You should take the security of your home and family very seriously and make finding a good home security system a priority. Looking around you may feel overwhelmed by all that you need to do. You can pick up some great security ideas to help you get off to a good start by checking out the tips provided here.

Before selecting a security firm, ask for recommendations. Other people are sure to have opinions and experiences to share. Spending a few days asking for reviews is useful in helping you choose correctly.

When you buy a new house, be sure the locks are changed. You simply do not know how many keys to the old locks are floating around. Contact a locksmith to make sure that only you have access to your home. Do the same thing if you happen to misplace a key.

When planning to go away for a holiday, be sure to turn off the ringers on your home phones. A constantly ringing phone can signal to a burglar that the house is vacant, making it an easy target for their criminal activities.

Consider the advice of your friends when selecting your home security company. Your friends have gone through both bad and good experiences and they will be able to share them with you. Ask around to get lots of advice for making a better choice.

Do not be shy. Speak with your neighbors and friends in the area. Keep an eye out for their houses, and request that they return the favor. Pay attention to gossip as well. It is often a good way to find out about security issues, such as strangers in the neighborhood.

If you have a stranger at your door, do not open it. People are coming up with all sorts of ways to convince people to open their door to them, with the intent of committing burglary or worse. Make a house rule forbidding anyone to open the door for an unexpected visitor.

Don’t think you’re not at risk just because you don’t live in a big city. Nonetheless, people in the country may be at greater risk due to being far away from neighbors. Other people believe rural areas are less likely to be targeted by burglars.

When dealing with a company installing your home security system, it is important that you trust your gut. This is definitely the case if you’re not quite sure about the actual installation people. Don’t hesitate asking for another technician or get another company. The purpose of using the company is to calm your uneasiness, not worsen it.

If you install a security system, make certain to hide the wires well. An intruder can easily disable your security system by cutting the wires. Do not make things simple for a burglar, but rather bury all wires or hide them in the wall. Keep yourself safe.

Walls are the perfect place to hide. You can hide small valuables in your walls. You can use the opening provided by an electrical switch plate or other device that is not being used. If you don’t have unused plates, it’s easy to put in a fake one.

Get flashlights with good batteries, and have them in each room in case you lose power. It is extremely important that you have flashlights because they allow you to move around easier in the dark, which is especially useful in an emergency. Your kids should know how to work the flashlights so that everyone can help.

Hide valuables in spaces in your walls. It’s not necessary to cut out parts of your wall to do this. Take a closer look at your walls and note just how many access points there are already. What about un-wiring an electrical socket which isn’t used to utilize as a cover to hide your jewelry?

Before you let a security company representative enter your home, make sure they are in uniform, and don’t hesitate to ask them for identification. Many thieves use this tactic to enter a house. Don’t allow this to happen, as it is a direct threat to your house and its contents. Use caution to stay out of danger.

Don’t put spare keys inside plant boxes or beneath the welcome mat. You are allowing people to invade your home when you make it easy for them. For obvious reasons, experienced burglars know every possible hiding spot. Instead, give your extra key to a neighbor whom you trust.

To increase your home’s security, buy some outdoor lights that are motion activated. Cost-effective and aesthetically pleasing, these lights really add value to your home. When they are positioned correctly, they make it pretty much impossible for intruders to get to your house unnoticed.

Choose an alarm which monitors other areas outside your doors. All windows can be entry spots for thieves. Therefore, ensure the windows have an attached alarm. All potential entry points should have an alarm. They are the most effective.

When about to sign a contract with any home security firm, read all the small print. They sometimes have hidden costs if you let go of them prior to the contract expiring. It is best to know all you can about a service you sign up for.

Believe it or not, the wires on your house are worth stealing. People often don’t think about this until they have it stolen from their home. Copper wiring is quite valuable, and it’s quick and easy for criminals to strip it right off the outside of your house! Make sure the wiring is concealed or difficult to access in order to keep this valuable item safe.

Think about your specific needs and risks prior to investigating security systems. Although they can be very helpful, security systems aren’t always necessary. It may be better for you to take a self-defense class or buy a dog. The neighborhood you live in makes a difference. Know the risks so that you can make a better decision.

Carefully check the references of everyone before allowing them to enter your home. You need to do background checks in order to find out about their criminal history. You never know if the maid, repairman or contractor you hire is on the up and up, and letting them in or giving them a key could be a fatal mistake.

Whenever you purchase some expensive item, don’t place the empty boxes right outside your home. Burglars will instantly take notices of these boxes and what used to be in them, making you an easy burglary target. Remember to cut up the boxes when they’re emptied.

Be sure to read all of the fine print to any contracts you plan on signing for a security company. Sometimes there are hidden costs involved if you decide to let your service go before the contract expires or add additional equipment at a later point. It’s best to know about these fees in advance so that you can avoid them when possible.

Inquire about various contract lengths which your security company might offer. These lengths can be both good and bad. You may pay less if you sign up for longer, but you might also get left with a contract if you have to sell your house. A shorter contract gives you more freedom, but it may cost you more per month.

Keeping your home safe is unquestionably something you must do in order to maintain peace of mind. There is little doubt among homeowners that this is true. Learning all you can about home security will assure you have a safe home and peace of mind.

If you aren’t at the house, keep the windows and curtains closed. You don’t want potential thieves knowing you are gone. Intruders can look into your house if the blinds are up. If they notice this, they may break in. Always close your curtains and blinds while sleeping.