If you have pricey items like art and jewelry in your home, don’t assume that no one knows these things are there. Protect yourself from a burglar breaking in by improving your home security. Read on to find ideas about home security.

Change the locks after buying a new house. You don’t know the exact number of copies of that key the previous owners have or have handed out. Hire a locksmith so that you can be sure you are the only person who can access your home. Make sure you do the same thing if you lose your keys sometime.

Keep your most precious belongings inside a safe. This is vital, as you want to safeguard your valuable items in case of home burglary. 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 never give details about your vacations and other plans on social networks. While it is exciting to go to a new place and have a good time, you are letting thieves know that your house will be empty and they can come right in.

It’s important to comparison shop for alarm systems. Different companies can provide equivalent levels of service and security, but their prices can vary wildly. Make sure you get quotes from at least three companies before you decide on which one you think is the best option.

Rid the outside of your home from dead wood, vegetation and overgrowth during the summertime. These can be fire hazards and can cause damage to your home. Clear up your yard so it looks good and is safe.

Aim to purchase fire-resistant ceilings, roofs and floors. This will make your home more safe, especially if you are in a dry climate that has many power lines. Lowering or eliminating the risk of a fire is an extremely important home security strategy because a fire can cause extreme destruction very quickly.

See what your local police department offers in terms of home protection programs. Many police departments offer programs that can include home inspections, home security training and more. A quick call to the non-emergency number at the police station in your town will tell you all you need to know.

Shut off the ringer for all of the telephones in your home if you are planning to go on vacation for a long time. If a burglar keeps hearing your phone ring, they’ll know the home is not occupied, making it more likely for a break-in to occur.

Follow your instincts when choosing a home security company. You should be very picky when it comes to letting people inspect your home. If you simply are not comfortable with a company’s technician, request for another technician or simply hire another company. Ultimately, the whole point is for you to have peace of mind.

Police Department

When moving into a previously owned home, change the locks. Although the tenant before might have turned their key in, they might still have a duplicate key. This will help safeguard that there is no one else with your key.

Determine what sort of home protection services or programs the local police department has to offer. Many have quite a few helpful programs that you take, like on self-defense or other things related to your home. Your police department will be able to help you find out what is available in your town.

Before letting someone from a security company into a house, get some sort of official identification. It is very common for thieves to pretend to be company reps in order to get into your home. This leads to danger. Be careful to avoid any potential dangers.

Don’t hide an extra key under a rock or in a planter. You are allowing people to invade your home when you make it easy for them. Burglars are well aware of these hiding places. Rather, give your spare key to a neighbor or friend that you trust.

Before you let anyone go into your home, look at their references thoroughly. Conduct background checks if necessary. You do not know if the people you hire are trustworthy, so do not give them a key to your home.

It is important that your valuables are not visible from anywhere outside your house. Large windows let in light and give you a great view outside, but that works both ways. Keep your windows covered and your belongings private.

Always go over the small print on contracts offered by your home security company. There could be hidden costs if you were to quit your service prior to the expiration date of the contract, or you decide to add additional equipment later. Avoid nasty charges or fees regarding early termination, contract expiration and additional features or equipment.

If you’ve bought large or pricy items, avoid throwing out boxes until the day the trash is scheduled for pick-up. Having these boxes outside of your house will give robbers the temptation of robbing your house.

Always use online resources to identify the very best home security firm. Review different websites and review comments from previous customers. After reading about these services, you can narrow down the results and use appointments for price comparisons.

Even the wires inside your home are worth something. This is something few homeowners realize until they become victims of wiring theft. Copper is expensive and most wiring is composed of it, so stripping it is a great way for crooks to make a quick buck. Keep your wiring hidden or inaccessible to potential burglars.

You should not enter your home if you find the door ajar. This can be a dangerous scenario, as the criminal might still be present. Call the cops and let them do the initial walk through.

If you allow a security company to come to your house, make sure they appear professional and can present identification. Thieves can pass themselves as workers, which can end up in a robbery of your home. This represents a danger to your possessions and your family. Be cautious to stay safe.

If you don’t have a paper shredder, you might want to buy one. Thieves are likely to steal documents that include your personal information if they can find them. Rip important documents in small pieces before throwing them away if you do not have a paper shredder.

Perform landscaping for your home which enhances your home’s safety. All doors and windows must be unobstructed by shrubs, trees, fences, or plants. If you have them visible, people can’t hide in those areas while they try to break in. For a beautiful yard that’s also safe, keep the landscaping separated from the house.

A great security system for your home is a dog. Dogs naturally protect their homes and they make lots of noise when things go wrong. It doesn’t need to be a huge dog either. Even tinier canines can ward off intruders with enough noise.

Make sure you have weighed the costs and risks when you are considering your security needs. Some systems might not be adaptable to your situation. In some neighborhoods, you might be better off taking a self defense class or owning a dog, while in others, the latest innovations in home security will protect you best. You need to assess risks and choose a system adapted to the kind of situations you are likely to run into.

Inquire whether a security company offers variable contract lengths. There are sure to be both good points and bad points about each option. A longer contract might give you a lower monthly bill, but you could be stuck with those monthly costs if you sell your home or decide to discontinue services. There’s more freedom with a contract that’s shorter, but the monthly payments may be higher.

If you just purchased electronics, do not leave empty boxes outside. Burglars will notice these boxes and know what kind of valuables you have. Remember to cut up or break down those boxes and take them to the recycling center.

Your auto registration is best kept somewhere other than your glove compartment. This will prevent anyone from knowing where you reside. Instead, keep them with you at all times, or hide them somewhere else inside your vehicle. Your papers should be easy to access in case a police officer pulls you over.

Stand out in your street, and look toward your home. Are you able to see the numbers of your home? Make sure they are large in case emergency personnel need to find your house. This is a project any homeowner can tackle.

All doors leading into your home should be made from solid wood or metal. These doors will hold. A burglar is very unlikely to be able to kick in a solid wood or metal door. You should replace each exterior door in the home before doing the minimal amount, as soon as you can.

Credit Card

Consult with your home security provider on whether they can supply lighting that is motion sensitive. Lots of companies will provide this feature. Motion sensitive lighting causes your home’s outside lights to turn on whenever anyone gets too close. This can give you a heads up if a robbery was about to happen.

Avoid spring latch locks. These type of lock is the easiest lock to pick, it could even be opened by a credit card. Intruders simply wedge a credit card between the door and latch, triggering the lock to open. IF spring latch locks are already in place, add a deadbolt for that extra layer of security.

You should lock all your windows, even on the second floor. Many people overlook this since they don’t think criminals will check them. They do use this method of entry though. A criminal can use a ladder, after all.

Instead of thinking that your house will never be threatened by a criminal, always prepare for the worst. You should not become paranoid about home invasions, but keep in mind that you can avoid dangerous situations by protecting yourself. Put the tips from the article to good use and protect your family and home.

Having a big, scary dog around does has its benefits. Burglars would not want to deal with potentially being bitten or attacked. Consider getting a large dog that is able to protect, but that also is gentle with children and friendly to your whole family.