Are you clueless about home security? Do you feel that there are too many options? If this sounds like you then most likely you’re looking for good information about finding a good home security system. This article will give you an overview of things to consider when purchasing a security system for your house.

Make sure that you change the locks once you’ve taken possession of the house. There is no way to ascertain how many keys the previous owner handed out. To make sure no one else can get into your home, call a locksmith. Do the same thing if you happen to misplace a key.

When looking for a system to secure your home, do comparison shopping. Prices vary significantly, even for similar levels of protection. Make sure you get quotes from at least three companies before you decide on which one you think is the best option.

Hiding places for spare keys must be chosen with extreme care and caution. Under the doormat or above the door frame are all too common spaces that will be checked first by potential intruders. Try to find somewhere less obvious.

Get rid of all of the dead wood and vegetation in your yard during the summer months. These items have a higher chance of catching fire during the hot months. To make sure your home is safer, clear your yard periodically.

If you will be gone for an extended period, turn the ringers off on all telephones in the home. When burglars hear phones ringing for an extended period of time in a home, they know that there is no one there to answer.

Use the space in walls to store your prized possessions. No need to damage your walls. Instead, you can use the small spaces that are already there. Perhaps you can use an old electricity socket as a place to hide your valuables.

Don’t make a habit of giving strangers access to your home. No matter what the excuse the person presents, keep them from entering your home. Some people want to enter your home just to see if there is a security system in place. They may be scoping the place to come back when you’re gone.

Replace all locks in a new house. Regardless of how trustworthy you consider the last owners to be, neither you nor they can be sure that there aren’t others out there with keys to those locks. Also, there have likely been other owners of the home, and you don’t know them either.

Make sure to clear your yard of brush and dead wood in the summertime. As the summer heat rolls in, there is a higher chance that these can catch on fire, putting your home at risk. Clearing your yard keeps your home, belongings and family much safer.

Rotted Wood

If your house has a garage, keep the car there, not just your junk. If your car is locked up inside, it cannot be stolen or vandalized. Additionally, if your car is put away, burglars will not be able to tell whether or not you are home.

Be sure to replace rotten wood in the frame of your front door. Rotted wood can be easily removed by thieves. Keep your home secure by replacing rotted wood with fresh timber.

Walls are excellent hiding spots. Concealing small valuables in your walls is an easy and highly effective way to protect them. Just take advantage of the phone jack, electrical outlet or unused switch plate. Even if every single plate in your home is being used, you can purchase a fake one purpose-built for concealing valuables.

Before you let security company representatives into your home, check their ID. They might not be who you think they are. This can lead to harm befalling your family and possessions. Make sure you are as cautious as you can be.

It is important that you do not put expensive valuables in plain sight. Having large windows in front of your home may be a great way to see what is happening outside, but it can also give crooks a view inside your home. Keep your curtains drawn to keep your valuable items safe.

A great way to achieve extra security is to install exterior lighting equipped with motion detectors. Nighttime security lights are affordable and effective in terms of security and handy in terms of visibility and safety. They also help to keep intruders away, because an intruder does not want to come close to your property if they know they might be spotted.

After installing a security system in your home, make sure any wires are hidden. Burglars can easily cut the wires if they are visible. Hide them in the walls or bury them underground to keep people from tampering with them. This will add security.

Invest in a high quality paper shredder. Thieves often find the trash cans to be a gold mine of pertinent information about potential victims. Cutting the papers into small pieces with a pair of scissors is another option.

Don’t throw away boxes for expensive or valuable items until the garbage collection day. Doing so is like giving a burglar an invitation to target your home; he or she will know there is something good inside.

Empty Boxes

If you are new into a house, replace all the locks. While the person you bought the home from may seem on the up and up, you have no idea who they really are. Remember that other families may have lived there before that person as well.

If you buy something that is expensive, you need to make sure you don’t leave empty boxes curbside. Burglars will instantly take notices of these boxes and what used to be in them, making you an easy burglary target. Break down the empty boxes whenever possible.

Any time you let a stranger into your home that is doing some kind of work, it is best to ask for references. A background check may also be a good idea. You can never be too sure about anyone you hire to enter your home, and giving them access can work against you.

Are the numbers of your home visible from the street? The police will find it difficult to locate your home quickly if your address numbers are difficult to see. Luckily, this is a quick and inexpensive fix if you notice that there is a problem.

If you are searching for ways to make your home more secure, one inexpensive way to accomplish this is to purchase exterior lights that have motion detectors. In the evening hours, this lighting can provide extra security and an economical way to light your front entrance way when you arrive. They also help to keep intruders away, because an intruder does not want to come close to your property if they know they might be spotted.

A great protection against burglars is owning a dog. Man’s best friend is very territorial and makes a lot of noise during anything happening out of the ordinary. You don’t even need a huge, vicious dog. Even the barking of a tiny dog can repel potential burglars, who want to avoid noises as they carry out their crimes.

Take advantage of the Internet while comparing your home security options. Look at many websites and read customer reviews about the various services. Then you can schedule an appointment for a home visit to discuss which package is best for you and what it will cost.

You should know more about home security after going over these tips. Use what you have learned in this article and apply it to your situation. You will be glad that you did, and it’s time to take care of this very important matter.

Invest in a good paper shredder. Thieves can get lots of information simply by looking through your trash. Rip paper into tiny pieces if you can’t afford to purchase a paper shredder.