If you are a homeowner, you realize the necessity of security. Finding your home damaged is always going to be a bad thing. Besides being a valuable possession in its own right, your home is also the stage upon which you live your life. The article below has the tips you need to keep your home safe.

Make your house look like it’s always occupied. Keep your radio, TV and lights on timers. This way, it will appear that you are at home. This is an excellent technique that helps avoid robberies while keeping the property safe.

Do you have an outside dog? She or he is actually a good place to keep the spare key. Attach the key to the dog’s collar so that it is hidden from view. If your dog does not like strangers, this can help ensure consistent access to the house.

It’s important to comparison shop for alarm systems. Prices can be very different from one product to another. Get quotes from no less than three companies before choosing the best one.

Home security systems are able to do more than just sounding the alarm whenever you have an intruder. Modern systems are often capable of detecting any open door or window and announcing that fact. For families with young children, this is excellent for alerting when a child has entered or left the house.

Do not invite strangers into your home. There are some people who are very convincing and good at getting you to let them into your house. Some folks will enter to scout for security systems, and upon seeing you lack one, will resolve to return at a later time.

The materials of your home should be fire resistant. This will help ensure the safety of your home, particularly if your home is located in a dry area. Preventing fires is the best way to deal with them.

Be sure you have secured your attached garage. Many people are concerned about people entering their garages to gain access to their homes. Try putting a C-clamp on your garage door track. This will stop the door from rising if you want to keep it closed.

Use motion sensors on exterior lighting. These are lights that turn on whenever any living thing gets too close to your home. Not only will you know that someone is out there, it will also deter burglars because they want to be inconspicuous. But keep in mind that the bulbs to the security light should be routinely changed to ensure that the deterrent system functions properly.

When summer comes around, eliminate all vegetation and dead wood from your yard. These could catch on fire during the summer, especially if you live in a dry area. Be sure all sorts of flammable items are kept under control around your home.

You should always lock up your house, even if you’re only planning to be gone for a short time. A lot of times, burglaries happen due to carelessness. They can get a ton of stuff quickly and be long gone before you return.

Check with the police department in your town for home security tips and advice. Many police departments offer programs that can include home inspections, home security training and more. Get in touch today.

If you have any boxes to discard from large, expensive items, wait until the evening before the trash is scheduled for collection. Having these boxes outside of your house will give robbers the temptation of robbing your house.

Store your car in the garage if you have it. If your car is in your garage there is less of a chance to vandalize or steal it. It will also keep any intruders from knowing when you’re home.

Are you aware of the fact that your home wiring is worth money? Many people never realize this value until wires are stolen right out of their home. It does not take much time to strip off the expensive copper wires from the exterior of your house. Hide your wiring to secure it.

Be more proactive when you are determining the safety of your neighborhood. Talk to your neighbors. Keep an eye on their houses and yards and request that they return the favor. It’s best to be in on any rumors in the area. You never know what sort of security issues you might become privy to.

Before allowing someone into your house, be sure to carefully check their references. You should do a background check as well to find out their criminal history. You never know if the maid, repairman or contractor you hire is on the up and up, and letting them in or giving them a key could be a fatal mistake.

While choosing your alarm system, ask about protection for windows and motion detection as well as doors. It should protect the windows too. Each point of entry for your home should be monitored by the system. Do this to keep you and your family safe.

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 sometimes fees if you break a contract or need additional equipment. Avoid nasty charges or fees regarding early termination, contract expiration and additional features or equipment.

If you’ve recently moved into a house, get any locks changed out. Although you may trust the previous homeowner, you cannot be 100% sure of their character. Remember that other families may have lived there before that person as well.

You need to think about what you need as far as home security before you look at different systems. Security systems are a proven method of reducing your chance of break-ins, but it is not always the right choice. Sometimes just taking a class in self defense or adopting a loud dog is enough, while at other times a full fledged security system might be the way to go. Before you sink a lot of money into your home’s security, make sure that you’re properly addressing your particular risks.

Keep lights on at all times if you want to prevent break-ins from happening. They do not want to be seen. Good lighting in your home means that crooks have no hiding places. Have lights that come on when they detect movement for best results.

Empty Boxes

The Internet is great for searching for home security companies, so use it to your advantage. You can check out their packages and rates and also read some customer reviews. With this information, you can contact the companies you feel comfortable with and compare the rates to each other.

If you purchase pricey, new electronics, don’t place empty boxes on the curb. Burglars will instantly take notices of these boxes and what used to be in them, making you an easy burglary target. Break down the empty boxes whenever possible.

What do you need to personally feel safe? Generic systems aren’t for everyone. Some individuals are more comfortable with a canine alarm, while other people enjoy the feeling of security that a sophisticated alarm system can bring. Know the risks so that you can make a better decision.

If there are certain rooms you want to keep unoccupied, then you don’t want to keep track of all the keys and locks. Some locks will allow you to punch in a code to gain access to the room. Any good security company can provide and install these locks, or you can even put them in yourself.

If you arrive home and you see that your door is ajar, never enter to investigate on your own. You have no way of knowing whether the thieves are still inside. Go to a neighbor’s or another safe area and call the police.

Speak with your security company about contract lengths and any options available. There are advantages and disadvantages to each. You might pay less each month for longer contracts, but it has its deterrents as well. Shorter contracts offer greater freedom, but may be more expensive each month.

Whenever you purchase some expensive item, don’t place the empty boxes right outside your home. If thieves see these type of boxes outside your home, they may want to break in to steal the items. After removing the contents from these boxes, tear or cut them up.

As this article has demonstrated, keeping your home safe does not have to be difficult. It simply takes knowledge. Ensure that you get the most out of these tips by taking advantage of everything you learned in this article to secure your home. Don’t neglect these tips since they can ensure your home’s safety.

When you aren’t home, be sure to close your blinds, curtains or shades. If you don’t, others can look in and see that the property is currently unoccupied. They may break in if they see things they like. Your window dressing should also be closed while you sleep.