The home security industry is huge. Burglaries happen everyday no matter where you live. Burglars tend to choose houses that are lax when it comes to security measures. If you want to avoid becoming a victim, the following tips will help you amp up your home security.

Don’t overlook your garage as a potential access point for thieves. There is a solution for people that are worried about burglars going into their home through an attached garage. However, you can use a C-clamp to help keep the door secure.

A good security system has many more features than sounding the alarm during a break-in. Most of them can be programmed to alert you to anyone entering your home. This is a valuable safety feature for parents of small children since they know if their child has exited the home.

The police department in your area may offer a home protection program. The police can offer you some great advice, help you engrave valuables and even come check out your home. Contact your local police department to find out if they offer this type of program.

Use a safe to protect your valuables. If a burglar enters your home, he or she will have a hard time making off with your possessions. 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.

You should always park your car inside your garage instead of using your garage to store some belongings. If your car is in your garage there is less of a chance to vandalize or steal it. This will also make it more difficult for burglars to track when you away from home.

Regardless of the type of home security system you choose, be sure to have regular inspections and maintenance performed. Have a worker from the security company take a look at it. Mother nature can sneak in and cause many problems. If you cannot see a problem, you might not know one exists.

Don’t put your spare key in an obvious place near your front door. While it can help you if you’re locked out, you could be letting intruders inside your home. Burglars always know just where to look. Give it to a neighbor you trust instead.

When it comes to securing your home, start by changing your locks. It might be that you have an angry ex-roommate or a bitter ex-partner, so changed locks will boost your security. It is generally cheap and may be done in a little under a day.

Are you aware that your home’s wires are worth something? Many people never realize this value until wires are stolen right out of their home. The copper component of wiring is very valuable and may be stripped from the outside of your home in a fairly short amount of time. Hide your wiring for optimum security.

If you live more out in the country, you may think that you’re not at risk. However, there is the belief that rural dwellers are more susceptible to break ins simply because there are no nearby neighbors. Other people believe rural areas are less likely to be targeted by burglars.

Keep flashlights in your rooms. Flashlights are very important, as they will give you the ability to move around in the event of an emergency. Make sure your whole family knows where to find them and how to operate them.

Use your wall spaces to hide your valuables. This does not mean that you should make alterations to your walls. Your home should have a few pre-cut areas that can be used. If you have an electric socket you do not use, hide valuables behind their covers.

If you are moving into a new home, change the locks right away. Previous tenants may have given the keys back to the landlord, but it is always possible to make copies of keys. You can change the locks yourself if you’re feeling really industrious.

Even if you only plan to be gone for a very short time, lock your house. Many home thefts start with the thief simply walking in an unlocked door or window. It doesn’t take long for a thief to steal thousands of dollars worth of stuff.

Before you let security company representatives into your home, check their ID. Thieves may say they are from a certain company to get into your home. This can be extremely dangerous to your home and loved ones. Take care to steer clear of danger.

Look for an alarm system that does more than protect your doors. Intruders can enter through your windows too. You want to be sure that the alarm is connected to all windows and entry points. This is great for keeping the family secure.

Before allowing someone into your house, be sure to carefully check their references. Run a criminal background check on them, as well. It is impossible to know if the newly hired maid or one time repairman might be a crook unless you check them out. Providing them with your key might be the biggest mistake you’ve ever made.

Were you aware that your home’s wires are valuable? Lots of people don’t know this until their wires are stolen. Copper is expensive and most wiring is composed of it, so stripping it is a great way for crooks to make a quick buck. To protect this expensive asset, hide your wires or make them hard to get to.

When about to sign a contract with any home security firm, read all the small print. Sometimes, hidden costs can be incurred if you get rid of the service before a certain date. You can easily avoid these fees if you do your research.

Before signing up for home security, find out how long they’ve been in business. Find a home security company that has a good reputation and many years of experience to get excellent service. Whenever you know you aren’t doing business with a fly-by-night company, you will be more assured your home is protected.

Perform landscaping for your home which enhances your home’s safety. Doors and windows should not be obstructed by trees, plants or shrubs. If criminals know you can see them, they are less likely to break in. Put landscaping farther away from the house for greater safety.

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. Fliers that are not removed let the burglar know that the home is vacant.

Have a home security company come to your house and come up with a system that best suits your needs. Everyone has specific needs and wants when dealing with the security of their house, belongings and family. If you’ve found a company that can tailor a system to you, you can receive the greatest amount of security to make you feel much more comfortable.

Make sure a surveillance system is part of your home security system. Both hidden and visible security cameras are effective in protecting your home. Intruders will stay away from your home if they notice cameras and hidden cameras can help identify intruders if they disable the most visible cameras. There are surveillance systems that you can access and check by cell phone.

Your home’s exterior needs to be well lit. Criminals like to blend into the shadows, so do your best not to provide too many for them. Install some outside lights so you can see everything outside. This includes porches and doorways, the garage, as well as ground floor windows, which can invite an intruder.

You don’t need to rely on keys to prevent entry to certain areas of your home. Use a code-access lock for any door you don’t want others opening. You can have your home security company install it for you, or you can do it yourself.

If you don’t own a paper shredder, it would be a good idea for you to buy one. Thieves may look through your garbage for information. If you don’t have a paper shredder, tear the papers up.

Find out about the various lengths of contracts your chosen home security company has on offer. Each has its advantages and disadvantages. You might pay less each month for longer contracts, but it has its deterrents as well. Shorter contracts may offer greater freedom at a higher cost.

If you just purchased electronics, do not leave empty boxes outside. A burglar sees this as an invitation to procure the item themselves. When you empty the boxes, cut them up and throw them away so that burglars do not see them.

Home security is the only way to keep your family safe. Nobody actually plans to be robbed. Keep these tips in mind and try to use them on a great home security system. Do it now. Do something about the security of your house before it’s too late.

Can you read your house numbers clearly from the street? If there is need for cops to come to your home, it will be hard for them to find it if the numbers are not readable or are tiny. Fortunately, it doesn’t require much to fix this problem.