It’s easy to imagine a hectic, stressful home security installation process. But there are simple things that you can do on your own. This article has tips that will help you secure your home.

After you purchase a new home, change the locks. There is no way to ascertain how many keys the previous owner handed out. Call a locksmith as soon as you can for maximum security. When you lose your keys, have your locks rekeyed.

You can hide your spare key on your dog. This can be done if your dog can come outside. Place a spare key on the collar, and when you really need a spare, you know where to go!

A home security system has other features in addition to sounding an alarm when there is a break-in. Many systems can be used to go off whenever anyone enters your home. This could be valuable for parents who have small children, making them aware when their kid has closed or opened a door.

Purchase a safe to lock all of the extremely valuable items in your home in one place. You can’t have your valuable personal items and jewelry out in the open for anyone to see. This safe should be hidden in a location where burglars won’t find it, such as a hole in the wall, the attic, or a basement closet.

Do not tell anyone that you are going on vacation out of your friend circle. You may be very excited about your impending vacation, but there is no need to let potential burglars know when you will be gone.

Buy fire-resistant building materials. This is a good way to protect your home against fires, for instance if you live near power lines or in a dry area. Preventing a fire hazard is one of the safest precautions that you can take due to the level of destruction that it can cause.

The first thing to do is get your locks changed out. It might be that you have an angry ex-roommate or a bitter ex-partner, so changed locks will boost your security. It is pretty cheap and the job won’t take more than a few hours.

If you’ve got lots of people you don’t know on your social networks, don’t let them know that you’re going to be on vacation. Although you may want to let others in on your excitement, it may inadvertently give burglars a heads up to target your property.

Lock your home when you leave, even if you don’t think you will be away for long. Break-ins are often the result of unlocked windows and doors. It does not take a long time for a robber to pilfer items worth thousands of dollars.

Extended Period

Before you give a security company employee access to your home, make sure they’re in uniform and that they present acceptable identification. Thieves can pass themselves as workers, which can end up in a robbery of your home. This can be extremely dangerous to your home and loved ones. Act cautiously to avoid potential dangers.

If you will be gone for an extended period, turn the ringers off on all telephones in the home. When burglars hear phones ringing for an extended period of time in a home, they know that there is no one there to answer.

Before you let anyone into your house, thoroughly check their references. Perform a background check to learn about their criminal history, too. You never really know if you can trust a service person, and giving access to the wrong one can prove disastrous.

If you have skylights, do not neglect them when making sure your home is secure. Intruders could use skylights to enter your home. You should have them equipped with strong, sturdy hardware.

Keeping your home well lit at night can help keep the burglars away. They do not want to be seen. By minimizing dark and shady areas, you are taking away a potential burglar’s hiding spots. Thus, you should always keep lights on at nighttime.

You should not hide your spare key under your mat or inside a plant box. 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. Thieves aren’t stupid and also know common hiding spots. Instead, give your extra key to a neighbor whom you trust.

It is a good idea to get some history on any home security companies you are thinking about doing business with. A long-standing company has a track record in the industry that people can attest to. Whenever you know you aren’t doing business with a fly-by-night company, you will be more assured your home is protected.

It is important that you do not put expensive valuables in plain sight. Having large windows in front of your home may be a great way to see what is happening outside, but it can also give crooks a view inside your home. Be sure to put curtains on your front-facing windows so people can’t see your valuable belongings.

Consider your own personal safety needs and security risks before exploring home security systems. Although they can be very helpful, security systems aren’t always necessary. Sometimes you may just want to invest in a dog or self-defense classes. Make sure you understand your risks so you can make wise purchasing decisions.

Be sure to replace all of the old locks as soon as you move into a new domicile. Although you may trust the previous homeowner, you cannot be 100% sure of their character. There are other people who have lived in the home as well.

If you will be away from your home, arrange to have whoever is collecting your mail to also pick up fliers placed inside your door. It isn’t uncommon for burglars to put up fliers to see whether or not they’re removed. Fliers that are left behind signal to the burglar that there is no one at home.

Replace Rotted Wood

Put in a surveillance system. Both hidden and visible security cameras are effective in protecting your home. Visible cameras are a deterrent to most intruders, and should they decide to disable them, a hidden camera will continue to capture footage. Surveillance systems often allow you to access videos through your cell phone, too.

