Many people see home security as annoying and tedious, particularly when installation specialists enter your home. It is possible, however, to find a stress-free solution. Go over this article to learn more about home security and how you can keep your home safe.

It’s important to shop around before you settle on the right security system for your home. Each company has different rates for their security system. Get quotes from no less than three companies before choosing the best one.

Provide the house key to your professional house cleaner, but only if you fully trust them. If they need the keys and plan on being in there for more than an hour, try to ensure that they are honest, hardworking, and reputable. Be sure to make sure their references check out. If the house cleaner is employed by a company, check with the BBB of your area to determine their reputation.

Social networking sites are great for keeping in touch, but post information sparingly. For example, you might avoid broadcasting when you are going out of town, especially if your friends list contains casual acquaintances. You may be very excited about your impending vacation, but there is no need to let potential burglars know when you will be gone.

Clear away all the dead and dried out vegetation around your home in the summer. These can be fire hazards and can cause damage to your home. Clear your yard often if you want to prevent a fire from starting.

Don’t open up your door for someone who is a stranger. Burglars are getting creative, and they will do anything they can to gain access to your home. Create a rule where you only allow those you’ve invited to your home inside.

Avoid coming across as overly shy. Speak with your neighbors and friends in the area. Keep an eye on their houses and yards and request that they return the favor. Also consider listening in on some of the neighborhood gossip. You might actually learn a thing or two concerning people that have been hanging around.

Before doing anything else, install new locks in your home. Changing the locks will ensure that you are the only one who knows the combination. It is pretty cheap and the job won’t take more than a few hours.

Make sure to have your home inspection system maintained on at least an annual basis. Ask someone from your security company to come over and have a look. Wild animals, domestic pets, and weather are all factors that can affect the reliability of your home security system. You might be unaware of problems that arise in some cases.

Walls can serve as a handy hiding place. Hide valuables inside of your walls. Simply take advantage of an unused switch plate, electrical outlet, or phone jack. If there are no unused plates, you can easily install fake ones.

Replace rotten wood near door frames. Home invaders interested are able to pry off any rotted wood to get inside. Replace it as soon as possible.

Install lights that have motion sensors. This type of light will come on when they detect motion within a certain distance of your home. They will signal movement to you but will also serve as deterrents to the thieves. But keep in mind that the bulbs to the security light should be routinely changed to ensure that the deterrent system functions properly.

Make sure your flashlights have charged batteries and are found throughout your home. Power outages are common to all sorts of emergency situations, so having flashlights handy will enable you to maneuver in the dark. Your kids should know how to work the flashlights so that everyone can help.

Your first priority when you move to an apartment or house where others have lived in before is to replace all the locks. The previous owners or tenants might have made some copies of the key. Find a reliable locksmith who can replace the locks or do it yourself.

Listen to your intuition as to whether your system is being installed by a trustworthy home security company. Don’t hire anyone who makes you uncomfortable. You don’t want to refrain from choosing a different company or technician. At the end of the day, your efforts are so that you feel more comfortable.

You want to know what is included in a contract if you’re signing up with a 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. You are going to want to avoid these kinds of hidden fees, so know about them up front.

Having light on in your home at night will scare crooks away. Most intruders avoid anything that could reveal their identity. When you have a well-lit home, crooks won’t be able to hide and it will be hard for them to break in undetected. Keep the lights on if you want your home to be secure.

If you live more out in the country, you may think that you’re not at risk. There are some who believe country folk are more at risk because neighbors are not nearby. That said, stranger things have happened.

You need to make sure you’re making use of the Internet when looking at different home security companies. Many websites offer reviews, recommendations, and detailed pricing information. You’ll find it easy to narrow your choice down to three top contenders; your next step is to arrange to meet each of them to discuss your specific security needs.

Ask about the history of any home security company you are considering. Any business with multiple years of history has a proven record in being reliable. Realizing you at involved with a stable firm will give you a sense of calm that is important.

Don’t put your spare keys under floor mats or plants. Keeping a spare key is convenient but intruders will have access to your home if your key is too easy to find. For obvious reasons, experienced burglars know every possible hiding spot. Ask a friend, neighbor or relative to keep your extra keys for you.

Have a home security company come to your house and come up with a system that best suits your needs. Every family is different, and so your security needs will be unique. Doing this helps you get the best security you can get from the company, helping you to relax.

In the event you find your door open upon arriving home, you should never enter and investigate yourself. This can be dangerous since the intruder might still be on the property. Just contact the police and sit tight until they arrive.

Don’t leave the packaging from any electronics or expensive purchases sitting on the curb until trash day. If you leave the boxes out all week, it lets people know what type of items you have in your home.

Put a surveillance system in your home. Installing hidden and visible video cameras is great for securing a home. Visible cameras can deter many intruders and if they disable them, the hidden cameras can still capture footage. Many surveillance systems can even be accessed via cell phone, allowing you to check up on your home when you are away.

Talk to your home-security company to see if they provide buy and lease options for your 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 is usually the cheaper option; however, it does mean higher monthly bills and a contract. Find out which will work best for your needs.

If you’ve just gotten a home, replace every lock. You have no way of knowing whether the previous homeowner is trustworthy. Keep in mind that other people may have lived in the home prior to the seller.

If you want to hide your house key, find a spot that is not obvious. The classic fake rock is too common and too easy to detect. Many people also know to check under the welcome mat. A better idea is to have a friend or neighbor keep your emergency key. If you cannot do that, at least find an unusual place to hide the key.

Always lock the windows in your home, no matter what floor they are on. Most people don’t think about someone entering the home from the second floor. This is not always the case. This is a common weak spot in most people’s home security, and thieves are very aware of this.

Screen the references of anyone who would have access to your house. You need to do background checks in order to find out about their criminal history. You need to be very careful with the contractors, repairmen or maids you trust with being alone in your home.

There is more to security than installing alarms. You have many options when it comes to protecting your home and family. Keep these tips in mind to make your dwelling a safer place.