Home safety is a really big market. Burglaries are commonplace in all areas of the country. Burglars will usually choose homes that do not have security measures in place. Read this article to learn how to get your home safer and keep intruders away.

Do you let your dog outside if you leave the home? Your furry friend is also a great storage place to hide your extra key. Put it on the dog’s collar.This works especially well as storage if the dog does not take kindly to strangers.

Your faithful dog makes a great hiding spot for a spare key. This works with a dog that stays outside or a dog with a pet door. Simply attach a spare key to your dog’s collar (in a secure and non-visible place, of course) so that you’ll be able to retrieve it if you need it.

It’s important to comparison shop around before you settle on the right security system for alarm systems. Be certain to obtain multiple quotes from different companies prior to choosing one.

You should never want to open up a door to a stranger without proper identification. People try many ways to trick others to open up their doors so they can commit burglary or worse. Make a habit to only open the door to people you were expecting.

Be very cautious about entrusting a maid service with a key to your home. If you plan to give them a key so they can clean in your home while you are away, ensure they are reputable and honest. It is best to do a reference check on them. If the cleaner has been sent by a company, call the Better Business Bureau to check on the company’s reputation.

Police Department

See what the local police department has any home protection programs. They may offer things such as home inspections, engraving tool loans, engraving tools for marking code numbers onto items so that they will be easily identified if stolen. Contact the police department to find out if they offer this type of program.

Home security systems offer other triggering features besides having an alarm sound. Most systems could sound an alarm when someone enters the home. This is important if you have small kids.

Talk to your neighborhood.

The first step in making your home security is to get new locks. Maybe you had a roommate move out or have a disgruntled ex-lover, so changing the locks can keep you safer. It is usually inexpensive and you can do it in less than 24 hours.

If you will be vacationing for an extended period of time, turn off the ringer on all the phones in your house. If your phone is ringing while you are out, burglars will realize that no one is home, making your home very vulnerable to an attack during your time away.

Don’t ever put spare key under your doormat or beneath the welcome mat. These are the first places criminals will look when you misplace your key. Thieves are familiar with these spots.

Most break-ins and burglaries occur because a door left open and an intruder just walks in. It can be a quick job for a burglar to steal items of expensive valuables.

Don’t allow anyone you don’t know to look into your house. Be wary of those who come to your door selling products, asking for help, or telling sob stories. There are some people who will just come in to see if you have a home security system, and if you do not, they could come back later when you are not home.

When selecting an alarm set-up, you should select a system that protects more than simply the doors of your home. All of your windows can be entry spots for a thief too. You want to be sure that the alarm is connected to all your windows and doors. This helps ensure your family safe.

Hide your security system. Intruders can easily disable a system if they see the wires. This can make you much safer.

Use motion sensors on exterior lighting. They turn on only if someone is nearby. They will signal movement to you but will also serve as deterrents to the thieves. Just do not forget to replace the bulbs periodically to keep them functioning at all times.

Get your needs by having the security system custom built for your home.

Personal Information

Change your locks if someone you don’t trust moves out of your home. Maybe you had a roommate move out or have a disgruntled ex-lover, changing the locks is the best way to keep yourself safe. It is usually inexpensive and can be done in less than 24 hours.

Thieves can often be found looking through garbage to obtain personal information found on bills and credit card slips. You could also simply take care to tear papers with personal information into small bits before you discard them.

You can instead get key-less locks that need a code.You can install it yourself.

Your first priority when you move to an apartment or house where others have lived in before is to replace all the locks. Previous tenants may have given the keys back to the landlord, but it is always possible to make copies of keys. If you own, you can have the locks replaced and only you will have had the key.

Find out about the various lengths of contracts your security company has on offer. Each has its own set of positives and negatives. Long contracts may cost less each month, but can outlast your stay in the home. Shorter contracts mean more freedom at a higher cost.

Ask whether companies offer options to lease and sale. Buying your equipment may cost more initially, but it means a one time cost that does not continue every month. Leasing is a good way to avoid the initial expense, it does mean higher monthly bills and a contract. Look into both choices to know which one is better for you.

Be certain to read the entire contract when you hire a home security firm. There could be fees for terminating the contract early or acquiring additional equipment down the road. You want to avoid as many of these fees as you can, so read everything.

You should not keep your auto registration documents inside the glove box. This isn’t smart because that information contains your address. Keep them with you or hide them somewhere else in your vehicle. They have to be accessible in the cops pull you are in an accident or receive a speeding ticket.

Never hide keys in an obvious spot.It is easy to find fake rock. The first place a person will likely look is a doormat. A friend or neighbor can be a much better plan is to ask someone you trust to keep your extra key holder than an inanimate object. If this is not possible, find a spot that’s not obvious.

Use the Internet when you are seeking a new home security company. Look at many websites and read customer reviews about the various services. From there, you can make appointments with your top three selections to compare final package pricing and specific details about plans and monitoring.

You want to always keep second-floor windows locked. Many folks forget this step because they believe burglars will not bother climbing your home. This is not be further from the truth. Criminals know that this is a vulnerable area.

Deadbolts that have captive keylocks are usually your wisest choice. Deadbolts have thumb latch for an extra layer of protection.If you are home, simply lodge the key on the lock.

Get some professional assistance by asking a home security company to come to your house and work up a plan for a customized security system. You need some features which other families may wish to do without. When you choose a company that pays close attention to detail in creating your home security plan, you will feel very secure.

A burglar can easily remove them out and come on in they’re not secured. You should actually remove them in winter for additional security.

Many people purchase a means of protection from intruders. You may wish to get trained to use a gun and receiving training. You might feel more secure with a firearm in the house if you have a firearm in your home and know how to use it.

Shred any documents and junk mail that contains identifying information. A thief looking through your discarded papers can find a lot of information you do not want them to have. They may even learn your schedule, so they can burgle your home while you are away. If you cannot afford a paper shredder, rip papers up into small pieces.

Alarm System

Make the existence of your home alarm system obvious to intruders. Window decals or signs in your yard can act as deterrents for would-be intruders.If burglars don’t know you have an alarm system until they are inside, they still have a chance to grab something and run.

If you are going to be out of town for more than a day or so, have someone check your mailbox and door for mail and fliers. Burglars sometimes place fliers as a means to see if anyone is home to remove them. If the flier stays in place, the burglar knows that the homeowner is out on vacation.

Do not allow any valuable items in plain view of your exterior windows. If they are not immediately visible, they may be tempted to steal them.

Home security is important for the safety of you and your family. Crime can strike when it is least expect. Use the advice found in this piece and put a strong security system in place. Don’t delay. Do something about the security of your house before it’s too late.

The best method to maintain a thief from going into the garage is making sure nobody can see inside. Use a frosted film to cover the windows. This can be purchased at many hardware stores. Keep your garage door closed as often as possible, too.