If your personal possessions include high-value items like jewelry, artwork or significant amounts of cash, you can’t assume that their existence is secret. Guard against burglaries by increasing the security of your home. To learn more about home security, read on.

Purchase ceiling, flooring and roofing that is fire resistant. Having your home built with fire resistant materials will help safeguard your home in case it catches fire. Lowering or eliminating the risk of a fire is an extremely important home security strategy because a fire can cause extreme destruction very quickly.

Good home security systems sound a loud alarm when breached, and that’s not all. Many can be set for sounding their alarm if anyone enters. Parents riding herd on small children will be thankful for this feature which makes it harder for kids to sneak outside without supervision.

Talk to people you know about their security systems. Other people will probably have personal experience with these companies that are either good or bad. They can share their experiences with you, which will greatly assist you in making the best decision. Ask around to get lots of advice for making a better choice.

Carefully consider where you hide your outside spare key. Intruders will think to look on the top if a door frame and under a doormat. Instead, try hiding a key on the collar of an outside dog.

Never allow a stranger to enter your home. Do not give in, even if a person uses a convincing story, asks for help or says they are selling something. This person might just be casing the joint to see if there is home security equipment.

Be sure your roof, floors, and ceiling are fire resistant. This ensures your home won’t be a tinderbox. Preventing fires is the best way to deal with them.

Don’t open up your door for someone who is a stranger. People try many ways to convince others to open up their doors so that they can commit burglary or worse. Keep a hard, fast rule that says you only open the door for invited guests in order to keep your family safe.

It’s a good idea to have motion sensor lights installed. These kinds of lights will pop right on when they detect motion near your home. Then you will know someone is present, and if the person is a burglar, he or she will be very likely to turn around and leave. Remember that the bulbs need to be changed so that the lights keep working.

Install lights that have motion sensors. These lights turn on if someone walks closely to your house. The lights will notify you of motion and also deter would be burglars. Be sure to keep these lights working, though.

Those that live in rural area are not as concerned about having their home invaded as those who are located in the city. On a different note, some people believe homeowners in more rural areas are more likely to experience robberies because of the lack of nearby neighbors. That said, stranger things have happened.

Conceal valuable spaces within your walls. You don’t have to cut pieces out of the walls. Many places around your house have areas that are already pre-cut. Why not take the guts out of an electrical socket you’re not using? You can convert it into a convenient and covert little wall safe.

If you’ve bought large or pricy items, avoid throwing out boxes until the day the trash is scheduled for pick-up. Empty boxes for expensive new gear serve as advertisements to potentials thieves; don’t make it easy for them to spot such tempting targets.

Don’t put your extra key under you doormat, in a planter, or in a cleverly disguised false rock. These are the first places criminals will look when they try to enter your home. Any thief knows all the typical hiding spots. Give it to a neighbor you trust instead.

You can add a great deal of security to your home by installing a system of motion activated exterior lighting. This is a fairly inexpensive way to provide light and security to your property. With good positioning and properly set motion detectors, intruders will not be able to sneak up on your home unnoticed.

Be certain the wires to your home security system are neither visible nor accessible. A burglar can easily cut and disconnect wires that are left visible. Instead, make sure the wires are hidden. This way, you will be safer.

When you are trying to hire a home security contractor, read all the small print on your contract before signing it. You need to find out about hidden costs, such as cancellation fees in case you want to cancel your contract before it expires. You want to try to avoid these fees whenever possible, so make sure you are aware of them.

Equipping each room in your house with a reliable flashlight (charged with good batteries, of course!) is an excellent safety investment. Flashlights are critical, and provide you with the freedom to move about as needed. Also show your children how to use them so they can help out in emergencies.

Safety should be kept in mind when you are planning your landscape. Don’t obstruct windows or doors with shrubs, plants, fences or trees. Do not give robbers a chance to hide in any area. Put these features at a greater distance from your house; let beauty also complement safety.

Change the locks on any new place you move into. The previous tenants may have returned the keys, but they could have a copy. You can change the locks yourself if you’re feeling really industrious.

Security Company

Before allowing someone into your house, be sure to carefully check their references. Be sure to perform a background check and look for any criminal history that might be in evidence. Someone can seem nice and professional on the outside, but they may not be so nice on the inside.

