When you keep valuable items, such as money, expensive jewelry or original objects of art in your home, you cannot make the assumption that no one is aware of this fact. A good home security system is the best way to protect yourself from thefts. Read on to find ideas about home security.

A good security system has many more features than sounding the alarm during a break-in. Most of them can be programmed to alert you to anyone entering your home. This is important to parents who have small children, because they will want to know if the children have opened a door.

When you buy a new home, be sure to have the locks changed. You don’t know how many keys have been handed out previously. To make sure your home can only be accessed by you, enlist the help of a locksmith. In addition, replace your locks if your keys ever get lost.

Even if you have a great security system, it must be checked annually. Your security company should send a representative to check your system. Many different things can make problems for your security system. You might be unaware of problems that arise in some cases.

Providing a key to the person cleaning your home can be acceptable, but you must be sure they are honest and worthy of your confidence. You should not let cleaners have your keys if you feel like you cannot trust them, or if they will be working in your home while you are away. Do a background check on them. Call the Better Business Bureau to see if their firm is well-reviewed.

Put motion-sensor lights into your home. These kinds of lights will pop right on when they detect motion near your home. You will be alerted to movement, but most importantly, it will deter burglars or at least make you aware of their presence. Just remember to change out the bulbs every so often so the lights remain in working order.

Ask friend for any advice they have prior to purchasing a security system or service. Other people will probably have personal experience with these companies that are either good or bad. They can share their experiences with you, which will greatly assist you in making the best decision. Ask around to get lots of advice for making a better choice.

The walls are a perfect hiding place. You can hide small valuables in your walls. Any phone jack or electrical outlet that isn’t being used is a great place to hide valuables. A security store will sell fake plates you can install anywhere.

Check with the police department in your town for home security tips and advice. Some police departments offer things like code numbers to help find your valuables should they get stolen. A quick call to the non-emergency number at the police station in your town will tell you all you need to know.

Stashing your most precious possession right inside the walls of your home can be a great idea. This doesn’t necessarily involve chopping up your walls, either. You can find areas in your walls that are pre-cut and use those. Perhaps you could deactivate a few unused electrical sockets to use as a place to store stuff.

Security System

Don’t put extra keys under doormats or in planters. 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. Burglars are well aware of such hiding places. Rather, give your key to a neighbor you find trustworthy.

You need to have your security system checked once a year. Ask someone who works at the security company to do a maintenance check. The weather and animals are two things that may cause havoc on your home’s security system. It’s quite possible for there to be a fault in your system even if you can’t see it.

If you have just moved into a new home, have every single lock replaced. The old owners may seem nice, but you don’t know everything about them. If the previous owners have never changed the locks, there could be people out there who owned the house before them and still have keys to your house.

Meet with representatives from the security company you are considering to determine if they are trustworthy. If you are hesitant about the company, your gut feeling is especially important. You don’t want to refrain from choosing a different company or technician. You want the system to make you feel like you’re more comfortable.

The wiring on your house is valuable to burglars. Many people are not aware of this until they are stolen from their home. Copper is expensive and most wiring is composed of it, so stripping it is a great way for crooks to make a quick buck. Be sure that you keep all your wiring hidden and make it hard to access.

Be sure your valuables are not visible from the outside of your house. It may be great to have large windows with a view, but this means that people can look in. You always want to make sure you keep your valuables covered if they are by a window.

Before allowing anyone into your home, check their references carefully. Perform a background check to learn about their criminal history, too. You can never be certain if the contractor, repairman, maid, etc. that you hire to do services in your home is honest. If you let these people in without knowing anything about them, you could experience significant losses.

Always lock your home, even if you plan on coming back within a few minutes. It might shock you to learn that most break-ins occur due to unlocked doors. Thieves can steal thousands worth of your belongings very quickly.

If you’re hiring a company for home security, be sure to read any fine print before you sign that contract. You may find fees appear unexpectedly, including excessive costs for ending your contract early. It’s best to know about these fees in advance so that you can avoid them when possible.

If your home security system is installed, be sure its wires are well-hidden. You do not want the wires exposed for easy manipulation. Instead, make sure the wires are hidden. This makes it much less likely that your system will be compromised.

Criminals are much less likely to target your home if it’s well lit. They prefer not to be seen. By minimizing dark and shady areas, you are taking away a potential burglar’s hiding spots. That’s why it’s a good idea to light your home well for optimum safety.

If you bought any big or expensive things, wait until trash day to throw away the boxes. Empty boxes might draw the attention of robbers and let everyone know you own new and expensive goods.

Talk to any companies you’re considering hiring to install a security system about how long the company has been around. A company with a long history has proved they can survive and provide great service to people. Realizing you at involved with a stable firm will give you a sense of calm that is important.

Rather than living in blissful ignorance, assume that you may be targeted by criminals. Don’t live in fear, but be sure and take the steps to protect yourself. Follow the excellent tips presented here to provide your home, your family and yourself with great security.

Have home-security companies come to your home so they can design the best possible system for it. There are always going to be unique things about your home as well as your specific needs, so make sure you think about these things. If there is a company that can come up with a customized plan, you will get what you really need.