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. Secure your home to prevent theft. You can pick up some great ideas for increasing the safety of your household by checking out the following article.

When you decide to purchase a home alarm system, make sure you comparison shop. Prices vary quite a bit. Get a quote from several companies before making a final decision.

Change all of your locks when you move in. You have no clue how many people were given keys by the former owner. Call a locksmith to make sure you’re the only one with access to your home. If you lose your keys, you should do the same thing.

When you’re picking out home security equipment and services, don’t forget to ask your friends and family for help. Your loved ones likely have dealt with this situation before. Ask around to get lots of advice for making a better choice.

Hiding places for spare keys must be chosen with extreme care and caution. Hiding it beneath the doormat is very common and most intruders will look there. One good place to hide a spare key is in the collar of a dog that does not take kindly to strangers.

Don’t let strangers enter your home. Do not give in, even if a person uses a convincing story, asks for help or says they are selling something. Some people just want to know if there is a security system so they can plan on coming back later or not.

Aim to purchase fire-resistant ceilings, roofs and floors. This will give your home added security. Fire is such a destructive force that it makes excellent sense to reduce fire hazards in your home whenever possible.

See if your area police department has any home security programs. They may offer things such as home inspections, engraving tool loans, and other guidance about securing your house. Talk with local police to see if they offer these programs.

If you have a lot of unfamiliar people on you social networking accounts, avoid letting everyone know you will be going on vacation. Although it’s fun to talk about, posting it online makes it more possible for criminals to find out when you’re gone.

When dealing with a company installing your home security system, it is important that you trust your gut. This is doubly true when you feel unease about the installers. Never hesitate to has for a new technician or even go with a different company altogether. Remember, the new security apparatus is meant to make you feel safe and secure.

You should never open your door to someone you do not know. Nowadays, people invent many stories of why they should come in. For instance, they may say they need to call a mechanic or the police. However, their true intent is to rob you. Make a house rule forbidding anyone to open the door for an unexpected visitor.

If you live more out in the country, you may think that you’re not at risk. Due to the distance between neighbors, some think rural areas are more likely to have intruders. Still there are those that think that burglars are not as likely to target rural areas.

Home protection program details may be available at your police station. The police can offer you some great advice, help you engrave valuables and even come check out your home. Call them up to find out more.

Walls are a great hiding spot for your valuables. You can hide small valuables in your walls. You could use a phone jack, electrical outlet or a switch plate. If there are no unused plates, you can easily install fake ones.

Install lights that use a motion-sensor. When a person approaches your home, the lights will blaze. These lights will not only let you know when someone gets too close, they will also stop potential burglars from breaking in. After all, burglars don’t want anyone to know they are there. Remember to keep working bulbs in them at all times.

Purchase an alarm system that has a few “bells and whistles;” you don’t just need protection for your doors. Your windows are easy entry points for crooks too. Be certain they are also alarmed and monitored. You want the best security possible for your family.

Walls can serve as a handy hiding place. Small valuables fit nicely inside walls. You could use a phone jack, electrical outlet or a switch plate. You can also install a fake one.

Keep flashlights in your rooms. They will help you get around in case your entire home is dark. Your kids should know how to work the flashlights so that everyone can help.

Do not hide your spare key under your doormat or in a nearby planter. You might think that you are providing yourself a safe way into the house if you misplace your keys, but you are really inviting attackers inside. Any thief knows all the typical hiding spots. A better option is to entrust an honest neighbor with a spare key.

If you move to a dwelling that has had prior occupants, make sure you get the locks changed. Although the previous owner should not have a key, there is no way for you to know this. You can also put the locks on yourself so you can be sure no one else has a key.

Don’t give outside people the ability to see into your home. While having huge windows may be good for letting in light and viewing what is outside, it also gives potential thieves a good look in your own home. Be sure to put curtains on your front-facing windows so people can’t see your valuable belongings.

Always check references before letting anyone work on your home. Don’t be afraid of conducting background checks to determine if they have a criminal history. It is not a good idea to give anyone a key to your home, even contractors or repairmen.

Be prepared for the worst contingency when it comes to criminal threats. You do not need to live in fear, but you must be cautious. Keep these ideas in mind as you go about boosting the security of your home.

Be sure to read all of the fine print to any contracts you plan on signing for a security company. They sometimes have hidden costs if you let go of them prior to the contract expiring. Try avoiding these fees when you can so that you know about them.