Continue reading if you need advice about home security. This is an important decision involving a costly investment. If you want to make a sound decision, you’ve got to have all the right information.

Home security systems are able to do more than just sounding the alarm whenever you have an intruder. The majority of systems will give an audible alert when someone enters the house. For families with young children, this is excellent for alerting when a child has entered or left the house.

When you buy a new house, be sure the locks are changed. You never know how many copies of the keys the previous owners made and handed out. Call a locksmith as soon as you can for maximum security. You should also do this if your keys ever get lost.

When placing your spare key outside for emergencies, give careful consideration to where you put it. Intruders will think to look on the top if a door frame and under a doormat. Think outside the box and put the key someplace unusual, like hidden in your dog’s collar.

Home security systems are able to do more than just sounding the alarm whenever you have an intruder. Many systems sound an alert whenever people enter the house. This isn’t just for burglars; parents with young children can also use it as a valuable tool to know when their child has come inside.

Buy fire-resistant building materials. This will give your home added security. You can enhance home safety with excellent fire precautions.

Your garage should be as secure as your home. There is a solution for people that are worried about burglars going into their home through an attached garage. If your garage door happens to lift on a track, using a C-clamp can help. the C-clamp prevents the door from opening if it’s tightened on the track close to the roller.

Get to know your neighbors. Talk to your neighbors. You’ll find that friendly neighbors make for a powerful support network. Keep an eye on their properties and they’ll respond in kind. Also consider listening in on some of the neighborhood gossip. You will learn a lot from your neighbors, including details about recent break ins in the area and the shady individuals they noticed.

Local Police Department

Use motion sensors on exterior lighting. These lights turn on if someone walks closely to your house. These lights will make you aware of, and can also scare off, potential burglars. Remember to keep working bulbs in them at all times.

See if your local police department offers any home inspection or other protection programs. There are many that offer programs that include items, such as home inspection, how to use engraving tools to mark code numbers to identify valuables if yours are stolen, and protective measures advice. Contact your local police department to find out if they offer this type of program.

When dealing with a company installing your home security system, it is important that you trust your gut. If you don’t feel comfortable with the technician, don’t allow them access to your home. You should not hesitate to ask if you can work with a different representative or find a different company if you are not comfortable. You want the system to make you feel like you’re more comfortable.

Install lights that have motion sensors. They will illuminate your property if they sense any movement near your home. These lights will make you aware of, and can also scare off, potential burglars. Just remember that you must change the bulbs often in order to keep the lights working in order.

If you bought any big or expensive things, wait until trash day to throw away the boxes. If you leave the boxes out all week, it lets people know what type of items you have in your home.

Follow your instincts when choosing a home security company. If the installers make you feel uncomfortable, heed your feelings. Ask the company to send a different installer or simply change companies. You need to feel secure with the entire process.

There is a lot of value in copper wiring. Many people are not aware of this until they are stolen from their home. Copper wiring is quite valuable, and it’s quick and easy for criminals to strip it right off the outside of your house! Make sure your wiring is hidden or hard to access to keep this valuable property safe.

Walls can be a great hiding spot. Small valuables fit nicely inside walls. Any phone jack or electrical outlet that isn’t being used is a great place to hide valuables. If you do not have any unused plates, it is easy to install a false one.

Be sure to replace rotten wood in the frame of your front door. Anybody wanting to break into your house can just pry off rotted wood and get inside. Replace it as soon as possible.

You can hide your valuable items inside your walls. No need to damage your walls. There are lots of places around the home that have pre-cut areas that you can use. For example, you might remove the cover of an electrical outlet, disconnect the wires, and use the space to hide small valuables.

Before you let a security company representative enter your home, make sure they are in uniform, and don’t hesitate to ask them for identification. Having the name of the technician coming to your house ahead of time can help to ensure you are allowing someone who really works for the company into your home. This is dangerous for your family and your possessions. Caution is always advisable if dangers like this are to be avoided.

Your valuables should not be easily seen from outside your home. Large front windows are great, but they also allow others to peer into your home. You always want to make sure you keep your valuables covered if they are by a window.

Wireless alarm systems are a great investment. While systems with wires are cheaper, you have to rewire your home and worry about power outages. Wireless systems tend to be easier for installation and maintenance, and they will not go out if your power does.

If you bought any big or expensive things, wait until trash day to throw away the boxes. These boxes sitting outside your home serve as a flag for thieves to target your home.

Don’t let anyone peek into your garage. Go to a hardware store and buy some frosting so you can cover your windows. Don’t let your door hang open for lengthy periods of time.

Rotting Wood

If you purchase a new, pricey electronic like a TV or computer, don’t leave the empty box near your curb. A burglar may see the box and decide to target you as a result. Break the boxes down, or take a scissors to them to help them fit in your trash can.

Replace rotted wood around entryways. Rotting wood is easy to remove and take apart if someone is trying to get in. Replace rotting wood with new wood to stay safe.

Are you able to see the numbers on your house from the street? Small or obscured numbers can make it difficult for emergency personnel to locate your home. If you notice a problem, you should be able to fix it fairly cheaply, though.

You can keep intruders away by always having your house lit up. They prefer not to be seen. When you have a well-lit home, crooks won’t be able to hide and it will be hard for them to break in undetected. This makes it a good idea to keep the lights on.

Ask your security company about the lengths of contract they offer. There are likely pros and cons to each. Long contracts are cheaper every month, but can outlast your stay in the home. A short contract may seem more expensive each month, but you have more freedom.

Inquire with your home security service as to how long they’ve been in business. Look for a security company that is well-established and has extensive experience in the industry. Realizing you at involved with a stable firm will give you a sense of calm that is important.

Avoid storing car registration in your glove compartment. These documents contain a lot of sensitive personal data, like your home address. Hide them somewhere else in the car, or carry them with you. You still need to have them close in case you are pulled over.

Have a home security company come to your house and come up with a system that best suits your needs. The needs and wants of each family and the configuration of each home are quite individual. The right company will make you feel more safe and secure in your home.

If you are concerned about the cost of maintaining your security system, then you may find that a hard-wired solution is a good option. Wireless systems are of course convenient, but unfortunately you have to change numerous sets of batteries regularly. Not replacing the batteries keeps your system from working properly. Replacing several batteries will quickly add up.

When checking out security companies, ask whether they allow you to choose between buying or leasing the system. Purchasing equipment outright will cost more initially, but may offer savings over the long term. Leasing is a good way to avoid the initial expense, but you will have to pay monthly fees. Compare these two options before making your decision.

An automatic device can control your lights, turning them on and off at the time you set. Not only does this save you a step, you can continue the routine even when you are not home.

Always keep valuables you can’t replace secure. Items like passports, family photos, financial records, expensive jewelry and legal documents are best kept in a secure location. Floor safes are great for keeping these items inside the home. A better idea is storing them inside a type of safe deposit box that’s outside your home.

Sliding glass doors are a big security problem in many homes. They can be simply unlocked with a lift and a shake. You have to secure them, so use a piece of pipe in the track. This will keep the door closed tight and harder to force open.

If you understand what lies ahead, now is the time to act. It is very important to realize how important home security is, as it is the best way to keep you and your family safe. Keep these tips in mind as you secure your home.

Locks from the inside can be helpful, but it’s not real useful if you are unable to lock your door from the outside. One of the most secure locks is a deadbolt that has a key to lock it from both sides of the door and cannot be opened by an intruder.