Learning the basics of home security is something that all homeowners need to do. But with such a vast amount of information, it is necessary to find way that suit your needs. By reading this article, you’ll get a good overview of the basics of home security.

Don’t post online when you’ll be away from your home. If you do, burglars will know you’re not home and strike.

It is a good idea to replace all the locks on the new home you buy. The person who previously owned the home may have made copies of keys. To make sure you have the only access to the home, hire a locksmith. Also, if you ever lose your keys, do the same.

Don’t allow a complete stranger to come in your home. People try many ways to convince others to open up their doors so that they can commit burglary or worse. Make a house rule forbidding anyone to open the door for an unexpected visitor.

See what the local police offer when it comes to home protection programs. There are many that offer programs that include items, such as home inspection, how to use engraving tools to mark code numbers to identify valuables if yours are stolen, and protective measures advice. A quick call to the non-emergency number at the police station in your town will tell you all you need to know.

When looking for a system to secure your home, do comparison shopping. Prices for home security systems can vary and they do not all offer the same services. Before choosing which company to go with, ask for quotes from a minimum of three companies.

Keep your car in the garage. Keeping the car inside is a good way to keep criminals from stealing or harming it. It will also keep any intruders from knowing when you’re home.

Be bold. Build up a rapport with the people who own homes close to yours. Ask them to keep an eye on your home, and do the same thing for them. Don’t ignore the gossip. You might actually learn a thing or two concerning people that have been hanging around.

Don’t let everyone in your social network know that you are leaving the home unprotected for your vacation trip; especially the people who you aren’t familiar with. Potential intruders could get a good idea of when you will be gone by monitoring what you share on social networks.

Before allowing someone into your house, be sure to carefully check their references. You should do a background check as well to find out their criminal history. You never know if the maid, repairman or contractor you hire is on the up and up, and letting them in or giving them a key could be a fatal mistake.

You want to know what is included in a contract if you’re signing up with a security company. There are sometimes fees if you break a contract or need additional equipment. You can easily avoid these fees if you do your research.

Solicit word of mouth recommendations from friends, colleagues and family members to find a great home security company or system. Others have likely had both good and bad experiences that they can share with you that can then save you a lot of stress and time. Making a great choice is important, so this advice will come in handy.

Take advantage of the Internet while comparing your home security options. Look at various sites and read customer testimonials, along with details on various packages. Put together a list of the different home security companies you want to know more about and give them a call.

Don’t limit security to the inside of your home; the outside needs attention too. You should have a clear view out of all your windows and an unobstructed path to any doors. If these things can be seen by the naked eye, they won’t offer hiding places to potential criminals. For a beautiful yard that’s also safe, keep the landscaping separated from the house.

You have a choice on who installs your security system, don’t be afraid to say no if something doesn’t feel right. You should be very picky when it comes to letting people inspect your home. Don’t hesitate asking for another technician or get another company. You need to feel secure with the entire process.

Get your home security system custom built for your needs. Each customer wants certain things as far as home security goes. If there is a company that can come up with a customized plan, you will get what you really need.

The outside of your house should be well lit. Burglars like committing crimes in the darkness. Motion sensor lights can work great because they can also alert you when someone does come onto the property. This includes porches and doorways, the garage, as well as ground floor windows, which can invite an intruder.

Get creative and hide valuables inside your walls. You don’t have to damage the walls to do so. There should be pre-cut spaces throughout your home that will suffice. For example, place jewelry in an unused electrical outlet.

Security Systems

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. Understand completely the risks and rewards in order to make an informed purchase decision.

When you pick an alarm system, it’s a good idea to get one that provides protection for both doors and windows. Windows offer easy access to a potential thief. You want a security system that monitors all your windows and doors. This is the pinnacle of safety.

Purchase a paper shredder to prevent your discarded papers from providing burglars with valuable information. Thieves may look through your garbage for information. If you can’t get a paper shredder, try ripping papers into smaller pieces.

Ask the company if they offer systems for lease and sale. You can avoid interest rates by buying the security system right away. Although leasing is usually cheaper, you may have to fill out contracts and you will have higher monthly costs. Explore both options to see which works best for you.

If you are moving into a home that had a previous owner, then you should immediately change the locks. The person who used to live there may still have a key. You can also put the locks on yourself so you can be sure no one else has a key.

When you don’t want to spend a lot on maintenance, go for a hard-wired system. The wireless ones are convenient, however, they need multiple battery sets that must be changed frequently. If you do not stay on top of your wireless security system, you run the possibility of it failing when you need it most. What you spend on batteries, additionally, can really add up!

Set up a timer to turn your lights off and on at regular intervals. Not only does this save you a step, you can continue the routine even when you are not home.

You can make your home safer by investing in some motion detectors and outside lights. In the dark hours, these lights will provide the illumination necessary to protect your home and also save money by staying off when they’re not needed. Whenever you properly position these lights, they will make it almost impossible for burglars to sneak in.

Every homeowner needs to learn about home security. Unfortunately, separating the good information from the chaff can be quite a job. Just review the tips given here to help you make your home secure.