Your home is where your family deserves to be safest, no matter what. You want to know that while your family is away, your home remains secure. The article below is a compilation of tips that can be used to keep your home secure.

Have your home always look occupied. There are timers you can use to make electronics turn on and off at random times. This will give the appearance that someone is at your house at all times. This is a simple way to give people up to no good think that you are home.

When looking for a system to secure your home, do comparison shopping. You’ll find a wide range of prices from different companies. Be certain to obtain multiple quotes prior to making your choice.

Your faithful dog makes a great hiding spot for a spare key. In order to make this work, your dog either needs to stay outside or have access to a pet door. Attach the key to your dog’s collar, and it will be handy if you ever need a spare.

Before leaving for vacation, turn off the ringers in your house. A phone which rings forever is a sign to burglars that you’re not there.

Always have the locks changed when you buy a new home. You have no clue how many people were given keys by the former owner. To make sure you are the sole person with access to the home, engage the services of a locksmith. You should also do this if your keys ever get lost.

Make your home safer by storing your car inside the garage. This will help to keep your vehicle safe. It will also keep any intruders from knowing when you’re home.

Do not give the key to your home to your cleaning person unless you are certain they are worthy of your trust. If you do give out a key to such individuals, be certain you know their reputation for honesty. Ask for references and check them thoroughly. Call the Better Business Bureau to see if their firm is well-reviewed.

Don’t be afraid to know the people who live near you. Talk to the people who live in your neighborhood. By knowing the people in your neighborhood, you can rest a little easier knowing that people are looking out for each other. You shouldn’t neglect gossip. You might actually learn a thing or two concerning people that have been hanging around.

Do not tell anyone that you are going on vacation out of your friend circle. Although you may want to let others in on your excitement, it may inadvertently give burglars a heads up to target your property.

Install motion-sensor lights. They turn on only if someone is nearby. They will notify you of any movement and can deter any possible burglars since they like remaining inconspicuous. Just remember and change out the light bulbs whenever necessary.

Get to know your neighbors. Get to know other people who live next door and others in your neighborhood. Watch out for their homes, and ask them to do the same for you. Don’t ignore the gossip. You may learn some great information about security, such as if any strangers have been hanging around.

If you have just bought any pricey new goods, never toss the boxes onto the curb prior to the garbage man’s arrival. They show the world you have money and lots of valuables inside.

You have a choice on who installs your security system, don’t be afraid to say no if something doesn’t feel right. This is especially true if you are uneasy with those who are installing the actual system. If you simply are not comfortable with a company’s technician, request for another technician or simply hire another company. Security is supposed to give you peace of mind after all!

Prior to allowing access to anyone, make sure you are shown proper identification. A background check which includes any criminal history is warranted. You don’t know whether the contractor, maid, or repairman that you’ve hired is trustworthy and handing them your keys could be a costly mistake.

Be sure to secure the skylights to your home. Skylights are great for making a home brighter, but they can make it easier for burglars to access the house. Check that skylights have heavy duty hardware that can stand up under unwanted tampering.

When you hire a security firm, be certain to review all contracts carefully. Sometimes, hidden costs can be incurred if you get rid of the service before a certain date. These are costs you’ll want to avoid.

Keeping your home very bright during the night hours is an excellent way to prevent thieves. These crooks do not wish to be noticed or seen. With a well lit home there is no place for burglars to conceal themselves. Keep lights on in the evening for a safer home.

Use the Internet when you are seeking a new home security company. Many websites feature reviews, testimonials, and package details from home security services. You’ll find it easy to narrow your choice down to three top contenders; your next step is to arrange to meet each of them to discuss your specific security needs.

Consider home security and safety when you are planning your landscaping. All doors and windows must be unobstructed by shrubs, trees, fences, or plants. Keeping these features free of vegetation robs would-be burglars of concealment and hiding places. Keep landscaping away from your house for safety reasons.

Make an appointment with a home security company to evaluate the security needs of your home specifically. Everyone has different needs, and your security system should be designed to protect your home and family. Doing this helps you get the best security you can get from the company, helping you to relax.

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. Each homeowner has different priorities in terms of home security. A good company will tailor your security plan to the needs of you and your family.

Make sure the outside of the house is well lit. Thieves like to commit crimes when no one can see. Install a light in any area a potential intruder can get into your home. This includes porches and doorways, the garage, as well as ground floor windows, which can invite an intruder.

