Do you want to buy a security system for your home? Lots of folks buy them before they think about whether they actually need one. Always locking your windows and doors, along with a few other simple steps may be just what you need.

Don’t ever let it be apparent that there is no one at home. Buy timers so things will go on and off at different times. This helps to create the illusion that someone is presently at home. This is a simple way to improve your home’s safety and make it less attractive to criminals.

Be sure your home always looks occupied. Buy timers so things will go on and off at different times. This makes it look as though people are home no matter what. This is a great way to keep your home safe and avoid burglaries.

Always change the locks after moving into a new home. You don’t know who might have a key. Speak with a locksmith to get a unique lock for your home. Also, you can contact a locksmith if you ever misplace your keys.

Does your dog like to play in your yard? You might consider leaving your spare key with your dog. Conceal it in the dog’s collar. This is an especially good idea if your dog doesn’t like strangers, and gives you easy access to get in your home.

After you purchase a new home, change the locks. The previous owners or tenants might have made several copies of the key. To ensure that you are the only one who has access to your house, call a locksmith. Make sure you do the same thing if you lose your keys sometime.

Get to know your neighbors. Engage your neighbors in conversation. Keep an eye out for their houses, and request that they return the favor. Don’t disregard gossip either. You may hear valuable information regarding security, such as if any strangers have been hanging around.

Motion sensor lights are a great investment. They’ll flip on when people walk within a certain distance of your house. This is a good way of knowing who comes near your home and keeps you safe if you ever come home late. Remember to keep working bulbs in them at all times.

Home security systems have additional features to just being noise alarms. Many systems can be used to go off whenever anyone enters your home. This is a good way to know if your small child has opened a door or closed it.

Rural Areas

People in rural areas are not usually as worried about burglaries as people in cities. Due to the distance between neighbors, some think rural areas are more likely to have intruders. Some people think burglaries are less prevalent in rural parts.

Purchase a safe to lock all of the extremely valuable items in your home in one place. You would hate for your expensive jewelry, personal family belongings, etc. to be stolen in case a burglar breaks into your home. Hide your safe in a place that is hard to get to, like a basement closet or an attic.

Don’t ever place your spare key under your mat or next you a plant box. You are allowing people to invade your home when you make it easy for them. Burglars are well aware of such hiding places. Give it to a neighbor you trust instead.

Always lock your home when you leave it, no matter how soon you plan to return. It is more common than you would believe for a thief to find a home, try the door and walk right in when it’s unlocked. It won’t take long for thieves to steal lots of expensive valuables.

Don’t open up your door for someone who is a stranger. Criminals find ways to get people to open doors so they can commit crimes. Make it a rule in your home that you only open your door to people who you were expecting.

When you purchase big, expensive items be sure to break down the boxes and take them to the recycling center yourself. They show the world you have money and lots of valuables inside.

If you’ve just gotten a home, replace every lock. While the person that previously had the home may seem okay, you don’t know who they actually are. Besides, other tenants or owners might have copies of the key if the previous owners did not change the locks.

Listen to your intuition as to whether your system is being installed by a trustworthy home security company. If the men who come to your home to do the installation seem untrustworthy, you can change your mind. You don’t want to refrain from choosing a different company or technician. After all, the point of the system itself is to help you feel more at ease.

If there is any rotted wood around your door frame, replace it. The rotten wood will be simple to remove, allowing a thief access to your home. Replace any wood that has begun to rot with new wood so that your house stays safe.

Before you let anyone go into your home, look at their references thoroughly. You need to do background checks in order to find out about their criminal history. You never really know if you can trust a service person, and giving access to the wrong one can prove disastrous.

Don’t put your spare keys under floor mats or plants. You are allowing people to invade your home when you make it easy for them. Potential burglars know the usual hiding places. Ask a friend, neighbor or relative to keep your extra keys for you.

You might have decided that a security system for your home is the best solution. However, you may find that you only need to make a few minor changes. Check out all your choices to know which ones are right for you.