No matter if you own or rent, you need a safe place to call home. There are many ways to add to the security of your living space. Keep reading to find out what you can do to make things safer.

Talk to people you know about their security systems. Knowledge of first-hand experiences can be very helpful to you when it comes to making this important decision. Taking a little time to listen can make you a much better decision maker when it comes to home security.

Make sure that you change the locks once you’ve taken possession of the house. You don’t know the exact number of copies of that key the previous owners have or have handed out. To make sure your home can only be accessed by you, enlist the help of a locksmith. You should also do this if your keys ever get lost.

Always have your security system checked each year. Ask a home security employee to give it a look. Many factors cause issues with security systems like nature and wild animals. If it’s not visible, you might not even know there’s a problem.

Rural Areas

Only allow maids and cleaning services to have a key to the house if they are known to be trustworthy. If they need the keys and plan on being in there for more than an hour, try to ensure that they are honest, hardworking, and reputable. Make sure you verify all references. If you are using a cleaning firm, make sure it has an excellent Better Business Bureau rating.

People in rural areas are not usually as worried about burglaries as people in cities. Interestingly, many think those living in rural areas are actually more susceptible to break-ins since neighbors may not live close by. However, understand that regardless of where you live, a theft can occur anywhere. Therefore, you need to be prepared.

Walls make the perfect hiding spot. If you have valuables that are small in size, you may want to hide them within your walls. Just use an unwired electric plug, light switch or phone box. If you don’t have unused plates, it’s easy to put in a fake one.

Get advice from your friends before selecting a provider for home security. Your loved ones likely have dealt with this situation before. Do your research; it will help you make a good decision in the end.

Use the spaces in your home’s walls to store valuables. It’s not necessary to cut out parts of your wall to do this. There are many spots in your home that already have areas that are pre-cut. If you have an electric socket you do not use, hide valuables behind their covers.

Don’t put your spare key in an obvious place near your front door. You may believe you are making life easier for yourself, but you may just be giving thieves simple access to your house. Burglars always know just where to look. Rather, keep your spare keys with a neighbor you trust.

If you do not know the person at your door, don’t open it. People often think of ways to trick others into letting them in so they can steal from them. Never open the door to anyone you do not know.

Always lock your house, even if you are only going to be away for a few minutes. It may be a little surprising, but most burglaries and break-ins happen because the intruder just walks right through an open door. It does not take long for thieves to steal a lot from your home.

It is important to always have fresh batteries and flashlights handy around the house. Having a well-charged flashlight on hand is very beneficial in case of emergency. Your whole family should be trained on the proper use and maintenance of flashlights.

If you have a garage, increase your home security by using it to house your car, rather than just for storage. Keeping your car in your house will deter intruders from vandalizing or stealing it. Keeping your car out of sight is also a good way to prevent intruders from determining whether or not you are home.

Check references before giving anyone access to your home. A background check is also recommended so you know if they have a criminal history. You do not know if the people you hire are trustworthy, so do not give them a key to your home.

A simple way to increase your home security is to add motion lights around the house. Cost-effective and aesthetically pleasing, these lights really add value to your home. By carefully placing them around the outside of your property, you create a perimeter that cannot be breached.

Regardless of the quality of your home security system, you need to have it checked each year. The security company should have a specialist come to look at it. Many factors cause issues with security systems like nature and wild animals. You might be unaware of problems that arise in some cases.

Keeping your house bright and lit at night will deter many crooks. They don’t want visibility. A well-lit home will make it hard for intruders to hide and take your valuables without being detected. So keep those lights on at night for a secure home.

Wireless home security systems are becoming more popular. A wired system is probably less expensive, but wires are a hassle. A wireless system is easy to install, and will not become inoperable if your power goes out.

Before doing anything else, install new locks in your home. Perhaps you aren’t sure who owned the home before you or maybe an old roommate has a key and never returned it. Regardless, changing the locks will ensure your security. Most locksmiths can accomplish the job within 24 hours.

Are your house numbers visible from the street? If there is need for cops to come to your home, it will be hard for them to find it if the numbers are not readable or are tiny. Thankfully, you can right this wrong cheaply and quickly.

Ask about different contract lengths that your home security company may offer. There are sure to be both good points and bad points about each option. Longer contracts may create a lower bill per month, but you you could maintain those monthly expenses if you discontinue service or sell the home. A shorter term allows for flexibility, but it might be expensive.

Lock the house, even if just going away for a short time. Most real-world burglars aren’t master lock-breakers; they simply stroll in through a door left carelessly unlocked. Thieves can steal thousands worth of your belongings very quickly.

Find out if the company you choose will give you the option of buying or leasing home security systems. It might cost more at first when buying the equipment, but you don’t have the extra cost each month. You’ll pay higher monthly fees if you lease the equipment, and that will add up over time. Look into both choices to know which one is better for your personal circumstances.

Do not store your car registration in your glove box. If someone steals your car, this will tell them where you live too. Keep them with you or hide them elsewhere. They’ll always need to be close by in the event you get pulled over.

Always check references before letting anyone work on your home. A background check is also a good idea, so that you know what their criminal history looks like. You might not know that the maid or contractor entering your home is a crook, and this could be a very bad mistake.

Since you have read this article, you are ready to begin making your home secure. Stop wasting time, and put these ideas in motion. Allow them to springboard your individual ideas in order to make your home secure and keep it that way. When your home is safe, you’ll have peace of mind.