As a homeowner, you must do everything possible to keep your family safe. But, home invasions are very common these days, just as much other damage is, like floods and fires. Read on to learn how you can keep your home and loved ones safe from these threats.

You should always change the locks after purchasing a home. You’re not aware of any copies that have been made by the previous owners of the house. To make sure you have the only access to the home, hire a locksmith. You should also do this if your keys ever get lost.

You should only provide a house cleaner your key if you completely trust them. When giving your house cleaner the key to your home, you need to be sure that they are reputable and honest. Carefully check their references. If you hire a cleaner who works for a company, speak with your local BBB about the company’s reliability.

If your garage is attached to your home, always keep it secure. You can prevent this from happening easily. If your garage door happens to lift on a track, using a C-clamp can help. the C-clamp prevents the door from opening if it’s tightened on the track close to the roller.

Your friends may have some great advice for choosing the right company. Most will be willing to share their likes, loves and loathes, especially as they realize how important it is to you. Ask around so that you can have the advice that you need to make a good choice.

Security starts with new locks. Has a roommate or ex-lover moved out recently? If so, then you need to change out the locks in order to keep you and your home safe. It is pretty cheap and the job won’t take more than a few hours.

You should never open your door to someone you do not know. Nowadays, thieves are creative when thinking of ways to get homeowners to open a door and let them in. Make it a habit to only open your home’s door to people you were expecting.

When dealing with companies that install home security systems, it’s important to trust your gut. If the installers give you the heebie-jeebies, it’s not a good sign. Ask the company to send a different installer or simply change companies. Remember, the new security apparatus is meant to make you feel safe and secure.

Eliminate dead vegetation and wood in the yard in the summer. These can be fire hazards and can cause damage to your home. Keep these cleared away regularly to maintain your home’s safety and to keep it in good shape.

People who live rurally often don’t think about home security. Some maintain that rural dwellers have greater risk since their neighbors live farther away. However, understand that regardless of where you live, a theft can occur anywhere. Therefore, you need to be prepared.

Don’t be shy. Talk to your neighbors and those on your block. Watch their houses, and ask if they’d do the same. Never neglect gossip. You could learn important security information, such as if strangers have been lurking around the neighborhood.

Criminals often pick houses where they can see the valuables inside. 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. If you’ve got street facing windows, be sure and keep them covered.

Motion-sensor lights can alert you of a robbery before it even happens. They’ll flip on when people walk within a certain distance of your house. Motion-sensitive lights will alert you to movement and deter people who want to break into your home. But keep in mind that the bulbs to the security light should be routinely changed to ensure that the deterrent system functions properly.

Don’t leave the packaging from any electronics or expensive purchases sitting on the curb until trash day. Having these boxes around for a while will give people an idea of what is inside your house.

Changing the locks is a fundamental part of adding security to the home. It might be that you have an angry ex-roommate or a bitter ex-partner, so changed locks will boost your security. It does not cost much, and can be handled very quickly.

Are you aware that your home’s wires are worth something? This is something few homeowners realize until they become victims of wiring theft. It does not take much time to strip off the expensive copper wires from the exterior of your house. Be sure to hide your wires or make sure they are hard to get to.

Understand certain safety precautions when it comes to having skylights for your home. Skylights are great for making a home brighter, but they can make it easier for burglars to access the house. Use heavy-duty hardware to secure your skylights to the roof.

Home security installation technicians should always be in uniform and wearing identification. It is very common for thieves to pretend to be company reps in order to get into your home. This proves rather dangerous for both your family and also your valuables. Be careful if you want to avoid danger.

Before letting someone from a security company into a house, get some sort of official identification. Thieves can pass themselves as workers, which can end up in a robbery of your home. This situation presents danger to your home, family and belongings. Use caution to stay out of danger.

Make sure the outside of the house is well lit. It will be easier for intruders to keep an eye on you and approach your home if they can hide in the dark. Install some outside lights so you can see everything outside. Having these outdoor lights installed can really work as a deterrent to criminals who are considering your house.

