Any woman who lives alone needs to focus on home security. Instead of living in fear, you can follow many simple procedures to make your feel safer. Read on to discover many tips to help on home security.

Any time you buy a new home, have the locks changed. You cannot be sure of the number of key copies that the former owner gave out. Get a locksmith in right away. Also, you can contact a locksmith if you ever misplace your keys.

Make your house look occupied all the time. Use timers to make electronic devices and lights turn on and off at intervals. In this way, it will always seem that someone is in your home. This is an effective deterrent against burglars.

Do you have an outside dog? You might consider leaving your spare key with your dog. Stash the key on the pup’s collar to keep it out of sight. This is an especially good idea if your dog doesn’t like strangers, and gives you easy access to get in your home.

Home security systems do more than sounding an alarm in case of a break in. Many can be set for sounding their alarm if anyone enters. This can be useful if you’ve got small children that are able to open doors.

A home security system has other features in addition to sounding an alarm when there is a break-in. The majority of systems will give an audible alert when someone enters the house. This can be valuable to parents with small children as they are made aware their child has opened or closed a door.

Compare various home security systems when shopping. Prices can differ a lot among companies for the same type of protection. Be sure and get a minimum of three quotes from different companies prior to choosing one.

Keep your most precious belongings inside a safe. This will keep your stash of diamonds, gold and other valuable items out of view and inaccessible to burglars. Be sure to put your safe in an out of the way place like the basement, attic or under the floorboards.

Ask friend for any advice they have prior to purchasing a security system or service. Your loved ones likely have dealt with this situation before. Keep asking to get the advice that will help you make the right choice.

When looking to purchase a good home security system, it is best that you look at many companies. Different companies can provide equivalent levels of service and security, but their prices can vary wildly. Get quotes from several companies before making a decision.

Do not invite strangers into your home. Even if they tell you a sob story about needing help, this warning remains true. Some folks will enter to scout for security systems, and upon seeing you lack one, will resolve to return at a later time.

Before selecting a security firm, ask for recommendations. They probably have both positive and negative things to tell you, and those comments will help you make your own decision. Making a great choice is important, so this advice will come in handy.

Compared to city dwellers, you might feel more safe in your rural home. Some people think that the people out in the country without neighbors are actually at a much greater risk. Some think rural areas see less burglary.

Take advantage of any and all security resources your local police force makes available to homeowners. They often offer home inspections, seminars and even the ability to purchase items. These programs can make a big difference to the security of your home, and they may just be a phone call away.

When you choose an alarm system, pick one that offers protection that goes beyond the doors. Your windows are also points of entry for burglars. Each point of entry for your home should be monitored by the system. This helps ensure your family stays safe.

It doesn’t matter how much money you spent, you should have an annual test. Get a security comapny tech to check it. There are many things that can reduce the quality of your system. If you aren’t paying attention, you may not be aware of these problems.

After moving into a pre-owned apartment or home, change the locks. The previous tenants may have returned the keys, but they could have a copy. You can purchase locks and install them yourself to ascertain that only you have a key.

Put motion-sensor lights into your home. Lights like these will automatically turn on whenever someone is near them. You will receive advance warning of any potential issues, and a would-be intruder will probably be scared off. Make sure you regularly change the light bulbs to ensure they continue to work properly.

Always check references before letting anyone work on your home. A background check which includes any criminal history is warranted. You do not know if the people you hire are trustworthy, so do not give them a key to your home.

When dealing with companies that install home security systems, it’s important to trust your gut. This is definitely the case if you’re not quite sure about the actual installation people. You should not hesitate to ask if you can work with a different representative or find a different company if you are not comfortable. Security is supposed to give you peace of mind after all!

Having a well-lit home that’s bight in the evening can really deter crooks. Intruders will avoid being noticed. Thieves have a hard time stealing things when there are lots of lights around. Keep those lights shining brightly at night.

When securing your home, don’t forget about skylights. They look great and provide light, but also are another access point. Be certain to have skylights that incorporate strong, durable hardware.

See how long the home security company has been around before you make any decisions. Any business with multiple years of history has a proven record in being reliable. You should not trust a company that does not have a good record with your local Better Business Bureau or few years of experience.

Avoid placing spare keys under door mats or in plant boxes. You are allowing people to invade your home when you make it easy for them. Thieves aren’t stupid and also know common hiding spots. A better solution is to give your key to a neighbor you trust.

Request that prospective security firms design a system specifically for your home. Every homeowner has specific needs for their home and their family. A custom set-up will make sure you’re as safe as can be.

Ensure that valuables are stored in a hidden area that isn’t visible from outside your home. Large windows let in light and give you a great view outside, but that works both ways. You should cover any windows that are facing the street so your valuables will be safe.

If you are going on a vacation, ask a neighbor to pick up your mail and check your home for flyers. Thieves have put them up in order to see if people are home to take them down. Fliers that are not removed let the burglar know that the home is vacant.

Are you aware of the value contained in your home’s wiring? Often homeowners are unaware of this fact until they find that their wiring has been stolen. Copper, found in many wires, can be removed in little time, and is worth quite a bit of money. To keep the wiring safe, be sure that the wire is hidden from view.

Make sure that your garage is not visible from the outside in. Frosted windows prevent thieves from looking into your home and are inexpensive. Also, don’t leave your door open for long periods of time when you work there.

Any time you let a stranger into your home that is doing some kind of work, it is best to ask for references. It wouldn’t hurt to also perform a background check. You might not know that the maid or contractor entering your home is a crook, and this could be a very bad mistake.

Break down the boxes from your new TV or computer rather than leaving them on the side of the road. If thieves see these type of boxes outside your home, they may want to break in to steal the items. Break them down and put them in a bag or take them to a recycling center.

When you consider a security company, be certain you read the details and fine print of the contract you’re about to sign. 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. These are costs you’ll want to avoid.

You don’t need expensive equipment in order to keep your home secure. Criminals can be deterred by doing some cheap alternatives. This article is a great start.

If you have roommates or kids who you do not want in certain areas of the house, you do not have to lock the doors and carry around a ton of keys. Instead, use a numeric keypad. Either you or a security company can install them.