If you want to make the right choices with regards to home security, you’ll need to have a solid grasp of the market. You should take this decision lightly. Figure out what you can afford and what is most important.

When you buy a new home, be sure to have the locks changed. You don’t know who might have a key. Call a locksmith as soon as you can for maximum security. Make sure you do the same thing if you lose your keys sometime.

Make your home look occupied at all times. Keep your radio, TV and lights on timers. This makes it appear that someone is home. This is an effective deterrent against burglars.

Be very cautious about entrusting a maid service with a key to your home. Be sure any home cleaner you give your key to is trustworthy and reputable. Check the housekeeper’s references very carefully. If you hire a cleaner who works for a company, speak with your local BBB about the company’s reliability.

Buy fire-resistant building materials. This will give your home added security. You can enhance home safety with excellent fire precautions.

Buy a safe and use it to hold all of the valuables in your home. This ensures during a break in that the most important things are not stolen. Hide your safe in a hard to find place like the basement or attic.

Don’t let strangers enter your home. While their story may seem legit, that doesn’t mean it is true. These people might want to actually do you harm or could be casing out your house for a future break-in.

Look at the prices for all of the security systems that you are interested in. Prices vary quite a bit. Get quotes from several companies before making a decision.

If you do not know the person at your door, don’t open it. People try many ways to convince others to open up their doors so that they can commit burglary or worse. Only open the door for people you are expecting.

Be sure you have secured your attached garage. You can prevent this from happening easily. A C-clamp placed on the garage door track will stop it from opening when you don’t want it to.

Remove old plants and debris from your yard. These can be fire hazards and can cause damage to your home. Always clear the yard to ensure safety.

Don’t ever put your spare key under your doormat or in a planter. These seem like great places for you when you misplace your key. Rest assured, thieves have a good idea about these hiding places. Instead, have a trustworthy neighbor hold on to your spare key.

When dealing with a company installing your home security system, it is important that you trust your gut. If you don’t feel comfortable with the technician, don’t allow them access to your home. Don’t hesitate asking for another technician or get another company. You want your new system to protect you, not be the way the thief gets into your home.

Keep valuables out of sight of windows. It is wise to invest in coverings for large windows that can give criminals a large view of your home. Cover all street-facing windows.

Walls are a great hiding spot for your valuables. Small valuables fit nicely inside walls. Place them in switch plates, phone jacks or an electric outlet. If you don’t have unused plates, it’s easy to put in a fake one.

Make sure to have flashlights with fresh batteries in all rooms within your house in the event of a power outage. Flashlights are essential since they let you move around in an emergency. Make sure each member of your family knows where the flashlights are and how to operate them.

Avoid placing spare keys under door mats or in plant boxes. Though you may think you are giving yourself a way into your home if you lose your key, you are actually inadvertently inviting intruders into your home. Rest assured, thieves have a good idea about these hiding places. You should have a trusted neighbor keep a spare key.

Ask the home security companies to visit your home and design a system tailored to your needs. All homeowners and homes differ. Most companies will create an individual plan to meet your needs so you can have a high level of security to assure your peace of mind.

You should now know more about home security systems. Do not make home security decisions without knowledge. Knowing that your family is safe is key. Remember this advice, and you will feel better about the situation as a whole.

You should think about your own safety when comparing different home security options. Generic systems aren’t for everyone. Sometimes just taking a class in self defense or adopting a loud dog is enough, while at other times a full fledged security system might be the way to go. Understanding your neighborhood, risks and budget constraints can help you to make the best choices.