If you’re a female who is living alone, home security is likely very important to you. Instead of staying afraid, there are simple steps you can take to feel better. Read this article to find out more about home security.

Keep your most precious belongings inside a safe. This will help to keep your jewelry and other valuables secured in the event of a break in. This safe should be hidden in a location where burglars won’t find it, such as a hole in the wall, the attic, or a basement closet.

Change your locks if someone you don’t trust moves out of your home. Whether you have a roommate who is about to move out, or a relationship that has run its course, it is a good idea change your locks. It is inexpensive, and most locksmiths will be available for next day appointments.

When looking for a system to secure your home, do comparison shopping. Most companies have different price schemes for the the same general level of protection. Get a quote from several companies before making a final decision.

If you retain a space key for when you get locked out, consider the place you hide it carefully. It is very common for homeowners to hide them under a mat or above the framing of their door, and intruders know this. You should hide it in your dog’s collar.

Go with your gut when choosing a home security company to install a system. This is particularly true if you feel uncomfortable with a company you are dealing with. There is nothing wrong with asking for a different technician if you’re uneasy. You need to feel secure with the entire process.

Fire-resistant building materials are the way to go, both inside and outside the home. This can provide additional safety to the home, particularly in dry regions. Stopping fire hazards is a key precaution to take since the damage it causes can be considerable.

Ask friends for some advice before choosing home security companies and systems. Others have likely had both good and bad experiences that they can share with you that can then save you a lot of stress and time. Therefore, ask everyone you can in order to obtain the most advice. With thorough advice, the best decision can be made.

Rural areas are just as prone to break-ins as cities. Due to the distance between neighbors, some think rural areas are more likely to have intruders. Then again, others think rural areas are not as much of a target.

Turn off ringers on land line phones while you are on vacation. If your phone is ringing while you are out, burglars will realize that no one is home, making your home very vulnerable to an attack during your time away.

Don’t let people into your house that you don’t know. Do not give in, even if a person uses a convincing story, asks for help or says they are selling something. These people might want to actually do you harm or could be casing out your house for a future break-in.

Be sure to secure the skylights to your home. Skylights are nice to bring extra light into your house, but they are also easy ways for burglars to enter your home. Be sure that the skylights for your home are durable and reliable.

Never open the door for a stranger. People often think of ways to trick others into letting them in so they can steal from them. Only open the door for people you are expecting.

Secure your attached garage. A common concern expressed among homeowners is that someone might enter their garage and use that as an entrance to their home. There is a solution, however. Simply attach a C-clamp near the roller on the door track.

Walls are great for hiding things. 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.

Get to know your neighbors. Be friendly with people that live in the neighborhood. Watch their houses, and ask if they’d do the same. Listen to gossip also. You never know what sort of security issues you might become privy to.

You can hide your valuable items inside your walls. You do not have to cut pieces out of the walls to do this. There are many places in your home that are pre-cut and available. Unused electrical sockets can be great for hiding expensive jewelry.

Lock your home at all times to err on the side of caution. A lot of times, burglaries happen due to carelessness. A thief could steal all your valuables in only a few minutes.

If you are throwing away the box an expensive item came in, wait until trash day to put the box out. Having these type of boxes hanging around will give robbers a good idea of what type of merchandise you have inside of your home.

If someone from the security company comes to your home, ask to see their ID before allowing them in. Posing as a security professional is an excellent way for an experienced thief to get inside your house and plan a less-friendly return visit. This is dangerous for your family and your possessions. Be cautious to stay safe.

If you’ve just gotten a home, replace every lock. The previous owner may be perfectly respectable, but you can’t know that for sure. If the previous owners have never changed the locks, there could be people out there who owned the house before them and still have keys to your house.

Check references before giving anyone access to your home. You should do a background check as well to find out their criminal history. You can never be too sure about anyone you hire to enter your home, and giving them access can work against you.

Motion Detectors

If you move into a home or apartment that has been previously lived in, the first thing you should do is change the locks. Although other tenants might not have a key anymore, they could have copied it. It is possible to purchase and put in locks on your own so you can be assured you have the only keys.

If you want to make your house even more secure, a cheap way to do that is to buy outside lights with motion detectors. These lights are not only handy when you get home late, they also help deter criminals from entering your home. If they are positioned correctly outside of your home, your motion detectors can make it impossible for strangers to sneak around.

As you work on your home’s landscape, don’t forget about safety. Don’t provide burglars with cover by planting big shrubs in front of your doors and windows. This makes it where people can’t hide in different nooks and crevices. Have your landscape several feet away from your house for better safety.

If you’re hiring a company for home security, be sure to read any fine print before you sign that contract. You need to find out about hidden costs, such as cancellation fees in case you want to cancel your contract before it expires. Avoid nasty charges or fees regarding early termination, contract expiration and additional features or equipment.

As the company that is doing your home security how long they’ve been providing this service. Companies that have been around for awhile show that they can provide reliable support. When you know that you’re dealing with a company of some repute, you can feel more at ease making that decision.

Think about what you need to feel safe before considering security systems. They aren’t the right fit for everyone. Depending on your neighborhood and your household, you might well be better served by a reliable guard dog or self-defense training than by high-tech gadgetry. Be aware of your risks to make an intelligent purchasing decisions.

When you landscape your house, make it safe. Don’t obstruct windows or doors with shrubs, plants, fences or trees. If they can be seen, people will not hide there and attempt a break-in. This should be planned in advance for your safety.

You don’t have to spend a lot of money to safeguard your home. There are alternatives out there that are much cheaper and they can really help keep criminals away. Keep the advice you’ve read in mind to help make your home much safer.