Replace rotted wood around entryways. If a person wants to enter your home, rotted wood can easily be pried away. Therefore, replace rotted wood with fresh wood to ensure your home’s safety.

Could burglars see inside your garage? Make sure that they can’t! Be sure and shade your windows with window frosting, something that you can purchase at any hardware store, so as to keep people from looking in your house. Also, avoid leaving the door open for prolonged periods of time.

Change the locks on any new place you move into. While you may trust those who lived there before you, you have no idea who lived there before them. It is possible to purchase and put in locks on your own so you can be assured you have the only keys.

See if your security firm offers a variety of contract lengths. Compare the pros and cons of different options. A long term contract should have a lower monthly rate but it also requires you to commit for a long period of time. Shorter contracts have more freedom, but the monthly costs could be higher.

Make sure that the person analyzing your home for a home security system is who he says. They might not be who you think they are. This means peril for what you own as well as your loved ones. Be careful to avoid any potential dangers.

Do not keep the registration papers for your car inside the car’s glove compartment. If someone finds them, they’ll know your address. Keep them with you or hide them elsewhere. You must have them on hand if the police stop you.

Check someone’s references carefully before letting them come into your home. A background check is also recommended so you know if they have a criminal history. You can never be too sure about anyone you hire to enter your home, and giving them access can work against you.

A home alarm can be a good investment if police are notified when it sounds. Your best option is an alarm system that is monitored centrally so the police will be dispatched when the alarm sounds. Don’t count on neighbors to hear the alarm and call the police.

The Internet is your friend when searching for a home security company, so you should use it wisely. Many websites offer reviews, recommendations, and detailed pricing information. Put together a list of the different home security companies you want to know more about and give them a call.

Sliding glass doors pose large security issues in homes. They can easily be unlocked by lifting them and then shaking them. If there is no security system on it, you should place a pipe inside the door channel. The door will be so tight that it would be much more difficult to open.

Consider your personal needs for safety and your security risks prior to looking for security systems. Generic systems aren’t for everyone. You could, for instance, invest in an alarm system, some outside lights, adopt a dog or take some self-defense classes. Think about your risk factor when making a decision.

Keep your windows upstairs locked. Burglars may not use the front entrance, so this is important for you to do. However, this is actually not how it goes. Criminals know very well that people think this way, and they will take advantage of that.

Dogs make a great security system. They are protective about their territory, plus they make noises that keep burglars at bay. You don’t have to have a huge, violent guard dog, though. As long as he is noisy when strangers approach, he’s a great addition to the security of your home.

External wiring on a home is often a very easy target for potential thieves. Electrical components and wiring has copper, which is worth a good bit of money. Keeping your wires hidden prevents the thieves from seeing them and wanting to take them.

Talk to your security company about the contract; in particular, inquire about the various contract lengths that are available to you. Each probably has its own set of positives and negatives. Longer agreements may cost less per month, but you may not be able to get out of the contract if you need to. Shorter contracts may offer greater freedom at a higher cost.

Make sure you always replace locks when purchasing a home, whether the people you purchased from were lovely or not. This is definitely true when it comes to rentals and new home purchase, so make sure you hire someone to help, or change the locks on your own.

When checking out security companies, ask whether they allow you to choose between buying or leasing the system. You’ll spend less money in the long-run if you buy the equipment outright. Leasing is cheaper, but it can involve contracts and pricier monthly fees. Look at what you can afford, as well as what is offered and make an informed choice.

A good video surveillance system will keep most intruders away. The burglars that have masks in movies are generally fictional. Since most burglars need to look normal outside the home, they will not hide their faces. If they notice a security system, they won’t bother.

There are many ways to make your home safer, both with and without home security systems. Other options include purchasing a gun, installing a fence or extra locks on your doors. Keep these tips in mind to make your dwelling a safer place.

Your garbage needs to be as secure as your home. If you put out boxes for expensive items, it can be a tip-off that your home is worth hitting. Even if it’s only an appliance, a criminal sees someone who buys new appliances as someone who has money with a good house to burglarize.