When you hire a type of home security company, read the contract’s fine print before signing. There may be hidden costs in the event you wish to cancel before the end of the contract. This may also be true if you need more or different equipment in the future. You can easily avoid these fees if you do your research.

Consider your personal needs for safety and your security risks prior to looking for security systems. Even though these security systems can guard you and your family, that doesn’t mean they’re for everyone. In some particular neighborhoods, classes for self defense or acquiring a dog may be the best option. However, the newest home security technology may be the best protection in other regions. Understanding your neighborhood, risks and budget constraints can help you to make the best choices.

Don’t limit security to the inside of your home; the outside needs attention too. Don’t provide burglars with cover by planting big shrubs in front of your doors and windows. No one can easily break into a window which everyone can see. This should be planned in advance for your safety.

Don’t give anyone an opportunity to see inside your garage in order to ward off robbers. Add frosting to your window glass to keep folks from looking in the house. Keep your garage door closed as often as possible, too.

If you are going on a vacation, ask a neighbor to pick up your mail and check your home for flyers. Some burglars place fliers to see if they’ll be quickly removed. If the flier is not removed, they will know you are not home.

Whenever you purchase some expensive item, don’t place the empty boxes right outside your home. If thieves see these type of boxes outside your home, they may want to break in to steal the items. Break down the box, and take it to the local recycling center.

Consider a surveillance system for your home and property. Placing hidden and visible video cameras is a good way to keep your home secure. Cameras that can be seen are an excellent tool for preventing most burglars from breaking into your home. However, if they are brave enough to try to disable your cameras, hidden cameras will capture them. As an added security bonus, most modern systems will allow you to monitor your cameras remotely (via cell phone) for round-the-clock protection.

When you’re not in your house, all of the window coverings (blinds, curtains, shades, or what have you) should be tightly shut. If you leave them open, potential burglars can look in and case the joint. If burglars see items in your home that appear valuable, they’ll likely break in to steal them. Keep them down as you sleep, too.

Keep burglars on the outside of your garage by making sure nobody can actually see inside the garage. Add some frosted glass panes to your windows to keep strangers from looking inside. Never leave the front door open for very long.

Find out if the company you choose will give you the option of buying or leasing home security systems. While you will pay more to buy, you don’t have to keep paying for it month after month. Leasing is a good way to avoid the initial expense, but you will have to pay monthly fees. Look at both of these to see what works for you.

A dog is a great alarm system. Dogs are very protective of their turf and usually make noises when something is amiss. It doesn’t need to be a huge dog either. Even small dogs can deter criminals just by making noise when something is afoot.

A home alarm system is a great investment, but it only works if someone notifies the authorities when it sounds. Some security systems have constant monitoring, so that when the alarm goes off, a call is made to the police for you. You cannot depend on your neighbors to call them.

Inquire about different choices for contract lengths available from the home security provider. There are advantages and disadvantages to each. A long term contract should have a lower monthly rate but it also requires you to commit for a long period of time. While the monthly rates may be higher for a short-term contract, this option is more flexible.

Sliding glass doors pose large security issues in homes. They can be easily opened if someone lifts and shakes the door frame. Place a pipe in the door crevice to keep the door secure. This will keep the door closed tight and harder to force open.

Ask whether companies offer options to lease or buy your security equipment. Although purchasing the equipment will likely cost you more money initially, this cost will only occur one time. It won’t be a cost you have to pay for every month. Leasing usually proves cheaper at first, but it comes with strings attached through contracts or continuing fees and charges. Look at both of these to see what works for you.

While gossip and scandals aren’t the most wholesome neighborhood topics, it’s best to stay in the loop. They will let you know if they see someone suspicious near your home. If your friends with them, they can alert you immediately.

Many things can affect the safety of your home, and it’s important that you consider many different things. The ideas in this article will keep your residence protected. Use all the tips you read and do more research on home security.

The external wiring on your home can be easy pickings for thieves. Copper wiring is worth a lot today. Conceal the wiring of your home to keep copper thieves from stripping it and leaving you with a big repair bill.