You may know someone personally that has had their home broken into. Home robberies are becoming more prevalent, so you must be diligent in managing your home’s security. Home invasions can occur anywhere; no neighborhood is immune. This article discusses strategies for increasing your home’s security.

Don’t ever let it be apparent that there is no one at home. Buy timers so that lights, radios, TVs and all other electronics turn on and off at various times. It’ll make it seem like someone is home. This will help to deter burglars.

Always have the locks changed when you buy a new home. You never know how many copies of the keys the previous owners made and handed out. Have a locksmith install a brand new lock. Also, if you lose your keys, change the locks.

Beware giving keys to your maid unless the service has your absolute trust. You should not let cleaners have your keys if you feel like you cannot trust them, or if they will be working in your home while you are away. Go over their references and do some background research on the company they work for. If the person is an employee of a firm, call your local BBB to check their reputation.

Spare Key

Do you have a dog that stays in your yard when you’re not at home? Using Fido to hide your spare key can be a clever trick. You can attach your key to your dog’s collar in order to keep the key hidden. This is quite effective if your pet does not respond well to strangers.

Is your dog kept outside when you are away? He or she is actually a great place to store your spare key. Attach your key to your dog’s collar, ensuring that it can’t be seen. If your pet does not get along with strangers, this will ensure your spare key stays safe.

Don’t let strangers enter your home. Even if the person has a compelling story, needs help or has something to sell, they should not be given access. Some people just want to know if there is a security system so they can plan on coming back later or not.

Is your ceiling resistant to fire? What about your flooring or roofing? This can provide additional safety to the home, particularly in dry regions. Keeping fire hazards away is a great safety precaution since fire can cause lots of destruction.

The wiring outside of your home can be valuable. Many people have their wires stripped each year. Copper wiring is quite valuable, and it’s quick and easy for criminals to strip it right off the outside of your house! Be sure to keep your wiring hidden or difficult to reach.

If your social networking accounts are filled with folks you do not really know, do not announce vacations on the sites. It can be exciting to tell everyone about your vacation, but you could potentially be letting a burglar in on your whereabouts.

Replace rotten wood on your door frame. Rotting wood is easy to remove and take apart if someone is trying to get in. Replace any wood that has begun to rot with new wood so that your house stays safe.

Attached Garage

Make sure that the person analyzing your home for a home security system is who he says. Posing as a security professional is an excellent way for an experienced thief to get inside your house and plan a less-friendly return visit. Don’t allow this to happen, as it is a direct threat to your house and its contents. Be careful to avoid this sort of danger.

Secure your attached garage. Some people are concerned about burglars entering through an attached garage. If the garage door lifts via a track, you can use a C-clamp to stop your door from opening at the hands of intruders.

A simple way to increase your home security is to add motion lights around the house. These lights provide extra light for your home and are very cost efficient. If positioned correctly on the exterior of your home, the motion detectors make it virtually impossible for an intruder to sneak onto your property.

Your home security system ought to be checked each year. Call the company and have them send someone to check it out. A number of things may cause your alarm system to have problems, including mother nature and wild animals. It’s quite possible for there to be a fault in your system even if you can’t see it.

Having your house lit up during the night is a good way to scare intruders. They don’t want visibility. A well-lit home is like a red flag to a burglar. Keep your lights turned on during the night.

The first step in making your home more secure is to change out your locks. Perhaps you aren’t sure who owned the home before you or maybe an old roommate has a key and never returned it. Regardless, changing the locks will ensure your security. It doesn’t cost much and they can usually show up within a day.

Use the Internet when you are seeking a new home security company. Check out different websites, and read through package details and customer testimonials. Then, you can set appointments to make price and service comparisons before you choose.

When dealing with companies that install home security systems, it’s important to trust your gut. This is particularly true if you’re uneasy with those that install your actual system. Ask the company to send a different installer or simply change companies. You want your new system to protect you, not be the way the thief gets into your home.

Ask your security provider about their history in the business. A company that’s been around for a while has proven that their service is reliable. You’ll have a lot more confidence in your choice if you stick with a company that has a proven track record.

People who live rurally often don’t think about home security. With neighbors so far away, it may seem like a tiny risk. Others think that rural places have less of a chance of being targets for burglars.

Prior to purchasing a security system, think about what you need it for. You might find that an alarm isn’t necessary at all. In some neighborhoods, it may be better for you to have a dog, or even take self defense classes in order to protect yourself. You need to assess risks and choose a system adapted to the kind of situations you are likely to run into.

Before you let anyone into your house, thoroughly check their references. A background check is also recommended so you know if they have a criminal history. You do not know if the people you hire are trustworthy, so do not give them a key to your home.

In the event you find your door open upon arriving home, you should never enter and investigate yourself. The burglar may be on the premises. Call the cops and let them do the initial walk through.

A bright home is a safe home. That’s because they want to remain hidden. Making your home’s exterior nice and bright will make it impossible for crooks to go undetected. Keep lights on in the evening for a safer home.

You should think about getting a home security system that is wireless. Wired systems may be cheaper, however it usually means you’ll have to rewire your home, and your system may get finicky in the event of a power outage. The easy of installation and maintenance when it comes to wireless set-ups makes them the best bet.

Be sure and keep the outside of your house well lit. Burglars tend to commit crimes at night. Install lights by each and every entryway to your home. Be sure to consider your front and back porch, garage, ground floor windows and any basement entryway.

If a friend picks up your mail while you’re away, have them check for fliers on your door. Burglars have been known to put these up, waiting to see if they are removed or not. If the flier is not removed, they will know you are not home.

Before looking at home security systems, consider your personal security risks and safety needs. Some systems aren’t necessary for some, while others may have a need for them. 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. See to it that you understand the risks involved in making these purchasing decisions.

When standing in the street, can you see your house numbers? It is important for the authorities to find your address in the event of an emergency. There is a cheap and quick fix if you see an issue.

Wireless security systems are the next generation in protection. While systems with wires are cheaper, you have to rewire your home and worry about power outages. Also, you will have a very easy time installing them.

Secure valuables that are truly irreplaceable. Items like family photos, passports, legal documents and expensive jewelry should be kept in a safe place. A floor safe could be a good place for you to keep these things inside your house. You can also rent out a safety deposit box.

Invest in a good paper shredder. A thief looking through your discarded papers can find a lot of information you do not want them to have. They may even learn your schedule, so they can burgle your home while you are away. If you don’t want a shredder, rip the papers up manually.

A home alarm system is a great investment, but it only works if someone notifies the authorities when it sounds. This is why it’s a great idea to consider a centrally monitored system. You can’t always trust just the noise from the alarm to scare off the intruder.

Don’t believe that only big expensive houses are susceptible to burglary. Intruders could target your home if you have a few valuables. If you follow the tips written in this guide, you will surely be able to protect your house from unwanted intruders.

Avoid letting people outside see inside your home. If people can see a computer or large TV outside your house, thieves can also see it. Find some blinds or drapes you can use to protect your privacy. If you cannot do this, place your valuables in another room.