Home security is an important topic to many, but it is also one that not enough people understand sufficiently. The best way to know how to truly protect your home and its contents is to study the subject as comprehensively as you can. Keep reading to learn some valuable pointers on securing your home.

After you buy your new house, get new locks. You don’t know the exact number of copies of that key the previous owners have or have handed out. To ensure that you are the only one who has access to your house, call a locksmith. You should also have your locks changed if you lose your keys.

Home security systems do more than sounding an alarm in case of a break in. Most systems could sound an alarm when someone enters the home. This can be valuable to parents with small children as they are made aware their child has opened or closed a door.

Do you have a dog that stays in your yard when you’re not at home? If so, the dog can be a terrific spot to keep a spare key. The key can be attached to the collar of your dog. This will ensure that burglars cannot see it. This is the perfect place to store a spare key, especially if your dog doesn’t care for strangers.

Check around for prices, reputation, and reliability when choosing a home security provider. Most companies have different price schemes for the the same general level of protection. Get three quotes or more before making a choice.

Your flooring and roofing should be fire resistant. This is a good way to protect your home against fires, for instance if you live near power lines or in a dry area. Preventing a fire is important since it can cause a lot of damage.

You should never open your door to someone you do not know. Many people are devising many different schemes to get into homes and burglarize them. Make it mandatory that doors in your home are only opened for expected visitors.

When summer comes around, eliminate all vegetation and dead wood from your yard. This sort of thing is a fire hazard in the heat of summer. Regularly clear away your yard to keep your home in good standing and safe for your family.

Home protection program details may be available at your police station. Many have quite a few helpful programs that you take, like on self-defense or other things related to your home. Your police department will be able to help you find out what is available in your town.

Home protection program details may be available at your police station. Some police departments offer things like code numbers to help find your valuables should they get stolen. Get in touch with the department to determine their offerings.

Regardless of the type of home security system you choose, be sure to have regular inspections and maintenance performed. Have a worker from the security company take a look at it. Mother nature can sneak in and cause many problems. If you cannot see a problem, you might not know one exists.

If you live in a rural area, you may not be as concerned about home break-ins as people who live in the city. The risk is still there, so a home security system is vital. However, understand that regardless of where you live, a theft can occur anywhere. Therefore, you need to be prepared.

When dealing with companies that install home security systems, it’s important to trust your gut. This is very true when you feel uneasy about the person installing the system. Ask for someone else to come out or switch companies. You need to feel secure with the entire process.

Even the wires inside your home are worth something. Many people never realize this value until wires are stolen right out of their home. A skilled intruder could remove all the copper from your home within less than an hour. Hide the wiring and make it harder to access to prevent this from happening.

If you do not reside in a big city, you may not worry as much about home burglaries. Others think that living in the country is more risky than other areas because houses are so far apart. Some think rural areas see less burglary.

Perform landscaping for your home which enhances your home’s safety. Doors and windows should not be obstructed by trees, plants or shrubs. If windows and doors can be easily seen from all areas, then burglars cannot hide as well, which will hinder their plans. Keep this in mind as you design.

A skylight is another area that needs to be protected for home security. Skylights are great for making a home brighter, but they can make it easier for burglars to access the house. You should have them equipped with strong, sturdy hardware.

Maintain the exterior areas in your house so they are well lit. Burglars like using darkness to hide. The most important parts of your home to light are all of its potential access points. Be sure to consider your front and back porch, garage, ground floor windows and any basement entryway.

Walls are great for hiding things. This is a great way to hide jewelry, for example. Repurpose phone jacks and electrical outlets as tiny wall safes. If you’re using all your outlets, you can install phony ones.

Before you think about home security, consider personal security and safety. Although these systems can protect you and your family, not everybody needs them. In certain areas, it may be just as useful to learn self defense or buy a dog, whereas other places may require added measures. Understanding your neighborhood, risks and budget constraints can help you to make the best choices.

Don’t give outside people the ability to see into your home. If you have big windows near your big entertainment system, it can seem like an invitation to thieves. If your windows face a street, be sure they’re always covered and have your valuables safe.

Wireless alarm systems are a great investment. These systems are much more efficient and can save you time and hassle. A wireless system is easy to install, and will not become inoperable if your power goes out.

Prior to allowing access to anyone, make sure you are shown proper identification. A background check may also be a good idea. You need to be very careful with the contractors, repairmen or maids you trust with being alone in your home.

If you haven’t gotten a paper shredder, it may be time to purchase one. Thieves may look through your garbage for information. If you don’t want a shredder, rip the papers up manually.

Having your house lit up during the night is a good way to scare intruders. They do not want to be seen. If your home is well lit, thieves won’t have any place to hide, so they may not want to steal anything from you. Keep lights on during the night.

If you are going to be out of town for more than a day or so, have someone check your mailbox and door for mail and fliers. This is a way people who are casing out your house can tell whether you are home or not. If the flier isn’t removed, the burglar knows the homeowner isn’t there.

You should find a home security company that will inspect your home and put together a customized system. Every homeowner has specific needs for their home and their family. The right company will make you feel more safe and secure in your home.

The best method to maintain a thief from going into the garage is making sure nobody can see inside. If your garage door has windows, make sure they have a frosted coating. This is easy to find at any major hardware store, and installation is a breeze. Do not leave doors open for lengthy periods while you are doing work.

If you are going on a vacation, ask a neighbor to pick up your mail and check your home for flyers. Some burglars place fliers to see if they’ll be quickly removed. By your neighbor taking the flyer, it appears as if you got it yourself.

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. After removing the contents from these boxes, tear or cut them up.

Consider a surveillance system for your home and property. This will allow you to see who is around your house. Visible cameras deter many intruders, but if they disable the cameras that they can see, your hidden camera can record the action. You can often view these feeds over the Internet, too.

A great protection against burglars is owning a dog. Dogs can be extremely protective of their space and are great at barking when something is afoot. It is not necessary to have an aggressive dog. Even small dogs can deter criminals just by making noise when something is afoot.

Keeping thieves from the contents of your garage can be as simple as making sure they can’t easily look inside. Be sure and shade your windows with window frosting, something that you can purchase at any hardware store, so as to keep people from looking in your house. It’s also a good idea to avoid leaving your garage door open for any longer than absolutely necessary, even if you’re at home.

If you want to keep certain rooms in your home private, you don’t need to lock every door with a key. Use a code-access lock for any door you don’t want others opening. You can install them yourself or you can hire a home security firm.

You might think that your home is secure. Many feel lost when it comes to choosing a home security system. Consider the information that has been given to you as a resource for making sure your home is safe.

Don’t hide your key somewhere obvious. Rocks that aren’t real are easy to notice. Another obvious location is underneath the doormat. This will be one of the first places that a burglar will look for your spare key. It’s better to ask a trusted friend or neighbor to hold your extra key. If you have no choice but to hide a spare key, apply some inventive, out-of-the-box thinking when you do it.