Every homeowner needs to take active steps to maintain home security. But, home invasions are very common these days, just as much other damage is, like floods and fires. Keep reading this piece to find out what it takes to make your home secure.

Home security systems offer additional features besides loud alarms during a break-in. You can have your system alert you of any movement in certain areas of your home. If you have little ones wandering about the house, this makes it easy for you to know if they have come in or gone out.

Look at the prices for all of the security systems that you are interested in. 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. Be certain to obtain multiple quotes prior to making your choice.

Comparison shop when you are ready to buy a home security system. The prices can vary a great deal for the same level of protection from company to company. Be sure and get a minimum of three quotes from different companies prior to choosing one.

Don’t talk about your vacations on social media. It can be exciting to tell everyone about your vacation, but you could potentially be letting a burglar in on your whereabouts.

Hide your spare key in a place where no one would think to look for it. Above doors or under doormats are much too common to hide them and potential criminals will check them first. Try hiding your key on a lawn statue or in a potted plant.

Don’t let any person you don’t completely know into your house. Even if someone has a good story, requires help or has a great product to sell, ignore them. These people might want to actually do you harm or could be casing out your house for a future break-in.

Get in the habit of checking your security system regularly. Ask a home security employee to give it a look. Many factors cause issues with security systems like nature and wild animals. The problem might not be obvious to you, though.

Purchase ceiling, flooring and roofing that is fire resistant. This adds an extra layer of protection to your home, especially if you live in a very dry area with power lines. Because of the amount of damage fires can cause, it is important to protect your home from them.

Try installing motion-sensor lights. Lights like these will automatically turn on whenever someone is near them. They help notify you of any movement around your house and deter burglars too. Just do not forget to replace the bulbs periodically to keep them functioning at all times.

Don’t think you’re not at risk just because you don’t live in a big city. There are some who believe country folk are more at risk because neighbors are not nearby. Some think rural areas see less burglary.

Do not post on your social media accounts regarding when you will be away on vacation. You may be very excited about your impending vacation, but there is no need to let potential burglars know when you will be gone.

You can hide things in your walls. You can hide small valuables in your walls. Just take advantage of the phone jack, electrical outlet or unused switch plate. You can also just put in a false plate to cover a hiding place.

Always lock your home, regardless of how short your trip out is. Break-ins are often the result of unlocked windows and doors. A burglar can steal a lot of expensive stuff in a short amount of time.

Don’t allow anyone you don’t know to look into your house. Even if this stranger has a believable story or is trying to sell you something, do not let them in. There are people that just want to go into your home to see if you’ve got a type of home security system, and if they see that you don’t, they’ll return when you’re not home.

Always ask for references before letting a contractor or a maid in your home. Don’t be afraid of conducting background checks to determine if they have a criminal history. You do not know if the people you hire are trustworthy, so do not give them a key to your home.

A simple way to increase your home security is to add motion lights around the house. These lights will keep your property well lit and give you a good idea of who approaches your home. If you position motion detectors properly, it is very hard for someone to sneak onto the property.

Use your garage for what it was intended: your car. Keeping the car in the garage can keep thieves from vandalizing or stealing it. Additionally, if your car is put away, burglars will not be able to tell whether or not you are home.

Whenever seeking out home-security companies, the Internet can be a valuable resource, so utilize it. Review different websites and review comments from previous customers. Also find other companies to get quotes from as well.

Before signing up for a particular home-security company, find out how long they’ve been around. A long-standing company has a track record in the industry that people can attest to. You get better peace of mind if you deal with someone you know you can trust for the long haul.

Be more proactive when you are determining the safety of your neighborhood. Converse with those living in your area. Keep on eye on their home and ask neighbors to return the favor. Don’t discount what sounds like idle gossip. You will learn a lot from your neighbors, including details about recent break ins in the area and the shady individuals they noticed.

Consider all of your individual security needs before looking into any alarm systems. Some systems might not be adaptable to your situation. In certain areas, it may be just as useful to learn self defense or buy a dog, whereas other places may require added measures. Understand completely the risks and rewards in order to make an informed purchase decision.

If you purchase pricey, new electronics, don’t place empty boxes on the curb. Burglars will notice these boxes and know what kind of valuables you have. When you empty the boxes, cut them up and throw them away so that burglars do not see them.

Don’t ever place your spare key under your mat or next you a plant box. These are the first places criminals will look when they try to enter your home. Intruders know about the usual hiding spots. Rather, give your key to a neighbor you find trustworthy.

A dog is a great alarm system. Dogs protect their territory diligently, and tend to make noise if something goes awry. It doesn’t even have to be a big tough dog. A small or medium dog will bark to alert you if it is properly trained.

Always keep valuables you can’t replace secure. It is best to keep items such as passports, legal documents, photos and financial records in a spot that is secure. A floor safe could be a good place for you to keep these things inside your house. Safety deposit boxes are another great idea.

Your valuables should not be easily seen from outside your home. You might enjoy large windows so you can see out, but just remember that makes it easier for those burglars to see inside your home as well. If you have windows that face the street, always keep them covered and keep your valuables safe.

Look for captive keylocks when picking out a new deadbolt. Deadbolts have thumb latches that prevent people from reaching around them to open it. When you are home, keep the key inserted inside the lock so you can leave if there is a fire.

There are many security benefits to having a large dog. Obviously, burglars will be afraid of being attacked by a large dog. Get a dog that is friendly and good with your kids, while also being a good protector.

Keep safety at the forefront as you landscape. Windows should be free from obstructions like trees, shrubs and fencing. If these things can be seen by the naked eye, they won’t offer hiding places to potential criminals. This will give your home additional safety.

Refrain from buying a security system from a re-seller. This is because a re-seller might not give you the same level of service that the company will. You can avoid these additional fees and have access to quality service by going through a reliable company.

Many things can affect the safety of your home, and it’s important that you consider many different things. The above article have you some advice on how you can make your home safer. Use these concepts as a means to increase the safety level of your home.

You want the security company to actually come to your house and install the system according to your needs. Each situation is different. If you have found a company that could cater to your needs, then it is easy to get the security that will make you and your loved ones comfortable.