It is important that you never completely put your guard down. Don’t take any chances with protecting your home if you can do something about it. This article will provide helpful hints on securing your home and your peace of mind.

Buy a safe to contain everything of great value. This is essential, because you would never want valuable jewelry and other items to be seen by intruders. Put the safe somewhere difficult to get to, like the attic.

After getting a new home, make sure to change its locks. You don’t know the exact number of copies of that key the previous owners have or have handed out. Call a locksmith to make sure you’re the only one with access to your home. You should also do this if your keys ever get lost.

Check around for prices, reputation, and reliability when choosing a home security provider. Prices vary quite a bit. Make sure you get quotes from at least three companies before you decide on which one you think is the best option.

Beware giving keys to your maid unless the service has your absolute trust. If you do give out a key to such individuals, be certain you know their reputation for honesty. Make sure you verify all references. Call the Better Business Bureau to see if their firm is well-reviewed.

Make sure that you hide your spare key in a good spot. Too many people put their extra key under the mat in front of their door; burglars know to check there. An example would be to attach a key to your dog’s collar, if he stays outdoors.

Buy a small home safe that you can use to keep your valuables in. Doing so can protect your valuables in the event of a robbery. Keep it hidden in a hard to find location.

It can be a good idea to only leave one ringer on in your home when you are away. A constantly ringing phone lets thieves know that you are not home and could increase the chances of you getting robbed.

Comparison shopping is essential when seeking a security system for the home. Every company offers different pricing. Get quotes from several companies before making a decision.

If your garage is attached to your home, always keep it secure. You can prevent this from happening easily. A C-clamp placed on the garage door track will stop it from opening when you don’t want it to.

There’s no security system so durable that it can go without regular maintenance and inspections. Have yours checked out once a year. Ask a qualified worker who specializes in security systems to take a look. There are quite a few things that can negatively impact the effectiveness of home security equipment. For example, adverse weather conditions or pests such as raccoons can cause problems. If you cannot see a problem, you might not know one exists.

See if your local police department offers any home inspection or other 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.

When dealing with a company installing your home security system, it is important that you trust your gut. If the installers give you the heebie-jeebies, it’s not a good sign. You can decide to use a different company, or ask for a different person to install it. Ultimately, the whole point is for you to have peace of mind.

Your home security system ought to be checked each year. This should be performed by a technician from your security company. The weather and animals are two things that may cause havoc on your home’s security system. Sometimes it is very difficult to see the problem if you don’t know where it is.

Regardless of how long you plan on being away from your home, always lock all the doors and windows whenever you leave. You may be surprised to know that many burglars simply turn the doorknob and walk right in. It does not take a long time for a robber to pilfer items worth thousands of dollars.

Change your locks if someone you don’t trust moves out of your home. Whether you just bought your home or someone just moved out that you were living with, this is an important step to any new situation. Most locksmiths can accomplish the job within 24 hours.

You should change all the locks if you just bought or rented a new home. Although you may trust the previous homeowner, you cannot be 100% sure of their character. And, other people could have lived in the home previously to them as well.

Your home may be equipped with skylights, and if so you must not neglect them in your security planning. Skylights are commonly used by thieves to enter a home. Check that skylights have heavy duty hardware that can stand up under unwanted tampering.

It is important to always have fresh batteries and flashlights handy around the house. If the power goes out, you will be able to see everything. Make sure everyone in your family knows where the flashlights are.

Consider hiding valuables within your walls. You do not have to cut pieces out of the walls to do this. Your home should have a few pre-cut areas that can be used. Unused electrical sockets can be great for hiding expensive jewelry.

When choosing between security companies, read everything on the contract. Look out for hidden charges and surprises, especially if you need to cancel the contract early. Be aware of these particular fees so you can steer clear of them.

Alter the locks and the keys when you change homes. The person who used to live there may still have a key. It’s easy to install locks, so you can just purchase them at the home improvement store and swap them out to be sure you have the only keys.

Ask the home security company about how long they’ve been running prior to signing up. Many years of service bode well for the company’s performance. You can feel confident when you choose a well established, reputable home security company.

If you hire a security company, read any fine print. Sometimes, hidden costs can be incurred if you get rid of the service before a certain date. These are costs you’ll want to avoid.

If you get home and see the door is slightly open, don’t go inside by yourself to investigate. Your home and the area surrounding it may still be in danger. Get on the phone to the authorities immediately.

Think about getting a home security system that is wireless. These systems are much more efficient and can save you time and hassle. A wireless system is easy to install and to maintain. Besides, you will still be able to count on your wireless system in case of a power outage.

If you don’t own a paper shredder, it would be a good idea for you to buy one. 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. If paper shredders don’t fit into your budget, you can manually rip up important documents yourself.

Discourage burglars by making your garage windows opaque. Frost your windows so people cannot look inside your home. Don’t leave your front door unlocked or standing open when you are working in the garage or yard.

Criminals are always unpredictable, and it can sometimes be difficult to understand if you and your home are a target for their illegal activities. Rather than hoping this will not be a problem for you, make your home safer. The information you’ve just reviewed can be a vital first step in improving the security of your home.

Avoid spring latch locks. This type of lock is extremely easy to break. Anyone with a credit card can do it. They can put the credit card in between the latch and door to open the lock. A deadbolt should be added for security purposes if you have locks that are spring latch.