You should always feel concerned about your home’s security. You never know when someone is going to try and break in to steal your things and potentially try to do harm to you. Read on, and learn how to make your domicile more secure.

Do not give the key to your home to your cleaning person unless you are certain they are worthy of your trust. 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. It is best to do a reference check on them. If applicable, call the BBB to inquire about their reputation.

Change all of your locks when you move in. You will want to have a unique combination to stay secure. To make sure you are the sole person with access to the home, engage the services of a locksmith. This is also the thing to do if you lose the keys.

Fire-resistant building materials are the way to go, both inside and outside the home. This is a good way to protect your home against fires, for instance if you live near power lines or in a dry area. It’s best to prevent a fire before it starts.

Home security systems have additional features to just being noise alarms. They can be programmed to alert the homeowner if a person enters the home. Parents riding herd on small children will be thankful for this feature which makes it harder for kids to sneak outside without supervision.

Always go with your gut when it comes to choosing a security firm. This is particularly true if you’re uneasy with those that install your actual system. Ask the company to send a different installer or simply change companies. Your security system is supposed to help you, not cause you more stress.

Buy a safe to contain everything of great value. This ensures during a break in that the most important things are not stolen. Keep your safe in a hard-to-get-to place, such as a basement closet or your attic.

The walls of your home make for great hiding spots. You can hide small valuables in your walls. Just use an unwired electric plug, light switch or phone box. If you use all of them, you can always have fake ones installed.

Think very carefully about where to hide your spare key. Avoid cliched hiding places like over the door frame or beneath the doormat. Experienced criminals will check these places immediately. A possible solution is to attach a key to your outdoor dog’s collar.

Place your valuables in cut-outs in your walls. This does not mean that you should make alterations to your walls. There should be pre-cut spaces throughout your home that will suffice. If you have an electric socket you do not use, hide valuables behind their covers.

If you have a stranger at your door, do not open it. Nowadays, people invent many stories of why they should come in. For instance, they may say they need to call a mechanic or the police. However, their true intent is to rob you. You should make sure you only open the door to your home for people that you know and are expecting.

Make sure that none of your valuables can be seen from the outside. You might enjoy large windows so you can see out, but just remember that makes it easier for those burglars to see inside your home as well. Blinds are a great way to allow the light in, without allowing people to see in at the same time.

Attached Garage

If you are throwing away the box an expensive item came in, wait until trash day to put the box out. Having these boxes around for a while will give people an idea of what is inside your house.

Be sure to secure your attached garage. Some people are concerned about burglars entering through an attached garage. If your garage lifts up on a track, try using a C-clamp. This will prevent your door from opening up if the clamp is close to its roller.

When you consider a security company, be certain you read the details and fine print of the contract you’re about to sign. There may be hidden costs in the event you wish to cancel before the end of the contract. This may also be true if you need more or different equipment in the future. It is best to know all you can about a service you sign up for.

Use your garage for what it was intended: your car. If your car is locked up inside, it cannot be stolen or vandalized. Storing your car in the garage will also make it difficult for anyone casing your home to figure out when no one is going to be there.

It’s smart to use the Internet when you are looking for a good security company for your home. Check out different websites, and read through package details and customer testimonials. Then you can schedule an appointment for a home visit to discuss which package is best for you and what it will cost.

Don’t be shy. Speak with your neighbors. By knowing the people in your neighborhood, you can rest a little easier knowing that people are looking out for each other. Don’t ignore the gossip. You can learn of important security information, including if strangers have been lurking.

Don’t limit security to the inside of your home; the outside needs attention too. The doors and windows of your home should not be obstructed by trees, fences or shrubs. Do not give robbers a chance to hide in any area. Utilize shrubs and trees farther away in order to add beauty to your home while keeping it safe.

A skylight is another area that needs to be protected for home security. They look great and provide light, but also are another access point. Be certain that skylights in your home can be locked securely.

Keep your home’s exterior areas illuminated well. Burglars like the cover of darkness to commit their crimes. Install lights by each and every entryway to your home. This can include the garage, doorways, porches and other areas which invite an intruder in.

Use the spaces in your home’s walls to store valuables. You do not need to remove segments from your walls. There are many locales that are already around your home. Consider unwiring an electrical socket that isn’t used and storing your valuable jewelry.

In the event you find your door open upon arriving home, you should never enter and investigate yourself. The thief might still be inside, and you don’t have any idea whether or not they are armed. Go to a neighbor’s or another safe area and call the police.

If you allow a security company to come to your house, make sure they appear professional and can present identification. It is easy for potential thieves to present themselves as representatives of a company in order to gain access to your home. This is dangerous for your family and your possessions. Trust your gut and if something does not feel right, it is okay to go with your feelings.

Don’t leave the boxes of any high priced electronics on the curb of your house. Burglars pay attention to this, and it will make them want to break in and get the items. Remember to cut up the boxes when they’re emptied.

Before allowing someone into your house, be sure to carefully check their references. Try doing a background check to look at their criminal history. You never really know if you can trust a service person, and giving access to the wrong one can prove disastrous.

You don’t need to rely on keys to prevent entry to certain areas of your home. Keyless locks require a code to unlock the door. You can either install these locks by yourself, or have them professionally installed if you are not that handy yourself.

Think about safety when designing your home. Make sure that there is nothing obstructing your doors and windows. This way, no one can hide there if they are attempting to break into your house. Utilize shrubs and trees farther away in order to add beauty to your home while keeping it safe.

Inquire as to the different lengths of contracts offered by your security company. There are sure to be both good points and bad points about each option. A contract that is longer might offer lower monthly payments, but you may have to continue with these if you decide to sell the house or discontinue services. Shorter contracts likely allow you more flexibility with exiting the plan; however, you will probably have a larger monthly bill.

Before signing up for home security, find out how long they’ve been in business. Any business with multiple years of history has a proven record in being reliable. You get better peace of mind if you deal with someone you know you can trust for the long haul.

Think about getting a hard-wired home security system if maintenance costs are an issue for you. Although wireless security equipment is easy to install, it relies on battery power, necessitating constant battery swaps. If you neglect to switch out the batteries regularly, your security system won’t function properly. In addition, replacing multiple batteries can be expensive.

Think about the safety of your family realistically, instead of optimistically. Trouble can come down on you at any moment, and that’s why it’s important to prepare yourself as best you can. Use what you have learned today to make the right decisions to keep your family safe.

Motion sensitive lighting can be provided by your security company. A lot of companies provide this, and it makes the exterior lights in your home turn on immediately when someone approaches any entry way. Motion sensitive lighting can scare off an intruder and allow you to safely enter your home.