Whether you own your home or you are renting, you want it to be a safe place. You might not be exactly sure what you can do for better home security, but that’s why you’re reading this article! For insight and ideas into home security, keep reading.

Do you keep your dog outdoors when you go out? Your pet might just be the perfect place to stash a spare key to your home. Put the key on the dog’s collar. This is an especially good idea if your dog doesn’t like strangers, and gives you easy access to get in your home.

Be sure your home always looks occupied. There are timers you can use to make electronics turn on and off at random times. This gives off the appearance that someone is home. This is just one of the many precautions you can take to secure your home.

If your home has a lot of valuable items inside, then you need to purchase a safe so that all of these items can be kept in a single location. This is important, since you don’t want your valuables exposed to a potential intruder. Be sure to put your safe in an out of the way place like the basement, attic or under the floorboards.

It is a good idea to replace all the locks on the new home you buy. You never know how many copies of the keys the previous owners made and handed out. Find a good locksmith who can replace the lock and make a few copies of your key. When you lose your keys, have your locks rekeyed.

You should talk to your friends and family about advice concerning certain home security companies. They may have had experiences with certain companies and can lead you in the right direction. By asking around, you will gain information about the pros and cons of a variety of options.

Buy a safe and use it to hold all of the valuables in your home. This will keep your stash of diamonds, gold and other valuable items out of view and inaccessible to burglars. Keep the safe hidden somewhere remote.

You should never open your door to someone you do not know. 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. Be sure that everyone in your home knows not to open the door to strangers and unexpected visitors.

When you’re going away, turn off your phone ringers. A phone which rings forever is a sign to burglars that you’re not there.

Store your car in the garage if you have it. If your car is locked up inside, it cannot be stolen or vandalized. This will also make it more difficult for burglars to track when you away from home.

Never allow a stranger to enter your home. Remember that intruders have a lot of experience with tricking people. Some will come to your door just to determine how secure it is, and they may return later if they think they can easily enter your home.

Switch your locks. Whether you have a roommate who is about to move out, or a relationship that has run its course, it is a good idea change your locks. It is pretty cheap and the job won’t take more than a few hours.

Remove old plants and debris from your yard. These items have a higher chance of catching fire during the hot months. Keep your yard clear so it is a safe area.

Don’t forget about the skylights when securing your home. Skylights are excellent for beauty and light, but it’s easy for burglars to gain access to your home through them. Make sure your skylights have reliable, heavy duty hardware in place.

Don’t be shy. Talk to the people who live in your neighborhood. Watch their homes and ask them if they’ll watch yours as well. Also consider listening in on some of the neighborhood gossip. It is often a good way to find out about security issues, such as strangers in the neighborhood.

If you bought any big or expensive things, wait until trash day to throw away the boxes. Having these boxes nearby can tell robbers what kind of merchandise you’ve got in your house.

Go with your instincts when choosing a security system company. You are giving someone unlimited access to your home, so be sure the installer doesn’t give you a bad vibe. You can decide to use a different company, or ask for a different person to install it. Do some background research on the company you select, and look for people who make you feel safe.

Don’t limit security to the inside of your home; the outside needs attention too. Don’t obstruct windows or doors with shrubs, plants, fences or trees. Do not give robbers a chance to hide in any area. Have your landscape several feet away from your house for better safety.

Rural Areas

Determine how much experience a home security company has before you decide to do business with them. Many years of service bode well for the company’s performance. You get better peace of mind if you deal with someone you know you can trust for the long haul.

Those that live in rural area are not as concerned about having their home invaded as those who are located in the city. On a different note, some people believe homeowners in more rural areas are more likely to experience robberies because of the lack of nearby neighbors. Then again, others think rural areas are not as much of a target.

If you think something looks odd when you get back home, don’t go inside. This can be a dangerous scenario, as the criminal might still be present. Call the police, then wait until they get there to do anything else.

Don’t put your extra key under you doormat, in a planter, or in a cleverly disguised false rock. A key that is easily found is a convenience for a burglar, not just for you. Thieves aren’t stupid and also know common hiding spots. Rather, give the key to a neighbor to hold.

Ask about different contract lengths that your home security company may offer. These lengths can be both good and bad. Your bill may be lower with a long-term contract, but you could wind up paying for a service you’re not using if you decide to move. Short contracts leave you with freedom, but also a larger bill.

You want an alarm system that protects more than your doors. Thieves can easily enter your home through a window. Attach the alarm to each window and ask for monitoring for them. This is vital to keeping your family safe.

See if your security company only sells equipment, or if they will lease it to you instead. It might cost more at first when buying the equipment, but you don’t have the extra cost each month. Leasing is a good way to avoid the initial expense, but you will have to pay monthly fees. Think about both options before making a decision.

Don’t allow the wires of your home security system to be visible to others. Many intruders bypass a security system by cutting the wires. Make sure the wires are installed inside the walls of your home. This way, you will be safer.

If you’ve got a type of numeric keypad on the front door, don’t use your birthday as the password. Anyone can get personal information online which they can use to access your home. Think instead of a more creative way to keep track of your code.

Believe it or not, the wires on your house are worth stealing. Most people are unaware of this fact until a burglar takes it from their house. Copper wiring is very valuable and susceptible to being stripped from the outside of your home. In order to protect yourself from this risk, make sure wires on your house are difficult to find and hard to access.

If you often turn your lights off/on around the same time, consider using a timer. This is simpler for you to avoid flipping the switch and can make the lights turn off and on even if you’re gone a long time.

Change the locks on any new place you move into. Although other tenants might not have a key anymore, they could have copied it. You might even install new locks yourself so that you know you have the only keys.

Always keep your valuables secure. Items like family photos, pricy jewelry, legal documents, financial records, and passports need to be kept in a safe location. A floor safe could be a good place for you to keep these things inside your house. Safety deposit boxes are another great idea.

Keeping the home illuminated during evening hours helps keep criminals away. They do not want to be seen. If you have your home lit up, then you have made it hard for burglars to hide and rob your home. Keep lights on during the night.

Your alarm will only work if the police are notified. Purchase a centrally monitored alarm to reap all the security benefits possible. The neighbors will not always call.

Armed with these ideas, you can begin to seek out the best home security solutions for your needs. Make haste to put these suggestions to good use. These ideas will no doubt help you come up with a few of your own. When you know your home is more secure, you will sleep better.

While locks which are sealed up on the inside are dandy, if you can’t lock it from the outside, it won’t be of much use. Therefore, a deadbolt is a great selection; it will make things very difficult for a burglar.