Keep your outdoor areas well lit. Burglars prefer the cover that night provides their criminal activities. Light up the dark spots around your home. Make sure your porch, garage, doorways and windows are well lit.

You may want to get a security system that is wireless. Although wired systems are usually more affordable, they usually involve changing out the wires of your home. As a result, if a power outage occurs, these wires will probably not be effective. On the other hand, wireless systems use their own power and have easier installations.

Break down the boxes from your new TV or computer rather than leaving them on the side of the road. Burglars pay attention to this, and it will make them want to break in and get the items. After removing the contents from these boxes, tear or cut them up.

If you don’t have a paper shredder, you might want to buy one. Thieves often dig through garbage to obtain personal data that will help them enter the house. You can tear your documents up by hand before disposing of them if a shredder is out of your price range.

Try to stay away from spring latch locks. They give intruders and easy time breaking in, since they can be unlocked with a credit card. This isn’t a difficult maneuver either. If you’ve already got spring latch locks, you can put in a deadbolt for additional security.

Visible Cameras

Put the shades down on your windows when you are out. You don’t want potential intruders to be able to look inside. It could be enticing to break in if they notice something that’s nice. You should also have them down when you are sleeping.

Put up video surveillance. A wonderful way to make your home safer is by putting in hidden or visible cameras. Visible cameras can deter many intruders and if they disable them, the hidden cameras can still capture footage. You can often view these feeds over the Internet, too.

Always store your irreplaceable valuables in a secure place. Items like family photos, passports, legal documents and expensive jewelry should be kept in a safe place. One option is a floor safe inside your home. For ultimate security, of course, such items can be kept in an off-site location like a bank’s safe deposit boxes.

If you have roommates or kids who you do not want in certain areas of the house, you do not have to lock the doors and carry around a ton of keys. Get key-less locks that need a code. Either you can install them or home security companies can.

Draw the blinds at night in whatever room of your home faces the street. You would not want to tempt outsiders to look through your window. If the crooks can see what you own, then they are going to target you next. Use some discretion and make sure to block your valuables from view with curtains or shades.

Never make the password to your keypad your birthday. Your birth date is easy information to obtain. Choose a math equation and make the answer your code, and make sure to keep the equation in mind.

Any doors that aren’t solid wood or made of metal should be replaced. Metal or solid wood doors cannot be broken. If a burglar were to try and kick his way inside, he would have a lot of difficulty doing so. A strong exterior door is a good investment, (they’re very durable!) so make sure all of your home’s doors are tough.

Store those items you can’t bear to lose in a very secure area. Irreplaceable valuables, including financial records, family photos, legal documents, passports, etc., should be secured at all times. Floor safes are great for keeping these items inside the home. It is even better to rent a safe deposit container for absolute security.

External wiring is sometimes all that a thief is after. Your wiring contains copper, which is worth a considerable amount of money. Therefore, you should keep your wires concealed so that thieves are not able to strip away the copper, resulting in you spending a lot on repair costs.

When the windows in your family room are facing the street, it is best to close your curtains every night before you go to bed. Don’t let anyone see inside. If burglars spot the expensive items in your house, they may want to hit you next. Try being discreet about what everyone sees to reduce the chances of being targeted by burglars.

Keep your carbon monoxide and smoke detectors well cleaned. A build-up of dust can keep the device from working properly. If they won’t go off because of dust, these detectors cannot protect your home.

Make sure your children bring in all of their toys from the yard when they are done playing. This makes thieves think women live there. It is important to show some sense of masculinity in and around your home so thieves don’t target you thinking there is expensive jewelry in the home.

The nightmare of burglars begins with video surveillance. Burglars we see in movies that wear masks are purely fictional. Most thieves won’t cover their faces simply because they don’t plan to run into anyone. That means that they will avoid cameras at all costs.

The best advice is at your fingertips. How do you plan to use this advice in your house? Keep learning about home security. Technology is rapidly advancing, changing the industry along with it. Stay up to date, and everyone stays safe.

Choose a reliable security company that goes further than selling a product. Great companies are willing to come assess the house and make specific recommendations. For instance, you may need a stronger exterior door. You need to make sure they truly care about your home’s security so that they can talk about these items with you personally if they actually do.