Every home should have a good home security system, but not everyone does this. A little bit of self-education in the field of home security can go a long way towards making your home safer and yourself a more responsible homeowner. Keep reading to gain the insight necessary to establish a winning security plan for your home.

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.

Really take an inventory of what people can see through your windows. If you can obviously see expensive technology like flat screen TVs and pricey desktops, then you are inviting trouble. Instead, hide that tech and expensive furnishings out of view. Your home will be a lot less attractive to potential thieves.

Consider hiding a spare key on your dog. If you have dogs who have free access to the outdoors, try taping a key securely to the inside of one of their collars. This will make your key accessible should you lock yourself out, while keeping your home safe. If you have multiple dogs, choose the dog who is least friendly with strangers.

Keep the area directly alongside your home clear of bushes to eliminate hiding places for intruders. Although having shrubs and ornamental bushes underneath windows and along the sides of your home can be beautiful, they’re perfect hiding places for people who are trying to break-in. Keep these potential trouble spots clear, especially in front of and around windows.

Make sure that your home security system has a backup power source. Many burglars cut wires inside home security systems before entering a home. If you have a backup source, the alarm will continue to work as it should. It may be more expensive to install this type of system, but it will be worth it.

Walk out to the street and then turn back to your home. What can you see through the windows? Is there anything valuable in view? If so, you need to move the objects out of sight. They simply give burglars a reason to target your home. If relocating the objects isn’t a possibility, invest in shades or curtains to obscure them from view.

Protecting and covering outside wiring can be beneficial in increasing your home security. With the current prices of copper, thieves target easily available copper wiring, especially around air conditioning units. It is also important to secure and cover wiring to prevent intruders from cutting phone lines and power supplies to alarm systems.

If you have a garage, increase your home security by using it to house your car, rather than just for storage. A car kept locked in a garage is much less likely to be stolen or damaged. It will also keep any intruders from knowing when you’re home.

Install outside lighting to deter intruders, especially if you live on a dark street or a rural area. To save electricity and enhance the surprise factor, install motion detecting light fixtures that only activate when there is activity. Mount these fixtures, using bright lights, at entrances and other potential points of unauthorized entry.

Install timers on your indoor lights. If you are planning on being away from home after dark, timers can make your home look occupied. This is especially useful if you are planning a vacation or other extended stay away from home. Make sure the timer is set differently in each room, as all the lights turning on at once does not look natural.

Make certain no one can see your valuable belongings through windows and doors. Large windows let in light and give you a great view outside, but that works both ways. If your windows are facing the street, make sure you cover them and protect your valuables.

Landscape your home with safety in mind. Shrubs, trees, fences, etc. should not obstruct the view of your doors and windows. With areas like these visible, there will be no hiding while attempting a break-in. Keep landscaping away from your house for safety reasons.

Your dog is likely to be your best friend, but he can also protect your home. When you are out, he will stand guard, barking at and even attacking anyone who attempts to enter when they shouldn’t. Train him to understand that when you let people inside, that is okay.

Not too many people know exactly how to make their home more secure. Studying the subject needs to be a top priority for any person that worries about their family’s safety and their items’ safety. Keep this article handy and refer to it as necessary.

Enjoy A Safer Home With These Home Security Tips was originally published on Spring