Every homeowner needs to keep their family and home safe. Home invasions can be quite common, as well as natural disasters that damage houses. This article contains information on protecting your home, property and family.

Don’t ever let it be apparent that there is no one at home. Buy timers that will make your TVs, radios and other electronics turn on and turn off at various times. This way, your house will always look occupied. It is also another way to secure your home.

Home security systems offer other triggering features besides having an alarm sound. Modern systems are often capable of detecting any open door or window and announcing that fact. This could be valuable for parents who have small children, making them aware when their kid has closed or opened a door.

Place the spare key that you make on your dog. This is only true if yours in an outdoor dog, or your house is equipped with a doggie door. Just place your key on your dog’s collar.

Invest in a safe in order to secure very valuable items. This is essential, because you would never want valuable jewelry and other items to be seen by intruders. Hide your safe in a place that is hard to get to, like a basement closet or an attic.

Home security systems have additional features to just being noise alarms. They can actually be set to chime whenever a monitored door is opened. This is a valuable safety feature for parents of small children since they know if their child has exited the home.

Seek recommendations from friends and family when choosing a security company or system. It is probable that you will hear some great stories about some companies as well as some not so great stories about others. This can save you the hassle of having to research everything on your own. Ask around so that you can have the advice that you need to make a good choice.

If there are people you don’t know that have access to your social media sites, then you don’t want to let all of them know you’re on vacation. Although you may want to let others in on your excitement, it may inadvertently give burglars a heads up to target your property.

Don’t allow anyone you don’t know to look into your house. Remember that intruders have a lot of experience with tricking people. Some criminals will come in, case your house and then come back when you are away.

Take advantage of any and all security resources your local police force makes available to homeowners. Many police departments will offer expert advice, arrange inspections, sponsor neighborhood watches, and help you mark and register your valuables. Your police department will be able to help you find out what is available in your town.

Switch your locks. Maybe you had a roommate move out or have a disgruntled ex-lover, changing the locks is the best way to keep yourself safe. It is usually inexpensive and can be done in less than 24 hours.

If you have skylights, do not neglect them when making sure your home is secure. Skylights have a good function, but unfortunately they also often provide a way for a burglar to enter. Be certain that skylights in your home can be locked securely.

Keep the wires of your home security system hidden. You do not want the wires exposed for easy manipulation. To provide maximum security, wiring should be laid underground or installed safely within the walls of your house. This will make you much safer.

If you have just bought any pricey new goods, never toss the boxes onto the curb prior to the garbage man’s arrival. If you set these boxes out with the trash, thieves will know you have expensive items in your house.

If you are throwing away the box an expensive item came in, wait until trash day to put the box out. These boxes sitting outside your home serve as a flag for thieves to target your home.

You need flashlights and plenty of batteries in each room just in case your power ever goes out. Having these in an easy to find place will allow you to see in the dark much quicker. Train kids how to use the flashlights so that everyone may contribute.

Do you know how valuable the wires within your home are? Many people are not aware of this until they are stolen from their home. A skilled intruder could remove all the copper from your home within less than an hour. Make sure the wiring is concealed or difficult to access in order to keep this valuable item safe.

If you move into a home or apartment that has been previously lived in, the first thing you should do is change the locks. Although the tenant before might have turned their key in, they might still have a duplicate key. You might even install new locks yourself so that you know you have the only keys.

Before letting a home security representative inside, ask for identification. It is simple for a thief to pose as a representative of your home security company as a means of gaining access to your house. This means peril for what you own as well as your loved ones. Be careful if you want to avoid danger.

When allowing a representative from any security company to enter your home, look for someone in uniform and ask to see an identification. Criminals can easily pretend to be from a security firm as a means to gain entry to the house. This is dangerous to your valuables and your family. Make sure you are as cautious as you can be.

Be sure to read all of the fine print to any contracts you plan on signing for a security company. There may be hidden costs involved that you were not aware of. These are costs you’ll want to avoid.

Be sure to read all of the fine print to any contracts you plan on signing for a security company. There might be hidden costs or other things you should know about. You should avoid such expenses if you can, so make yourself aware.

Before signing up for home security, find out how long they’ve been in business. Any business with multiple years of history has a proven record in being reliable. When you know that you’re dealing with a company of some repute, you can feel more at ease making that decision.

Think about safety when designing your home. All of your windows and doors should be unobstructed by plants, shrubs, trees or fences. If they can be seen, people will not hide there and attempt a break-in. Put these features at a greater distance from your house; let beauty also complement safety.

Ask a home security company to come to your house and design a security system that is perfect for your needs. They should take your concerns seriously and address any issues you have. You’ll get the best protection by using a company that can tailor a plan to your requirements.

Always keep your home’s exterior well lit. Criminals love darkness to help mask their crimes. Make sure to have lights anywhere an intruder might enter. This can include garages, doorways, porches, and even near any windows on the ground floor.

Get a paper shredder. Thieves can often be found looking through garbage cans in search of personal information found on bills and credit card slips. If you can’t get a paper shredder, try ripping papers into smaller pieces.

Put the shades down on your windows when you are out. If you don’t, others can look in and see that the property is currently unoccupied. If something desirable is visible, you can expect a break in. Close your drapes or blinds while you are asleep, too.

Make sure a surveillance system is part of your home security system. Adding video cameras on the property can be a good idea. Visible cameras deter the majority of intruders, and if they try to disarm them, a camera that is hidden will keep capturing footage. Some security systems can be accessed with cell phones, so you can check on your house while you are away.

You need to take your car registration documents out of your car. This will prevent anyone from knowing where you reside. Hide them somewhere else in the car, or carry them with you. However, make sure you have them in case you were to get pulled over by the cops.

There’s an easy way to secure interior doors (if there are areas you want to keep housemates and children out of) without obliging you to carry a key-ring around at all times. Keyless locks require a code to unlock the door. You can even install it yourself.

Do you turn the lights on and off during the same time period? If so, consider a timer. This makes your life a bit easier, and it means that your lights will still be lit even if you are away from long periods of time.

If you want to hide your house key, find a spot that is not obvious. It is easy to spot a rock that is fake. Many people also know to check under the welcome mat. The most secure thing you can do is to entrust your key to a reliable neighbor or a friend you can count on. This will reduce the chances of a burglary.

Make sure you lock your second floor’s windows. Many people think a criminal won’t check them. Do not underestimate intruders. Criminals know very well that people think this way, and they will take advantage of that.

If you have an established routine for turning your lights on and off, consider investing in a timer. This is simpler for you to avoid flipping the switch and can make the lights turn off and on even if you’re gone a long time.

Deadbolts are the best locks for your doors because they contain captive keylocks. They include thumb latches that prevent anyone from breaking a window and reaching around to unlock the door. When you are home, keep the key inserted inside the lock so you can leave if there is a fire.

With everything out there that pose a threat to a house, all homeowners need to know what they can do to keep their precious asset safe. In this article, you will find excellent information on making your home secure and keeping your family safe. Use the above tips to make your home more secure.

Women are targets for thieves, especially those with kids. Set out oversized muddy boots on the front step to make it look like a large and active man lives there. This will make burglars think twice about breaking in.