Securing Your Home When You Are Not Around

If you're wondering what to do about your home security options, then you need to keep reading to find out some great advice. When it comes to home security, it can be difficult to make the best choices. If you want to make the right decision, you need the right information about the subject. To avoid being accidentally locked out of their own home, some people like to hide a key to their house in various outside places, such as under a flower pot, under the welcome mat or inside a fake rock in their landscaping.

If you are guilty of this behavior, stop immediately! Numerous home invasions occur because the intruder searched for a hidden key and found it. It will be less costly to call a locksmith than it is to replace your stolen valuables. Install a peep hole so that you can see who is at your door before you open it. Criminals will knock at a door so that they can push past you when you open it. You should never open a door without knowing the person that is on the other side of it.

Having a good sized dog can make for a great home security system and deterrent to criminals who are considering breaking into your house. Even if you do not have a dog, buying a couple "beware of the dog" signs can be enough to deter people from robbing your house. Make sure all exterior wiring is well protected or covered. Copper wiring is a favorite object for theft as it is often accessible from outside the home and can be sold for a great deal of money.

Air conditioners are a prime target for copper thieves. Also make sure exterior power and phone lines are protected and not easily cut. Get to know your neighbors. Your neighbors are a valuable resource that can help keep an eye on your home when you cannot. When neighbors watch out for each other, you can be alerted if anything suspicious is occurring. Keep an ear out for neighborhood gossip too! If you hear about houses in your area being broken into, it might be time to step up security.

If you just purchased a home and it has an old security system, you should probably replace it. You do not how long the security system has been there or what faults it may have. Plus, newer systems have better technology, meaning your home will be better protected from intruders. Because so many people are numb to the sound of alarms, it is important that you have your home security system linked to the local police station. This is helpful in case you are home and can not call 911 yourself, or you he said are away from home during a break in.

If your front door does not have a peephole, it is wise to have one installed. Peepholes allow you to see who's at your front door before you open it. Some home owners choose to have two peepholes installed to allow for difference in height of those that live in the home. Walls are a great hiding spot for your valuables. If you have small valuables you want to protect, consider hiding them inside your walls. Use an old switch plate, outlet or phone jack.

If you haven't got any plates that are unused, simply install a false switch plate. Do not do any landscaping that will obscure the entrances of your home. While you may think it is a good idea to plant a huge rosebush in front of your living room windows, this gives a thief a place to hide while they figure out a way to get into your home. If your home security system goes off a lot because it is faulty, or you accidentally set it off yourself, fix the problem immediately.

A home security system is one of the best ways to prevent break-ins, but your neighbors will ignore it they hear it set off a lot. If you are going on vacation, do not change your answering machine telling everyone that you are going to be away.