Most people know home security is important, but many people do not understand it. It’s possible to protect your home if you know what information to study. Read on for some helpful tips that you can use to secure your home.

After getting a new home, make sure to change its locks. The previous owners or tenants might have made several copies of the key. Find a good locksmith who can replace the lock and make a few copies of your key. You should also do this if your keys ever get lost.

Buy a safe to keep all of your valuables in one place at home. Doing so can protect your valuables in the event of a robbery. Be sure to put your safe in an out of the way place like the basement, attic or under the floorboards.

Get rid of all of the dead wood and vegetation in your yard during the summer months. These can be fire hazards and can cause damage to your home. Make sure your yard is clean for the sake of your safety – and that of your family!

Get advice from your friends before selecting a provider for home security. You can learn a lot from people who have already dealt with these companies. Ask around so you’ll have as much advice as you need in order to make a sound decision.

Be more proactive when you are determining the safety of your neighborhood. Get to know other people who live next door and others in your neighborhood. Keep an eye out for their houses, and request that they return the favor. Never neglect gossip. You could learn important security information, such as if strangers have been lurking around the neighborhood.

Don’t let people into your home unless you know them. This includes a salesperson or people looking for help. Some folks will enter to scout for security systems, and upon seeing you lack one, will resolve to return at a later time.

When having a company install your security system, you must trust your feelings. 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. After all, the point of the system itself is to help you feel more at ease.

Be bold. Meet your neighbors. Ask them to keep an eye on your home, and do the same thing for them. Pay attention to gossip as well. You may find out helpful information about strangers lurking around.

Do you have skylights? If so, you should keep them in mind when protecting your home. While they are an excellent source of natural light, they are also an easy way for thieves to enter your home. Keep them secure with heavy duty hardware that closes them off to potential thieves.

If you reside in a small town or rural area, then you might not be as worried about someone breaking into your home as city dwellers may be. People who live in the country may even be more vulnerable because they do not have nearby neighbors. Others hold that burglars are not as likely to target rural areas.

Hide any valuables in wall spaces. It’s not necessary to cut out parts of your wall to do this. There are many places in your home that are pre-cut and available. If you have an electric socket you do not use, hide valuables behind their covers.

Skylights need to be secure, too. Skylights are a wonderful addition to any home, but they also tend to be weak spots that intruders take advantage of. The hardware that secures your skylights should be sturdy and durable.

If you bought any big or expensive things, wait until trash day to throw away the boxes. Doing so is like giving a burglar an invitation to target your home; he or she will know there is something good inside.

You can hide your valuable items inside your walls. You don’t have to cut pieces out of the walls. There are many spots in your home that already have areas that are pre-cut. How about unwiring your electric socket and using that as an area to stash your jewelry?

When allowing a representative from any security company to enter your home, look for someone in uniform and ask to see an identification. Potential burglars can easily claim they are security company representatives so that they can enter your home. This situation presents danger to your home, family and belongings. Act cautiously in order to stay away from potential dangers.

No one should be able to see your valuables from outside. Open curtains allow people to see inside your home and see exactly what you have. By reducing visibility into your home, you protect your belongings, safety, and you improve the interior beauty of your home.

Before you let anyone go into your home, look at their references thoroughly. Do not hesitate to hire someone to run a background check if you have doubts. You don’t know whether the contractor, maid, or repairman that you’ve hired is trustworthy and handing them your keys could be a costly mistake.

If you install a security system, make certain to hide the wires well. You do not want the wires exposed for easy manipulation. Make it hard for intruders and bury the wires or hide them inside your walls, if possible. You will be much safer.

Take advantage of the Internet while comparing your home security options. Review different websites and review comments from previous customers. With this information, you can contact the companies you feel comfortable with and compare the rates to each other.

Make sure you have several flashlights that are charged and ready to go in the event of a power outage. They will help you get around in case your entire home is dark. Your whole family should be trained on the proper use and maintenance of flashlights.

If you are going on a vacation, ask a neighbor to pick up your mail and check your home for flyers. Crafty burglars will leave fliers on homes, and check to see if they’re being removed as a means for determining whether or not the home is vacant. Intruders can get a good idea of what your schedule is like or figure out that you are on vacation if the flyer stays on your door for a long time.

Make sure to ask for identification for any home security company representative. Intruders could disguise themselves to inspect your home. This is dangerous for your family and your possessions. Act cautiously in order to stay away from potential dangers.

Put in a surveillance system. Having visible or hidden cameras can help immensely. Intruders can be deterred to visible cameras, but hidden cameras are better if criminals damage the other cameras. Many surveillance systems will allow you to access them through your cell phone; therefore, you can ensure your home is safe even when you’re gone.

Make sure your home’s exterior is well lit. A burglar prefers to sneak around in the dark, and a well lit house is always a deterrent. Install some outside lights so you can see everything outside. This extends to doorways, porches, garages and lower windows.

If you buy something that is expensive, you need to make sure you don’t leave empty boxes curbside. When burglars see these boxes, they will know you have them inside your home, making it more likely for them to break in. Cut the box up and hide the writing when you put it out.

Anytime you make a new electronics purchase, keep the boxes off the curb until the very last minute. 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.

Think about getting a hard-wired system if you have concerns about maintenance issues. Sure, wireless options are easier to use, but they consume battery power quickly. If you do forget to have them changed, the system will not work right. Also, having to replace batteries on a regular basis can quickly become costly.

If you live with children or others whom who don’t want entering some parts of the house, keys and lock sets aren’t the only option. Some locks will allow you to punch in a code to gain access to the room. These can be installed either by you, or a home security company.

Sliding glass doors can create a security issue in a home. Unlocking them is done simply by shaking and lifting the handle. If you don’t have your security system connected to them, try cutting some pipe to fit into your door channel. This keeps your door closed tightly and it will make it much harder to open forcibly.

Put the shades down on your windows when you are out. If you keep them up, intruders will be able to see right into your home. It could be enticing to break in if they notice something that’s nice. Do not forget to close your shades before going to bed.

Women have a higher chance of home invasion, particularly if they are known to live alone or with kids. One way to throw off would-be assailants is to put a large pair of muddy boots on the front porch, to suggest the presence of a big man. This keeps those criminals away for sure.

You should think about a wired system if maintenance is a concern. A wireless system required the regular replacement of many batteries. If the batteries are not changed, the system might not work at all. Also, frequent battery replacements can be costly.

Buy a security system from a reliable company instead of a re-seller. Resellers are usually all about making a profit, and they do not stand behind everything they sell. Whenever you buy straight from the company, you are assured you are paying the right price and that the equipment will cater to your needs.

Put in a door that is solid wood or metal. These doors are much more sturdy. If the burglar tries to kick their way in, they have a hard time doing so. You should be able to replace each of the exterior doors in your home for a minimal amount, so do so as soon as possible.

The wiring outside may be easily targeted by burglars and thieves. Electrical wires contain copper, which is extremely valuable. Concealing wiring can keep thieves from stripping copper from your things and leaving you with expensive repair costs.

Many people know how vital home security is in our lives. But, some people do not understand how to secure their homes and personal property. It is hoped that this information has helped you to know how to take charge of your home security.

Have the locks changed if you’re moving into a new home. This should be done for rented and bought homes. Do your own lock replacement, or see if a locksmith or landlord will do it.