You probably know someone that has been a victim of a home broken into. Home break-ins are increasing, and it’s important to take certain precautions. This article discusses strategies for increasing your home.

Always change the locks changed when you buy a new home. You never know how many keys by the old locks are floating around. Do the same thing if you misplace a key.

Your risks of being the target of home intruders really doesn’t depend on the area in which you live. Nonetheless, people in the country may be at greater risk due to being far away from neighbors. Not everyone believes this, though.

Do you keep your dog outdoors when you leave the home? They can help you with your key. Put the key on their collar. This is quite effective if the dog does not respond well to strangers.

Above doors or under a mat are much too common to hide them and potential criminals will check them first. You should hide the key with your dog on the collar.

If you have just moved into a new home, have every single lock replaced. Although the person you purchased the house from might seem good, you really have no clue as to who they really are. Don’t forget that there were likely other owners and residents in the house before the last set.

Don’t allow anyone you don’t completely know into your house. Even if someone has a good story, needs help or has something to sell, ignore them. This is the first rule of keeping your home security equipment.

Don’t open your door for someone who is a stranger. People try many ways to trick others into letting them in so that they can commit burglary or worse. Make it a rule forbidding anyone to open the door for an unexpected visitor.

Before allowing any security company reps to come into your home, make sure they have on a uniform and they have valid ID. Criminals can easily pretend to be from a security firm as a means to gain entry to the house. Don’t allow this to happen, as it is a direct threat to your house and its contents. Be deliberate in preventing hazards.

Don’t ever place your spare key under your mat or in a plant box. These are the first places for you when they try to enter your home. Thieves are aware of all these hiding spots.

Are you aware that your home’s wires? A lot of people do not know this until a robber steals it from the house. The copper and is easy to be quickly taken off a short time span. Make sure the wiring is hidden or hard to access to keep this valuable item safe.

If you’re hiring a company for home security, be sure to read any fine print before you sign that contract. There may be hidden expenses involved if you terminate service before the contract term is up, and there may be added equipment fees. It is best to know all you can about a service you sign up for.

If you are moving into a new home, you should first change your locks. The person who used to live there may still have made some copies of the key. You can do your own installation to make sure only you have the key.

Keep the outside areas of your outdoor areas well lit. Burglars like the cover that night provides their criminal activities. Install lights in any area a potential intruder can use to enter your home. This includes doorways, windows, garages and lower windows.

When seeking out home security firms, the Internet is an indispensable tool. Go through different websites and investigate testimonials about different companies and packages. With that information, you can make your appointments with the top three companies you’ve chosen so that you can compare pricing and look at specific monitoring and plans.

You should think about getting a security system that is wireless. Wired systems may be cheaper, but they often involve intrusive rewiring of your home, and your system may get finicky in the event of a power outage.

If you are going on a vacation, ask a friend to take a look at your door for any fliers. Some burglars place fliers to see if the flyer is removed immediately or not.

You should think about your own safety when comparing different home security options. While these systems are great and can help protect your family, they are not necessary for everyone. Some neighborhoods would feel be safe enough if you knew basic self defense or had a large dog. You need to assess risks and choose a system adapted to the kind of situations you are likely to run into.

Consider installing a surveillance system for your home and property. Both hidden and visible video cameras can help keep your home. Visible cameras are a deterrent to most intruders, and if they are disabled, a camera that is hidden will keep capturing footage. A lot of surveillance systems may be accessed through a cell phone, giving you the chance to check it even when you’re away.

Don’t give anyone an opportunity to see inside your garage when it comes to home security. Don’t leave doors open when working there.

If you get home and see the door is slightly open, don’t go inside by yourself to investigate. This can be a dangerous scenario, as the criminal might still be present. You should call the cops and then wait for them before you do anything else.

Ask the company if they offer systems for lease or buy your security equipment. Buying the equipment might cost more up front, but it’s a single cost versus a monthly cost. Leasing is usually cheaper, but you will have to pay monthly fees. Look at both of these to see what works for your personal circumstances.

Think about hard-wired system if you’re worried about long term maintenance issues. It can be expensive to replace batteries.

If you will be going out of time, have someone you trust get your mail. Also, have them look for fliers stuck in your door. Burglars often put fliers on the door to see if the owner removes them. Intruders can get a good idea of what your schedule is like or figure out that you are on vacation if the flyer stays on your door for a long time.

You want to avoid having people peeking in through your window. If the crooks can see what you own, it makes it easier for them to commit crimes. Make sure you’re discreet concerning your belongings so you can keep your chances of being robbed at a target.

Replace your doors with some that are solid wood or metal versions. These types of doors are strong. A burglar could not kick that door in. The cost of replacing these doors is worth it in the end.

Put up video surveillance. Installing hidden and visible video cameras are great for securing your house. Visible cameras deter the majority of intruders, and if they try to disarm them, a camera that is hidden will keep capturing footage. You can often view these feeds over the Internet, too.

Being friendly will make them more likely to alert you great security.

You must always make sure your second story windows are locked. Many homeowners neglect this step because they believe that burglars won’t bother with those windows. This is not the truth. This is the weak area that criminals know this.

Don’t give anyone an opportunity to see inside your garage in order to ward off robbers. Go to a hardware store and buy some frosting so you can cover your windows. Never leave the front door open for very long.

Don’t leave toys in your yard. This makes it fairly obvious that females live there. Homes with women are usually targeted more attractive targets because they probably have pricy jewelry inside.

Don’t believe that only big expensive houses are susceptible to burglary. Any home that can be broken into is a target. By utilizing the advice in this piece, you can increase your home’s security level and keep burglars at bay.

There’s an easy way to secure interior doors (if there are areas you want to keep housemates and children out of) without obliging you to carry a key-ring around at all times. Instead, key-less key code locks can work just as well. 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.