and curtains closed when you’re not home. If the blinds are up, then the intruders can see directly through your home. If their eyes fall on something they like, they are going to think about breaking in. Close your drapes or blinds while you are asleep, too.

Homes that have sliding glass doors can be more of a security risk. These can become unlocked very easy by burglars. A pipe cut the right length should be wedged in the door if you have no security system. The pressure applied by the pipe provides added security and makes forcing a sliding door open a much less trivial matter.

Do you have a more realistic concept of home security systems? Take the tips and advice you’ve read here with you as you get started devising your plan to bring home security into your family’s home. You will be glad that you did, and it’s time to take care of this very important matter.

It’s good to have interior locks, but they really aren’t effective without exterior locks. Therefore, the best lock is the deadbolt. The ones with inside and outside keys will ensure that a burglar cannot open them.