The safety of your home and family is of utmost importance. Sadly, burglaries in people’s homes are becoming increasingly common, in addition to the extensive risks posed by floods or fires. You should keep reading to find out more about how to keep your home safe.

Have your home always look occupied. You can purchase timers that can control your household electronics such as lights, TVs and radios. This will give your home the appearance of someone being there. This will keep people from breaking in.

Your home should always look like it is occupied. Timers can be used to turn lights and televisions on and off when required. This will make your home appear as if someone is there. This will help to deter burglars.

Home security systems are able to do more than just sounding the alarm whenever you have an intruder. Many systems can be used to go off whenever anyone enters your home. This can be useful if you’ve got small children that are able to open doors.

Always change the locks after moving into a new home. There is no way to ascertain how many keys the previous owner handed out. Find a good locksmith who can replace the lock and make a few copies of your key. Make sure you do the same thing if you lose your keys sometime.

Use motion sensor lights. If someone enters their proximity, they will light automatically. These lights will make you aware of, and can also scare off, potential burglars. Don’t forget to replace the bulbs when they burn out.

Spare Key

Conceal valuable spaces within your walls. This doesn’t require tearing into your walls, of course. There are lots of places around the home that have pre-cut areas that you can use. Consider unwiring an electrical socket that isn’t used and storing your valuable jewelry.

If you want to have a spare key hidden outside of your home, hide it carefully. Common places to hide a spare key are above your door frame or underneath your doormat. Therefore, thieves are more likely to check these places out first. You should hide it in your dog’s collar.

Make sure that none of your valuables can be seen from the outside. 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. You always want to make sure you keep your valuables covered if they are by a window.

You should never give details about your vacations and other plans on social networks. It’s natural to be excited about your trip, but this is as good as throwing out the welcome mat for people who know your home is unoccupied.

When selecting a home alarm system, choose one that protects many areas of your home, not just the doors. All of your windows are possible entry points for a thief too. Be sure your alarm is secured to them all and that monitoring is in place for every point of entry. This is a way to make sure your family will be safe.

Before selecting a security firm, ask for recommendations. This will help you to reduce the stress that you have on your search for a good one. Ask a few different people to help you make the best choice.

If you have a home security system installed, make sure the wires are hidden. One of the ways an intruder can get around a security system is by disconnecting or cutting the wires. Do not make things simple for a burglar, but rather bury all wires or hide them in the wall. This way, you will be safer.

If you will be vacationing for an extended period of time, turn off the ringer on all the phones in your house. If your phone rings and is not being answered, criminals will realize that you’re away.

Before you give a security company employee access to your home, make sure they’re in uniform and that they present acceptable identification. Potential burglars can easily claim they are security company representatives so that they can enter your home. Intruders could disguise themselves as home security representatives to inspect your current security system. Be cautious to stay safe.

Police Department

Screen the references of anyone who would have access to your house. Be sure to perform a background check and look for any criminal history that might be in evidence. You need to be very careful with the contractors, repairmen or maids you trust with being alone in your home.

Check with the police department in your town for home security tips and advice. Many police departments will offer expert advice, arrange inspections, sponsor neighborhood watches, and help you mark and register your valuables. Call the local police department and inquire as to what programs they offer.

You should think about your own safety when comparing different home security options. Some systems aren’t necessary for some, while others may have a need for them. Some neighborhoods feel more safe than others, but a good security system definitely makes you feel more safe. Understanding your needs will help you make a good purchase decision.

The first thing to do is get your locks changed out. As time passes, keys end up getting into the wrong hands. Most locksmiths can accomplish the job within 24 hours.

Shred any documents and junk mail that contains identifying information. Your trash contains so much personal information a thief would love to have. If you can’t afford to buy a paper shredder, tear your papers up into tiny bits before throwing them away.

A secure hiding place can be created in a wall. Keep small, valuable items inside the walls of your home. All you have to do is place them behind any unused phone jack, electrical outlet or switch plate. You put in a fake plate if there aren’t any unused in your home.

Keep your windows covered if you’re out. Keeping them up can let intruders see directly inside your home. They may break in if they see things they like. Always close your curtains and blinds while sleeping.

Avoid leaving spare keys outside of your home. Though you might think that you’re giving yourself something you could use to get into your house when you’ve lost your keys, you’re actually inviting intruders inside your house. Potential burglars know the usual hiding places. Rather, give the key to a neighbor to hold.

If you want maximum security, make sure that your exterior doors are either solid wood or metal. This sort of door will deter intruders. The heavier sturdy doors make it much harder for an intruder to gain access to your home. You are probably able to replace your exterior doors for a small price, so do that soon.

No one should be able to see your valuables from outside. While having huge windows may be good for letting in light and viewing what is outside, it also gives potential thieves a good look in your own home. Keep your curtains drawn to keep your valuable items safe.

Deadbolts featuring captive keylocks are usually your wisest choice. They have a thumb latch, making it impossible for someone to break the window, reach in and turn them. If you are going out, simply lodge the key on the lock.

It is important that your alarm system wiring is not exposed anywhere. Many intruders bypass a security system by cutting the wires. Keep the wires hidden in the walls or underground to keep intruders from getting in. You will be much more safe.

Women living alone or with just children are targeted more often than others. Put muddy boots on the doorstep so that it appears there is a big man that lives in your home. Burglars should pass on by.

Rotted Wood

While locks which are sealed up on the inside are dandy, if you can’t lock it from the outside, it won’t be of much use. Therefore, a deadbolt is a great selection; it will make things very difficult for a burglar.

Replace rotten wood on your door frame. Rotted wood causes a serious weakness in your home’s security because it makes it easy to pry open doors. Therefore, replace rotted wood with fresh wood to ensure your home’s safety.

Don’t purchase your home 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. When dealing directly with the company, you can rest assured that you are not paying additional fees, and also that the company will be there to continuously service your equipment.

Flashlights in your home should always have newer batteries if your power goes out. This is important for you to be able to see should your power go out or you suffer an emergency. Be sure everyone in your family is aware of the location of emergency flashlights.

External wiring is an attractive prize for thieves. Copper, which is found in electrical wiring and components, can be sold for a lot of money. Conceal the wiring in your home so intruders cannot remove it or you will have to spend a lot on repairs.

If you are moving into a home that had a previous owner, then you should immediately change the locks. You do not want anyone to have a copy of the key. You can install locks yourself to make sure you’re the only one who has a key.

Try to screen the interior of your home from being seen from the exterior. If expensive electronics are easy to see from the outside, burglars will see them as well. Consider putting in drapes or blinds in order to prevent people outside your home from seeing your interior furnishings. Keep your most valuable items away from windows.

When searching for methods of improving your home’s security, a great, inexpensive method of doing this is purchasing exterior lights with installed motion detectors. This is a fairly inexpensive way to provide light and security to your property. Whenever you properly position these lights, they will make it almost impossible for burglars to sneak in.

If your home has window-mounted air conditioning units, ensure that each one is secure and cannot be dislodged. Burglars can easily move the units and enter the home, otherwise. Remove your air conditioner unit from the window during the winter.

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. This article is full of excellent ideas on how to protect your home from virtually any threat. Implement all these ideas in order to get the most out of your home security efforts.

Consider installing infrared detection lights. These lights illuminate whenever someone approaches your home. This will deter most burglars. A burglar will instantly turn away if lights come on.