You should definitely be concerned about your home’s security. You can’t tell just when a burglar might break in to take valuables or hurt people. Read this guide to make your house more secure and safer.

When you buy a new house, change the locks. This is because you really have no idea who has keys, and therefore access to your home. Have a locksmith install a brand new lock. In addition, replace your locks if your keys ever get lost.

Make your home look occupied at all times. Buy timers that will make your TVs, radios and other electronics turn on and turn off at various times. This makes people think you’re home. This can be a terrific method of securing your home and keeping burglars at bay.

Don’t post online when you’ll be away from your home. While these platforms are there for sharing, this is announcing to the world that your home is an open target.

A spare key must be carefully hidden and not in the obvious spots that a person might think. Placing a key above a door or under a doormat is quite obvious! Try hiding your key on a lawn statue or in a potted plant.

Don’t let strangers enter your house. No matter how innocent a person may seem or how interesting the product he or she may be offering, you must not allow access. Some people will knock on your door simply to see whether you have a security system.

Don’t let people into your house that you don’t know. Even if they tell you a sob story about needing help, this warning remains true. 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.

Don’t open your door if a stranger is on the other side. Folks are always thinking up new schemes to get people to open the door so that they can commit their crimes. Make it a habit to only open your home’s door to people you were expecting.

Use exterior lights that have motion sensors. When a person approaches your home, the lights will blaze. You will be alerted when there is activity outside, and any potential burglars will be deterred because they do not want to be seen. Make sure you keep fresh light bulbs in your motion activated lights so that they will work correctly.

Talk to the police department in your area to see what safety programs they have. Some police departments offer things like code numbers to help find your valuables should they get stolen. Get in touch with the department to determine their offerings.

Trust your instincts when it comes to hiring a home security company. You should be very picky when it comes to letting people inspect your home. It’s your home, and you are free to hire any company you like. Do some background research on the company you select, and look for people who make you feel safe.

You need to have your security system checked once a year. Ask a home security employee to give it a look. Many factors cause issues with security systems like nature and wild animals. You may not be able to tell there is an issue by yourself.

If you’ve got skylights, don’t forget about it when it comes to home security. While they are there to let light in, if you do not care for it properly it could also let in a thief. Make sure your skylights have reliable, heavy duty hardware in place.

If you are seeking home safety ideas that are simple and inexpensive, you should buy outdoor lights with motion sensors. Motion detection lights will turn on as soon as something or someone enters your yard. If they are positioned correctly outside of your home, your motion detectors can make it impossible for strangers to sneak around.

You can hide things in your walls. You should think about hiding certain small valuables within your walls. Any phone jack or electrical outlet that isn’t being used is a great place to hide valuables. Installing a false unused plate is very easy to do if your home doesn’t have one.

Don’t allow your landscaping make it easier for burglars to break into your home. All of your windows and doors should be unobstructed by plants, shrubs, trees or fences. If they are visible, people won’t be able to hide there while trying to break in. If you want to have a garden around your home, keep trees and shrubs away from your house.

If you have just bought any pricey new goods, never toss the boxes onto the curb prior to the garbage man’s arrival. Having these boxes around will let thieves know the type of items that are inside your home.

Ask your security provider about their history in the business. A company with a long history has proved they can survive and provide great service to people. It’s good to know that the company won’t disappear overnight and leave your home unprotected.

Be sure to replace all of the old locks as soon as you move into a new domicile. The previous owner may be perfectly respectable, but you can’t know that for sure. Also, there have likely been other owners of the home, and you don’t know them either.

Think about getting a home security system that is wireless. A wired system might cost less, but they can require extensive rewiring work and may be rendered useless if the power fails. Wireless systems are much more simple to install and upkeep, and the power inside your home will not affect them.

The most useful tool for finding home security is the Internet. Go through different websites and investigate testimonials about different companies and packages. Then you can schedule an appointment for a home visit to discuss which package is best for you and what it will cost.

If you don’t have a paper shredder, you might want to buy one. Thieves often find the trash cans to be a gold mine of pertinent information about potential victims. If paper shredders don’t fit into your budget, you can manually rip up important documents yourself.

Don’t limit security to the inside of your home; the outside needs attention too. You should not let plants and shrub block your doors and windows. No one can easily break into a window which everyone can see. Keeping the areas around your windows free of plants can help to deter criminals from lurking too close to your home, without you noticing.

The best way to keep a burglar out of your garage is to ensure no one can see inside. Cover your windows in frosting, which can be bought at big box hardware stores, so people can’t peek inside. Also, don’t leave your door open for long periods of time when you work there.

Have a home security company come to your house and come up with a system that best suits your needs. Everyone has specific wants and needs when it comes to securing their home, family and belongings. If you’ve found a company that can tailor a system to you, you can receive the greatest amount of security to make you feel much more comfortable.

Keeping a dog provides a great way to boost your home’s defense. They are protective about their territory, plus they make noises that keep burglars at bay. That is not to say that a big, scary dog is required. Little dogs can also make big noise, which is the main thing that burglars care about.

Wireless Systems

Don’t get spring latch locks. These locks can be opened easily with a credit card. The card is slid into the crevice between the latch and the door, pushing the latch back and springing the lock open. If you already have spring latch locks, install a deadbolt for added security.

There are wireless systems available for home security, as another option. While the wired systems are less expensive, they usually mean rather intrusive wiring for your house, which can also go out during power outages. Wireless systems are much easier to install, and they can work independently of your home’s power.

Do you turn the lights on and off during the same time period? If so, consider a timer. This makes it easier for you as you won’t have to flip the switch, but it also ensures the lights continue to go on and off, even if you’re not at home for a long period of time.

If you don’t own a paper shredder already, you might want to get one. A thief looking through your discarded papers can find a lot of information you do not want them to have. They may even learn your schedule, so they can burgle your home while you are away. Cutting the papers into small pieces with a pair of scissors is another option.

Always keep your irreplaceable valuables secure. Some examples include legal documents, expensive jewelry, financial records, passports and family pictures. One option is a floor safe inside your home. It is even better to rent a safe deposit container for absolute security.

If you lose your house keys often, you might want to install a keyless entry system. Use a code-access lock for any door you don’t want others opening. Any good security company can provide and install these locks, or you can even put them in yourself.

If your door isn’t either metal or solid wood, replace it with one that is. Metal or solid wood doors cannot be broken. A burglar would not be able to kick that door in. It’s relatively inexpensive to get new exterior doors for your home.

Be realistic about the things that can happen to violate the sanctity of your home. Things happen all the time, so preparation is key. Use what you have learned today to make the right decisions to keep your family safe.

A sliding glass door can make your home less secure. Shaking the doors or even simply lifting them can unlock them. If you do not have a security system hooked up to them, cut a length of pipe to fit in the door channel. This prevents the door from being opened.