Ask your home security company how long they have been in business before you sign up for service. Find a home security company that has a good reputation and many years of experience to get excellent service. It’s good to know that the company won’t disappear overnight and leave your home unprotected.

When you landscape your house, make it safe. Keep your doors and windows clear of any shrubbery. If criminals know you can see them, they are less likely to break in. Keeping the areas around your windows free of plants can help to deter criminals from lurking too close to your home, without you noticing.

Think about having a wireless security system for the home installed. A wired system should be less expensive but you might have to spend your money on getting your home rewired. A wireless system is easy to install and to maintain. Besides, you will still be able to count on your wireless system in case of a power outage.

Think about getting a wireless security system for the home. Wired systems might be a bit less expensive, but they often involve intrusive rewiring of your home, and can become faulty during a power outage. On the other hand, wireless systems use their own power and have easier installations.

Are your house numbers visible from the street? Small or obscured numbers can make it difficult for emergency personnel to locate your home. Thankfully, you can right this wrong cheaply and quickly.

It might be time to get yourself a paper shredder if you haven’t already gotten one. Many thieves sift through trash for personal info and to figure out when you plan to be away. If you can not afford to purchase a paper shredder, just rip the paper into smaller pieces.

Your dog is a great tool for protecting your home from intruders. They generally bark when someone comes close to their property. The dog doesn’t have to be huge or even vicious. As long as he is noisy when strangers approach, he’s a great addition to the security of your home.

Always request that your house or pet sitter remove fliers from your door. Thieves sometimes place fliers on front doors and then wait to see if anyone removes them. If the flier is not moved, they know that the occupant is not around or on vacation.

Put the shades down on your windows when you are out. Leaving the curtains up invites people to peer into your living room. If a burglar sees something that is enticing, they are going to try and get it from your home. These should also be kept down while you’re sleeping.

One of the best home burglary systems is man’s best friend. They are protective about their territory, plus they make noises that keep burglars at bay. A big, vicious guard dog isn’t necessary. Small dogs also help, because intruders don’t want people to notice the barking.

Inquire into both purchase and lease options for your security system. 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. Sometimes it’s more affordable to begin with a lease, even though a continued lease may be costly in terms of ongoing higher monthly fees. You need to think about each option to think about what is right for your home.

If you live alone or with other responsible adults, there is no need to lock off areas of your home to prevent access. Install key-less locks instead. These locks use codes instead of keys. Either you or a security company can install them.

Don’t hide your keys in obvious places. It’s easy to see fake rocks. The thief will check under the mat before anything else. It is probably best to find someone you trust to hold a key for you. If that isn’t an option, be creative with a hiding spot.

Blinds, shades and curtains are best closed when no one is home. Potential intruders will see what you are doing and get an idea of how many valuables you own if you keep your blinds open. They may break in if they see things they like. Always close your curtains and blinds while sleeping.

It’s very important to close your curtains in the evening, especially where your home faces the street. You do not want to invite people peeking in through your window. If someone has the intention to burglarize your neighborhood, you would not want him to see your belongings and target your house. Be discreet when showing off what everyone can see, and you can be more likely to avoid burglaries.

Secure your true valuables in an area that is as safe as possible. Legal and financial documentation, IDs, pricey jewelry, and important mementos like family albums should be protected as carefully as possible. You can buy a cheap floor safe to put these items in. You could also look into getting a bank safe deposit box.

If your door is not solid wood or metal, replace it! This sort of door will deter intruders. Few people can kick down such a door. You ought to be able to get new exterior doors fairly cheaply, so make this a priority.

See if your security firm offers lighting that is motion-sensitive. These lights go on when something moves outside. You will find your entrances are well-lit and safe, as will intruders.

Taking steps to improve your home’s security is a much better plan than optimistically hoping it’ll never attract criminal attention. Don’t be scared, but do be cautious. Put the tips from the article to good use and protect your family and home.

An alarm system can be a powerful way to make your home more secure, as long as it actually notifies the authorities when it’s tripped. Purchase one that is centrally monitored and the police will come when it is activated. It is not easy to rely on neighbors for your safety.