Home owners have a responsibility to keep their houses as safe as possible. While you might think that getting an alarm is all you need, think again. There are many things you can do to make your house secure. This article will offer you several different options to consider.

Be sure that your home is always occupied. There are timers you can use to make electronics turn on and off at random times. This will make it look like someone is home. This will help safeguard your house to the best of your ability.

When you decide to purchase a home alarm system, make sure you comparison shop. Every company offers different pricing. Get three quotes or more before making a choice.

You should always change the locks after purchasing a home. You don’t know how many keys have been handed out previously. Contact a locksmith to make sure that only you have access to your home. Be sure to cal a locksmith if you were to lose your keys as well.

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. 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.

Do you keep your dog outside when you aren’t home? They may provide you with a useful place to hide your key. Stash the key on the pup’s collar to keep it out of sight. This works very well if you have a pet that is not very fond of strangers. You will get the access you need without having to worry about your safety.

Make sure your attached garage is secure. Intruders could easily break into your garage and access your home. If the garage door lifts via a track, you can use a C-clamp to stop your door from opening at the hands of intruders.

It’s important to shop around before you settle on the right security system for your home. Several different firms may offer similar protection for wildly divergent prices. Before choosing which company to go with, ask for quotes from a minimum of three companies.

Eliminate dead vegetation and rotting wood from the yard each summer. They pose a fire risk. Keep your family and your house protected by regularly clearing out your yard waste.

If there are people you don’t know that have access to your social media sites, then you don’t want to let all of them know you’re on vacation. Although your first instinct is to share the news about an upcoming trip that excites you, the info may well fall into the hands of people who’d be interested in burglarizing your home while you’re away.

Use exterior lights that have motion sensors. These lights will come on if someone walks near your house. Not only will they notify you of movement, they will also deter potential burglars, as thieves want to remain as inconspicuous as possible. Do not forget to change a bulb when it burns out.

When you’re going away, turn off your phone ringers. If your phone rings and is not being answered, criminals will realize that you’re away.

People in rural areas are not usually as worried about burglaries as people in cities. However, there is the belief that rural dwellers are more susceptible to break ins simply because there are no nearby neighbors. Some think that there are less burglars in rural areas.

Don’t allow anyone you don’t know to look into your house. Be wary of those who come to your door selling products, asking for help, or telling sob stories. This person might just be casing the joint to see if there is home security equipment.

If you’ve got skylights, don’t neglect them when ensuring your home’s security. Skylights are a great addition to any home, but they are also tempting entryways for crooks. Your skylights should have strong components that can withstand tampering.

Don’t overlook your garage as a potential access point for thieves. There is a way to prevent burglars from entering your home through the garage. Simply attach a C-clamp near the roller on the door track.

Conceal valuable spaces within your walls. This doesn’t require tearing into your walls, of course. Find a place where there is already a hole to get in through. An unused outlet can be taken apart, and the space used to create a tiny hidden safe.

Changing your locks first can help make your home much more secure. 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. This doesn’t usually cost much, and it can be accomplished in less than a day.

You want an alarm system that protects more than your doors. Burglars often enter through windows as well. Have alarms installed for each window and any other entry point. They are the most effective.

Go with your gut when choosing a home security company to install a system. This is particularly true if you’re uneasy with those that install your actual system. If you simply are not comfortable with a company’s technician, request for another technician or simply hire another company. The point of having a security system is to make yourself feel at ease.

After making major (i.e. expensive) purchases, don’t dump the packaging out front if your next scheduled garbage pick-up is several days away. They show the world you have money and lots of valuables inside.

Don’t ever place your spare key under your mat or next you a plant box. Though you may think you are giving yourself a way into your home if you lose your key, you are actually inadvertently inviting intruders into your home. Thieves are aware of these hiding spots. Instead, give your extra key to a neighbor whom you trust.

Are you aware of the value of your home’s wires? Many folks are not aware of this until a thief steals it. The copper wiring can be stripped and be turned in for money. Be sure to hide your wires or make sure they are hard to get to.

Don’t allow the wires of your home security system to be visible to others. An intruder can easily disable your security system by cutting the wires. Make it hard for a burglar to avoid your detection. This will make you much safer.

Rotted wood in your door framing should be replaced. Rotten wood can be removed in order to get inside your home. Replace dead wood with thick, firm pieces to maintain a high level of security.

If you’ve recently moved into a house, get any locks changed out. Even though the person who sold your home to you may seem honest, you simply can’t know for certain. Don’t forget that there were likely other owners and residents in the house before the last set.

Make sure your flashlights have charged batteries and are found throughout your home. The flashlights are important because they make you able to get around the house in an emergency. Make sure each member of your family knows where the flashlights are and how to operate them.

Replace rotted wood that surrounds your door frame. Anyone who wants to get into your home can easily pry away rotted wood and slip right into your home. Always replace rotting wood with fresh wood immediately to keep your house strong and secure.

Think about safety when designing your home. Make sure that the doors and windows to your home are not covered by trees, fences, shrubs or any other type of thing. Keeping these features free of vegetation robs would-be burglars of concealment and hiding places. Keeping the areas around your windows free of plants can help to deter criminals from lurking too close to your home, without you noticing.

If you move to a place that was occupied before, you should change the locks right away. Although other tenants might not have a key anymore, they could have copied it. You can purchase locks and install them yourself to ascertain that only you have a key.

Ask whether companies offer options to lease or buy your security equipment. You can avoid interest rates by buying the security system right away. Leasing is usually the cheaper option; however, it does mean higher monthly bills and a contract. Look into both choices to know which one is better for your personal circumstances.

If you get home and your door is open, do not enter ti investigate. This is a delicate situation as the burglar might still be in your home. Instead, you should call 911 and wait in a safe location for the police to arrive.

Do not hide your key in obvious places. Fake rocks are very easy to spot. The doormat is the first place someone will look. You should just give a spare key to a trusted neighbor instead. If you can’t, be creative where you put the key.

If you haven’t bought a paper shredder yet, make it a point to do so. A thief looking through your discarded papers can find a lot of information you do not want them to have. They may even learn your schedule, so they can burgle your home while you are away. Cutting the papers into small pieces with a pair of scissors is another option.

This article should have made it possible for you to have a safe home. There is a lot of information to take in, but you are better prepared to create your security system. With the excellent information presented here, you can do just that.

Ask about the different contract durations that a security company can offer you. Each likely has its benefits and drawbacks. Long contracts may cost less each month, but it could leave you with a larger bill if you decide to end your service. Shorter contracts allow your greater freedom, however they usually cost more each month.