Do you wish to purchase a security system for your home? Many people buy one without comparing other companies. Maintaining good security habits (e.g. locking doors) might be adequate as security measures.

Be sure your home appears to always be occupied. You could purchase timers which make lights and TV’s, as well as other devices, power on or off at varying intervals. This makes it appear that someone is home. This is a simple way to improve your home’s safety and make it less attractive to criminals.

The only time you should give out house keys to house cleaners is if you absolutely trust them. If you plan to give them a key so they can clean in your home while you are away, ensure they are reputable and honest. Make sure you verify all references. If the cleaner has been sent by a company, call the Better Business Bureau to check on the company’s reputation.

You should always change the locks after purchasing a home. You don’t know the exact number of copies of that key the previous owners have or have handed out. To make sure you’re the only person that can get into your home, contact a locksmith. If you lose your keys, you should do the same thing.

Aim to purchase fire-resistant ceilings, roofs and floors. This will make your home more safe, especially if you are in a dry climate that has many power lines. Preventing a fire hazard is one of the safest precautions that you can take due to the level of destruction that it can cause.

Get a safe to protect your valuable items. If a burglar enters your home, he or she will have a hard time making off with your possessions. Keep the safe hidden somewhere remote.

Turn the ringer off on your telephone if you are going to be away. 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.

Comparison shopping is essential when seeking a security system for the home. You would be surprised to see that the prices are much different for each company, even though it’s for the same type of protection. Get at least 3 quotes from security system companies and compare features and services as well as monthly costs.

Walls are great for hiding items. If you have small valuables you want to protect, consider hiding them inside your walls. Just open up an electrical outlet or a phone jack that is not in use. If you haven’t got any plates that are unused, simply install a false switch plate.

Make sure that you hide your spare key in a good spot. Under the doormat or above the door frame are all too common spaces that will be checked first by potential intruders. Hide your alternative key on your dog’s collar.

Use your wall spaces to hide your valuables. Don’t make it obvious by cutting out big chunks of drywall. Many spots are already cut that can be used for this purpose. For example, you might remove the cover of an electrical outlet, disconnect the wires, and use the space to hide small valuables.

Ask your friends for advice before you choose a home security system or company. You can learn a lot from people who have already dealt with these companies. Ask a number of people to get a several different opinions.

If you have any boxes to discard from large, expensive items, wait until the evening before the trash is scheduled for collection. Having these boxes around for a while will give people an idea of what is inside your house.

Regardless of the type of home security system you choose, be sure to have regular inspections and maintenance performed. Call the company and have them send someone to check it out. A number of factors can cause problems with your security system, including wild animals and mother nature. If the problem cannot be seen, you probably won’t even realize there is one.

If the home you are moving into is not brand new, you should change the locks on all the doors. Although other tenants might not have a key anymore, they could have copied it. You can even buy and install the locks yourself so you know that you are the only one with a key.

Do not place your spare keys under your mat or even in plant boxes. While you may feel that you are keeping yourself safe by allowing a way in for yourself, you are also allowing everyone else to visit whenever they want. Thieves aren’t stupid and also know common hiding spots. Rather, give the key to a neighbor to hold.

Keeping the home illuminated during evening hours helps keep criminals away. They don’t wish to be seen. By minimizing dark and shady areas, you are taking away a potential burglar’s hiding spots. Thus, you should always keep lights on at nighttime.

Lock your home when you leave, even if you don’t think you will be away for long. Most real-world burglars aren’t master lock-breakers; they simply stroll in through a door left carelessly unlocked. It does not take long for thieves to steal your expensive stuff.

One effective home security trick you can use is by installing outdoor motion sensor lights. Thieves prefer to work in darkness. So it’s smart to put a light in typically darker corners around your home. Make sure your porch, garage, doorways and windows are well lit.

When moving into your new house, change every lock. Even if the previous owner or tenant seems trustworthy, you have no way of knowing how many copies of the key they made and distributed. Keep in mind that other families might have lived with them, too.

Never enter your home if you arrive and find the door open. A thief might still be in there, which could put you in danger. You should call the cops and then wait for them before you do anything else.

Alter the locks and the keys when you change homes. You do not want anyone to have a copy of the key. You can change the locks yourself if you’re feeling really industrious.

Don’t let anyone peek into your garage. Use a frosted film to cover the windows. This can be purchased at many hardware stores. Don’t leave doors open for long lengths of time when working there.

Checking out security firms online is a great idea. Review the websites of several companies and play close attention to the types of services offered and the customer reviews. Once you have selected a few potential home security providers, set appointments to interview them and find out what they have on offer.

If you purchase a new TV or computer, don’t leave empty boxes from your purchases on the curb. Burglars can see these and they know that you have them in your home, increasing your chances of a break-in. Cut up the boxes completely instead.

Keep your home’s exterior well lit. Burglars seek darkness so that they can stay hidden. The most important parts of your home to light are all of its potential access points. This includes doorways and porches, the garage, and windows on ground floors which may invite intruders.

You should not keep your auto registration papers in the glove compartment. These valuable documents provide criminals with information about your home location. Keep them in your wallet or in another safe place in your car. They should be close, though, since you’ll need them if you get pulled over.

Before looking at home security systems, consider your personal security risks and safety needs. A home security system is a good idea; however, it is not the perfect solution for every home. Sometimes you may just want to invest in a dog or self-defense classes. Think about your risk factor when making a decision.

Figure out if motion sensitive lighting is an option for your home by talking to your home-security company. This will illuminate the exterior of your home anytime someone approaches. This further protects you from having unwanted guests enter your home.

Keep burglars on the outside of your garage by making sure nobody can actually see inside the garage. Frost your windows with film bought at a hardware store. Avoid leaving the door open for extended periods of time.

Your alarm will only work if the police are notified. Even better is to purchase alarms that are monitored centrally, so that the police are automatically contacted. You can’t necessarily rely on the neighbors to call.

From the road, are your house numbers visible? If your house numbers are not easy to see, the police may have difficulty finding you in an emergency. There is a cheap and quick fix if you see an issue.

Although the nosey neighbor is often considered a nuisance, as a homeowner it can be valuable to forge relationships with gossipy types. If there are unfamiliar people hanging around, the busybodies in your neighborhood will notice. As a friend, they will be sure to notify you.

Inquire about different choices for contract lengths available from the home security provider. There are usually pros and cons in each contract. A longer contract might give you a lower monthly bill, but you could be stuck with those monthly costs if you sell your home or decide to discontinue services. If you want more freedom, it is best to purchase a more expensive but shorter contract.

Deadbolts with keys make the best locks. The devices are equipped with thumb latches that prevent people from reaching around to open the lock via a an adjacent broken window. Any time your are in your home, the key should be left in the lock. This allows you to escape quickly in the event of a fire.

Install a hard-wired system if you want to minimize maintenance costs. A wireless system required the regular replacement of many batteries. The system will cease to work properly if the batteries are not fresh. It can be expensive to replace a ton of batteries.

You might have decided that a security system for your home is the best solution. You may need to begin doing some things differently in your home. Knowing your options is definitely the first step.

Does your security firm offer lights with motion sensors? Lots of companies have this, which triggers your exterior lights whenever something or someone moves near a doorway. You will find your entrances are well-lit and safe, as will intruders.