If you have pricey items like art and jewelry in your home, don’t assume that no one knows these things are there. In order to protect the things you own, putting a little thought into home security is a must. The following tips can help put you in the safest position possible.

Make sure that you change the locks once you’ve taken possession of the house. Many people may have been given keys by the former owner. To make sure no one else can get into your home, call a locksmith. If you lose keys, make sure to do this, too.

Make your house look like it’s always occupied. Have electronics and lights with timers and set them to go off at various times. This gives off the appearance that someone is home. This is an excellent technique that helps avoid robberies while keeping the property safe.

Don’t open your door when strangers are knocking. There are people who are going to be convincing, but they can just be professional thieves. Never open the door to anyone you do not know.

When dealing with companies that install home security systems, it’s important to trust your gut. If the installers make you feel uncomfortable, heed your feelings. You don’t want to refrain from choosing a different company or technician. You want the system to make you feel like you’re more comfortable.

Don’t give the keys to your home to a professional cleaner unless you trust them completely. Only select service people who are totally trustworthy. Be sure to make sure their references check out. If the house cleaner is employed by a company, check with the BBB of your area to determine their reputation.

Hide valuables in spaces in your walls. It is not necessary to cut out pieces from your wall. You can find pre-cut areas in your walls that can be used. How about unwiring an electricity socket and using it as cover for a place to stash valuable jewelry?

Even if you’re not going to be gone long, keep your home locked. Most real-world burglars aren’t master lock-breakers; they simply stroll in through a door left carelessly unlocked. It doesn’t take long for a thief to steal thousands of dollars worth of stuff.

Home security systems have additional features to just being noise alarms. Many systems can alert you whenever anyone has entered your home. This is a valuable safety feature for parents of small children since they know if their child has exited the home.

Security System

Make sure the wires of your home security system are completely hidden. Many intruders bypass a security system by cutting the wires. Don’t make it easier for them, so have wires hidden in the house’s walls or buried. This will make you much safer.

If you have an extensive online presence that includes a lot of people you don’t know too well, avoid announcing upcoming vacations. While these platforms are there for sharing, this is announcing to the world that your home is an open target.

Your door frame should be replaced if the wood around it is rotting. Rotted wood can be easily removed by thieves. Replace wood that is starting to rot with fresh new wood to keep your home as safe as possible.

If you move into a home or apartment that has been previously lived in, the first thing you should do is change the locks. The previous tenants may have returned the keys, but they could have a copy. For maximum security, buy your own locks and install them yourself. This way you can be certain nobody else has a key.

If you’re going on a trip for an extended period of time, switch the ringer off on all home phones. A constantly ringing phone can signal to a burglar that the house is vacant, making it an easy target for their criminal activities.

You should not enter your home if you find the door ajar. The burglar may be on the premises. Call the cops and let them do the initial walk through.

Look into wireless security systems. Wired systems might be a bit less expensive, but they often involve intrusive rewiring of your home, and can become faulty during a power outage. Wireless systems don’t need your home’s power in order to properly work. In addition, they can be usually be installed and maintained easier.

Never open up your door to a stranger. You never know who they might be, despite their story. Make a house rule forbidding anyone to open the door for an unexpected visitor.

If a friend picks up your mail while you’re away, have them check for fliers on your door. Thieves will drop off flyers to see if home owners are away. Fliers that are not removed let the burglar know that the home is vacant.

Install a home surveillance system. You can have great home security with both hidden and visible video cameras. Cameras that can be seen are an excellent tool for preventing most burglars from breaking into your home. However, if they are brave enough to try to disable your cameras, hidden cameras will capture them. It is possible to use your cell phone to look at your surveillance camera, meaning you can see your house when you’re gone.

When summer comes around, eliminate all vegetation and dead wood from your yard. This sort of thing is a fire hazard in the heat of summer. Keeping your plants and bushes trimmed will benefit your family’s safety as well as the appearance of your home.

Never place empty boxes for expensive items out on the curb. These boxes are a signal to burglars that you have something worth stealing. Cut the boxes and wait until the garbage truck comes to put them outside.

Instead of seeing your home as impossible for burglars to target, you should try preparing for the worst. You should not become paranoid about home invasions, but keep in mind that you can avoid dangerous situations by protecting yourself. Keep these tips in mind if you want to improve your home’s security in order to protect your family.

Always go with your gut when it comes to choosing a security firm. This is particularly true if you feel uncomfortable with a company you are dealing with. You should not hesitate to ask if you can work with a different representative or find a different company if you are not comfortable. You want the system to make you feel like you’re more comfortable.