There can be little doubt that keeping your home and its contents safe is likely among your top priorities. However, you may not have the knowledge necessary to make sure the job is done right. Keep reading to learn more about making certain that your loved ones and valuables are always secure, even when you are away from home.

Is your dog outside even if you are away? Your pet might just be the perfect place to stash a spare key to your home. Attach the key inside their collar and make sure it can’t be seen. This is especially useful if the dog does not take kindly to strangers.

A survey taken by police officials reveals that 85 percent of them believe a home is more protected when equipped with a security system. Also, 60 percent of attempted burglaries are unsuccessful when the targeted home has a security system. For this reason, home insurance companies give a discount if the home has a security system.

In spite of all the advantages of a home security system, and all the advertising, only 15 percent of American homes have one. Homeowners may be unsure of which system will work best for them, and worry about the additional cost. Some people also worry they will be unable to figure out how to use it.

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.

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 are away from home during a break in.

When people come to your door unexpectedly, ask who is there before you open the door. Even if you live in a neighborhood that does not have a high crime rate, it is still a good idea to be careful. If the person on the other side is hesitant about replying, never open the door.

Always make sure your doors are locked. Every time you open your windows to air out the house, go around and double check the locks in the evening. Many people forget to do this, and the reality is, most burglars gain entry through windows and doors. Lock everything, no matter what time of day it is.

You want all wires of an installed security system to be hidden. A burglar will simply cut the wires if he can see them. Don’t make it easy for an intruder, have the wires buried or hidden within the home’s walls. Your safety will increase.

Making sure your home is safe is something in which you have a serious, vested interest. Understanding how to guarantee your residence is secured at all times requires some specialized knowledge. With any luck, the article above has provided you with the type of information for which you have been searching.