Home security is something you need to know more about so you can keep your family safe. There are a lot of different purchases that you can make to keep your home secure. Read this article to learn excellent tips on ensuring your home’s safety.

Let a house cleaner have your keys only if they can provide you with references so you can verify their trustworthiness. You need to ensure that they are honest and reputable according to references before you have handed over the key. Be sure to make sure their references check out. If applicable, call the BBB to inquire about their reputation.

Before selecting any home-security company, talk to your friends to see who they suggest. Most will be willing to share their likes, loves and loathes, especially as they realize how important it is to you. Taking a little time to listen can make you a much better decision maker when it comes to home security.

Does your dog stay outside while you are gone? Your furry friend is also a great storage place for your extra key. Put it on their collar. If your dog does not like strangers, this can help ensure consistent access to the house.

Install lights that use a motion-sensor. They’ll flip on when people walk within a certain distance of your house. They will notify you of any movement and can deter any possible burglars since they like remaining inconspicuous. But keep in mind that the bulbs to the security light should be routinely changed to ensure that the deterrent system functions properly.

Get roofing, flooring and ceilings that are fire resistant. This ensures your home won’t be a tinderbox. Stopping fire hazards is a key precaution to take since the damage it causes can be considerable.

You have a choice on who installs your security system, don’t be afraid to say no if something doesn’t feel right. You should be very picky when it comes to letting people inspect your home. Do not hesitate to ask for a different person to install the system or even consider hiring a different company. Ultimately, the whole point is for you to have peace of mind.

Before agreeing to work with a security company, check with your friends and family for recommendations. Your friends have gone through both bad and good experiences and they will be able to share them with you. Sometimes, you may get great advice from the people you know.

Walls can be a great hiding spot. Jewelry and other small items can be protected very well when placed in hiding places in your walls. You could use a phone jack, electrical outlet or a switch plate. If you use all of them, you can always have fake ones installed.

Check with your local law enforcement agency about home protection plans. Your local police department will help you with preventive measures, inspect your home and show you how to mark your valuables so they can easily be found. Ask your police department to see if these types of programs are available.

Never place a spare key in a plant box or under your welcome mat. These seem like great places for you when you misplace your key. Potential burglars know the usual hiding places. A better solution is to give your key to a neighbor you trust.

Don’t be shy. Talk to your neighbors. Watch their homes for suspicious activity and get their word that they will do the same thing for you. Don’t disregard gossip either. You will learn a lot from your neighbors, including details about recent break ins in the area and the shady individuals they noticed.

Even if you’re not going to be gone long, keep your home locked. In a lot of cases, home intruders enter through unlocked doors. A thief can take plenty of valuables in minutes.

Meet with representatives from the security company you are considering to determine if they are trustworthy. This is doubly true when you feel unease about the installers. Don’t hesitate asking for another technician or get another company. The point of that system is to feel safer after all.

Do not choose a home alarm system that monitors only your doors. Windows offer easy access to a potential thief. Every single entry point needs to have monitoring on it. This helps ensure your family stays safe.

When securing your home, don’t forget about skylights. Skylights are commonly used by thieves to enter a home. You should have them equipped with strong, sturdy hardware.

While an alarm system or other security measures can make your home much safer, you must be sure that your security wiring isn’t exposed. You do not want the wires exposed for easy manipulation. Make sure the wires are installed inside the walls of your home. It will keep your family safer.

It is important that your alarm system wiring is not exposed anywhere. You don’t want a burglar to get access to them and disable your system. This is why it is so important to make sure all your wires are well hidden. You will be much safer.

One relatively inexpensive way to add an extra layer of protection to your home is to install motion sensor lights for the exterior of your home. These lights not only give off light at night, but can also offer security around your home. If strategically placed, motion detectors ensure that it’s difficult for intruders to break into your home sight unseen.

If you bought any big or expensive things, wait until trash day to throw away the boxes. If you set these boxes out with the trash, thieves will know you have expensive items in your house.

Doing Business

Remove and replace any wood that is not up to par. A burglar can easily strip away wood that has rotted. As a result, this will assist them in breaking into your home. Always replace rotting wood with fresh wood immediately to keep your house strong and secure.

It is a good idea to get some history on any home security companies you are thinking about doing business with. Companies that have been around for years have shown that they know the industry and that their services are reliable and great enough for recommendations. It can ease your mind when you know you’re not doing business with a company that might not be around tomorrow.

If you move into a home or apartment that has been previously lived in, the first thing you should do is change the locks. They previous occupants may have made copies of the keys. If you own, you can have the locks replaced and only you will have had the key.

People know that their home has to be safe. Many feel lost when it comes to choosing a home security system. It is hoped that this information has helped you to know how to take charge of your home security.

You need to make sure you’re making use of the Internet when looking at different home security companies. Go through different websites and investigate testimonials about different companies and packages. Then, you can set appointments to make price and service comparisons before you choose.