Do security systems baffle you? Are you unsure of where to begin? If this sounds like you then most likely you’re looking for good information about finding a good home security system. Learn more by reading this article in full.

After you purchase a new home, change the locks. You cannot be sure of the number of key copies that the former owner gave out. Hire a locksmith so that you can be sure you are the only person who can access your home. Do the same thing if you misplace your keys.

Create the illusion that your home is constantly occupied. Buy timers so that lights, radios, TVs and all other electronics turn on and off at various times. This makes it look as though people are home no matter what. This should help you make your home safer and not attract the attention of potential intruders.

Make sure you trust your house cleaner before you provide them with a key. Be sure to check out the background of any housekeeper you plan to provide with a key to your home. It is best to do a reference check on them. If the house cleaner is employed by a company, check with the BBB of your area to determine their reputation.

Before selecting any home-security company, talk to your friends to see who they suggest. You can benefit from the experience of others that have gone before you by paying attention to their recommendations and warnings. Ask a few different people to help you make the best choice.

When looking for a system to secure your home, do comparison shopping. Prices vary significantly, even for similar levels of protection. Be certain to obtain multiple quotes prior to making your choice.

Make sure the ringer on any phones in your home is turned off when you leave for vacation. A loud ring that goes unanswered can alert people to the fact that you aren’t home. This makes you more likely to be the victim of a burglary.

Don’t just hide your spare key anywhere. It is very common for homeowners to hide them under a mat or above the framing of their door, and intruders know this. Rather, think about putting a key on your outside dog’s collar.

Don’t overlook your garage as a potential access point for thieves. A lot of garage owners fret over burglars entering this way, but there are answers. You can use a C-clamp to stop the door from being opened.

The walls of your home make for great hiding spots. This is a great way to hide jewelry, for example. You could use a phone jack, electrical outlet or a switch plate. If you don’t have unused plates, it’s easy to put in a fake one.

Be bold. Meet your neighbors. Ask them to look after your home, and in return, look out for theirs. Don’t disregard gossip either. You might hear helpful information, for instance if strangers have been hanging around.

Make sure to have flashlights with fresh batteries in all rooms within your house in the event of a power outage. This is important for you to be able to see should your power go out or you suffer an emergency. Show your children how to use them so everyone in the family is involved.

The first thing to do is get your locks changed out. Maybe you’ve had a roommate leave or a bitter ex-lover, so changing the locks can keep you safer. It is generally cheap and may be done in a little under a day.

If you move to a dwelling that has had prior occupants, make sure you get the locks changed. Even if the tenants turned their keys in, they may have made copies. It’s easy to install locks, so you can just purchase them at the home improvement store and swap them out to be sure you have the only keys.

Hide the wires of your home security system. You don’t want a burglar to get access to them and disable your system. Make it hard for a burglar to avoid your detection. This will make you much safer.

Keep lights on at all times if you want to prevent break-ins from happening. Thieves don’t want to be visible. With a well lit home there is no place for burglars to conceal themselves. Keep your lights turned on during the night.

If you have just moved into a new home, have every single lock replaced. Regardless of how trustworthy you consider the last owners to be, neither you nor they can be sure that there aren’t others out there with keys to those locks. Remember that different families might have dwelt there before this person.

You can find an excellent home security company with a simple Internet search. Check out reviews you find on the web. Make appointments with the three best companies, and take the time to go over the details and compare them.

Make sure to ask for identification for any home security company representative. Thieves can pass themselves as workers, which can end up in a robbery of your home. This puts your household and valuables at considerable risk. Be very careful with who you let into your home.

Keep safety at the forefront when landscaping your property. The doors and windows of your home should not be obstructed by trees, fences or shrubs. Do not give robbers a chance to hide in any area. If you want to have a garden around your home, keep trees and shrubs away from your house.

Always get references from anyone you are considering hiring to do work inside your home. Try doing a background check to look at their criminal history. You need to be very careful with the contractors, repairmen or maids you trust with being alone in your home.

Make sure the outside of the house is well lit. Burglars tend to commit crimes at night. Install some outside lights so you can see everything outside. Make sure your porch, garage, doorways and windows are well lit.

You can add a great deal of security to your home by installing a system of motion activated exterior lighting. At night, the lights will keep things bright round the house, but they are also efficient and cost-effective ways to help your security. If you position motion detectors properly, it is very hard for someone to sneak onto the property.

Consider your personal needs for safety and your security risks prior to looking for security systems. Security systems are a proven method of reducing your chance of break-ins, but it is not always the right choice. In some areas, a class on self defense or a guard dog might be more suitable, yet in others, an advanced home security system will fit the bill. You need to assess risks and choose a system adapted to the kind of situations you are likely to run into.

Be sure and keep the outside of your house well lit. Burglars seek darkness so that they can stay hidden. Add lights to any areas you believe are potential entry points for burglars. Over doors, near windows and especially your back yard need to be lit.

Put in a surveillance system. Placing hidden and visible video cameras is a good way to keep your home secure. Visible cameras can deter many intruders and if they disable them, the hidden cameras can still capture footage. A lot of surveillance cameras could be accessed through your phone, giving you the chance to check it even when you’re away.

Can you locate your house number if you are standing on the street? If your numbers cannot be plainly seen, then the police will struggle to locate your home very quickly in case of emergency. This is a project any homeowner can tackle.

Talk to your home-security company to see if they provide buy and lease options for your equipment. It may be more expensive to buy equipment at the outset; however, you may save money in the long run if you are free from monthly payments. By leasing equipment, you can get the protection you want for less, but you may be paying for it over and over as time goes on. Explore both options to see which works best for you.

A dog is a great alarm system. They generally bark when someone comes close to their property. You don’t even need a huge, vicious dog. Even tinier canines can ward off intruders with enough noise.

Secure your true valuables in an area that is as safe as possible. Photos, passports, important documents and heirlooms should be kept where they can’t be stolen or damaged. Floor safes may come in handy for this purpose. If you want to be very secure, you can put it in safety deposit boxes at your bank.

If you want to keep certain rooms in your home private, you don’t need to lock every door with a key. You can instead get key-less locks that work using a code. These can be installed either by you, or a home security company.

If your door is not solid wood or metal, replace it! Metal and solid wooden doors hold tight and fast. If the burglar tries to kick their way in, they have a hard time doing so. You should replace each exterior door in the home before doing the minimal amount, as soon as you can.

Spring Latch Locks

Make friends with your neighbors. They will let you know if they see someone suspicious near your home. If you are friendly with them, it increases the chances of them alerting you right away.

Don’t utilize spring latch locks. These locks can be opened easily with a credit card. The lock can be triggered to open by simply wedging the card in the lock. IF spring latch locks are already in place, add a deadbolt for that extra layer of security.

The best locks you can get are deadbolts that include captive keylocks. They include thumb latches that prevent anyone from breaking a window and reaching around to unlock the door. When at home, leave your key in this kind of lock for easy egress in the event of fire.

Are you ready to tackle your home security problems? Using these tips means securing your home. When you get the job done, you’ll be so pleased with your safety.

Owning a big, scary dog has many benefits. Burglars would not want to deal with potentially being bitten or attacked. Owning a dog not only offers a great companion, but a built in alarm system, too.