This should not a hasty decision. You need to pay close attention to the security and safety needs of your home.

Check out their references very carefully. If this professional is from a company, check with the BBB.

Your dog can actually safeguard a spare key. Really this works only if you have a pet door or if your dog is an outdoor dog. Place a spare key on the collar, and when you really need a spare, you know where to go!

Does your dog stay in the yard while you are gone? This is a good spot for your spare key. Put the key on their collar. This works especially well as storage if the dog does not take kindly to strangers.

Ask friends for advice before choosing home security system or company. You can learn a lot from people who have gone before you by paying attention to their recommendations and warnings. Ask around to get lots of advice for making a sound decision.

If you need to leave a key for a maid service, make sure that that whoever cleans your house is professional and trustworthy. Make sure they are honest, reputable and hardworking. Check out their references thoroughly. If the cleaner has been sent by a company, call the Better Business Bureau to check on the company’s reputation.

Turn the ringer off on all your phones if you are going to be away. A phone which rings forever is a sign to burglars that you’re not home and could increase the chances of you getting robbed.

There is a solution for people that are worried about burglars from entering your home through the garage. You can use a C-clamp to stop the door and prevent it from being opened.

Do you keep your dog outside when you aren’t home? This is where you can put your spare key. Put the key on the dog’s collar. Your dog is an especially good key hiding spot if he doesn’t react well to strangers, since they won’t approach him, but the key will be there if you need it.

The fist thing you’ll need to do is get new locks. Whether you just bought your home or someone just moved out that you were living with, changing your locks is a good idea.It is pretty cheap and can be done in less than a few hours.

Walls are a great hiding things. You should think about hiding certain small valuables inside the walls. You can use the opening provided by an electrical switch plate or electric outlets as hiding spots. You can easily install fake plate if there aren’t any unused in your home.

Make sure to use caution when deciding if and where to hide an extra key outside of your home. Hiding it beneath the doormat is very common and most intruders will look there. For a better solution, try tucking your spare key into your dog’s collar, provided you have an outside dog.

Most burglars gain entry to a door is left open and an intruder just walks in. It can be a quick job for a burglar to steal items of expensive valuables.

Flashlights are key because they allow you to move around in an emergency should arise. Your whole family should know how to work the proper use and maintenance of flashlights.

Buy fire resistant flooring, roofing and ceiling. This adds an extra layer of protection to your home, especially if you live in a very dry area with power lines. Fire prevention should be taken seriously because it can stop a major disaster from happening.

It is easy for thieves to present themselves as representatives of a company in order to gain access to your home. This means peril for what you and your loved ones. Be careful with who you let into your home.

Use the Internet when you are seeking a reliable home security company. After reading about these services, you can then take the next step by contacting each one.

Remove old plants and debris from your yard. These are vulnerable to fires and put your home in danger. Keep your yard clear of debris to keep your house safe.

Ask your home security company how long they have been in the business. A company with a long history has proven that their service to people. Knowing you are dealing with a fly by night company gives you extra peace of mind when making this important decision.

Never enter your house if you arrive and find the door open.This is a delicate situation as the burglar may still be on your home. Call the cops and let them take care of the situation.

The walls are a perfect hiding place. If you have valuables that are small in size, you may want to hide them within your walls. Just use an unwired electric plug, light switch or phone box. You can also install a fake one.

If you plan to be away and you have another person collecting your mail, ask a neighbor to pick up your mail and check your home for flyers. Thieves have put them up in order to see if home owners are away.

You need to get a good home security system. Both hidden and visible security cameras can help keep your home safe. Visible cameras deter many intruders, and if they are disabled, a hidden camera will continue to capture footage. You can often view these feeds over the Internet, keeping you informed on the go.

Never throw out boxes for expensive items until the day your trash is picked up. They show the world you have money and lots of valuables inside.

You shouldn’t keep your auto registration papers in the glove compartment. This is not wise since anybody who gets them is going to know your address. Keep them with you or hide them somewhere else in your vehicle. You should have easy access to them close in case you should be pulled over.

This will ensure that they turn on and continue to switch even when you can’t be at home.

The wiring on your house is valuable to burglars. Often homeowners are unaware of this fact until they find that their wiring has been stolen. The copper inside the wire is very valuable and may be stripped off the exterior of the house in a short time span. Hide your wiring to secure it.

Being friendly will bring you right away.

Buy security systems directly from the manufacturer. Resellers just want to make money off your purchase, and they do not stand behind everything they sell.

Check someone’s references carefully before letting them come into your home. A background check may also be a good idea. You can never be too sure about anyone you hire to enter your home, and giving them access can work against you.

External wiring is a simple target for thieves. The copper from your electrical system could be traded for lots of cash. Conceal the wiring in your home so intruders cannot remove it or you with a big repair bill.

Video is a crooks nightmare. Burglars don’t wear masks like you see in movies. Many people who burglarize homes don’t cover their face because they do not want to come into contact with people.

To increase your home’s security, buy some outdoor lights that are motion activated. Nighttime security lights are affordable and effective in terms of security and handy in terms of visibility and safety. When placed appropriately, no one will be able to break in unannounced.

Look at home security company that offers more than just a security systems. Great companies visit homes and make some recommendations that can keep your family much safer. You may be advised to install windows that are more secure, install deadbolts or upgrade your windows. You need to ensure that the firm really takes its work seriously, and they will discuss these types of things with you if they do.

You should now know more about home security systems. You don’t want to walk into your decisions blindly. Your family’s safety should be priority number one. Keep the tips that have been discussed here in mind as you move forward.

Keep your outdoor areas well lit. Dark houses invite burglars who prefer to operate under cover of darkness. Make sure to have lights anywhere an intruder might enter. This includes doorways and porches, the garage, and windows on ground floors which may invite intruders.