If you happen to be single female, perhaps a mom living by yourself, it is extremely important that you understand the topic of home security. There are different things you can do to improve the security of your home. Read this article to find out more about home security.

When you buy a new home, be sure to have the locks changed. You simply do not know how many keys to the old locks are floating around. To make sure you are the sole person with access to the home, engage the services of a locksmith. Make sure you do the same thing if you lose your keys sometime.

If you want to have a spare key hidden outside of your home, hide it carefully. The doormat is too obvious of a place to hide it, as robbers will look there first. Try to find somewhere less obvious.

Buy a safe to contain everything of great value. You can’t have your valuable personal items and jewelry out in the open for anyone to see. Hide that safe in a difficult-to-reach place like in a closet inside your basement or an attic.

Ask your friends for advice before you choose a home security system or company. They may have had experiences with certain companies and can lead you in the right direction. Spending a few days asking for reviews is useful in helping you choose correctly.

Always take time to compare and research before investing in an expensive security system for your home. The prices can vary a great deal for the same level of protection from company to company. Be certain to obtain multiple quotes prior to making your choice.

Make sure the ringer on any phones in your home is turned off when you leave for vacation. A ringing phone that goes unanswered may signal to a burglar that nobody is home.

Hiding places for spare keys must be chosen with extreme care and caution. The doormat is too obvious of a place to hide it, as robbers will look there first. Instead, try hiding a key on the collar of an outside dog.

The police department in your area may offer a home protection program. Many have quite a few helpful programs that you take, like on self-defense or other things related to your home. Discuss these programs with a local police officer to see if they’re available in your area.

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 your phone rings and is not being answered, criminals will realize that you’re away.

Regardless of the quality of your home security system, you need to have it checked each year. This is a job for professionals; get a security firm to inspect your equipment. Mother nature can sneak in and cause many problems. You might not even discover these problems if they aren’t easily sighted.

If you have an attached garage, don’t forget to secure it as well. Often people are concerned that burglars can enter the home via the attached garage . Happily, there is a solution to this problem. Use a C-clamp to secure the door if it’s off track.

Motion sensor lights are a great investment. These lights will come on if someone walks near your house. The lights will notify you of motion and also deter would be burglars. Do not forget to change a bulb when it burns out.

Speak with the police in your town regarding the home security programs they have. There are lots of different programs, like home inspections, that will help you take the proper steps to make sure your home adequately protected. A quick call to the non-emergency number at the police station in your town will tell you all you need to know.

Always go with your gut when it comes to choosing a security firm. This is especially important when it comes to the company employees who will be installing your system. Make sure that the installer has experience installing your type of security system. You need to feel secure with the entire process.

Be brave! Get to know other people who live next door and others in your neighborhood. Watch their homes and ask them if they’ll watch yours as well. Pay attention to gossip. You could learn important security information, such as if strangers have been lurking around the neighborhood.

The walls are a perfect hiding place. You can hide small valuables inside the walls. You can use phone jacks or electric outlets as hiding spots. If you haven’t got any plates that are unused, simply install a false switch plate.

Motion sensor lights on the exterior of your home is a great idea. The motion sensors turn on the lights whenever anyone approaches your home. This lets you know something is moving and also drives off criminals. Make sure you keep fresh light bulbs in your motion activated lights so that they will work correctly.

Do not choose a home alarm system that monitors only your doors. Windows offer easy access to a potential thief. The alarm and monitoring system should be set for all windows and doors. They are the most effective.

Changing the locks is a fundamental part of adding security to the home. Whether an old roommate left or a relationship ended, changing your locks is a good idea. It is usually inexpensive and can be done in less than 24 hours.

Securing your home, along with creating a safe haven doesn’t need costly installation or having a stranger install your system. You can find out some great alternatives that are much cheaper that help keep the criminals away. Keep these tips top of mind to help you feel much safer in your house.

You should not hide your spare key under your mat or inside a plant box. These are the first places criminals will look when they try to enter your home. Thieves are aware of all these spots. Rather, give the key to a neighbor to hold.