It goes without saying that, as a homeowner, you wish to keep your investment safe. Few feelings are worse than seeing your house damaged or, worse, destroyed. Not only is your home a large investment, there are often precious memories tied to it. Read on to learn how you can secure your precious home.

You should always change the locks after purchasing a home. You don’t know the exact number of copies of that key the previous owners have or have handed out. To make sure no one else can get into your home, call a locksmith. Also, you can contact a locksmith if you ever misplace your keys.

Place the spare key that you make on your dog. This can be done if your dog can come outside. Put a key on the dog’s collar so you have access to it when necessary!

When you decide to purchase a home alarm system, make sure you comparison shop. Prices can differ a lot among companies for the same type of protection. Get quotes from several companies before making a decision.

Shut off the ringer for all of the telephones in your home if you are planning to go on vacation for a long time. A ringing phone that goes unanswered may signal to a burglar that nobody is home.

Make sure you have a safe to keep valuable items in one place. This is very important, as you do not want your gold, diamonds and personal items exposed if someone were to break into your house. Hide that safe in a difficult-to-reach place like in a closet inside your basement or an attic.

Whenever you are selecting a home security company, make sure you go with your gut feelings. If the installers make you feel uncomfortable, heed your feelings. Don’t hesitate to request a different technician or to hire a new company altogether. After all, the point of the system itself is to help you feel more at ease.

If you reside in a small town or rural area, then you might not be as worried about someone breaking into your home as city dwellers may be. People who live in the country may even be more vulnerable because they do not have nearby neighbors. Some think rural areas see less burglary.

If you want to have a spare key close to your house in order to prevent lockouts, make sure you give its hiding place some careful thought. Doormats and door frames are predictable places that burglars will always check. Think outside the box and put the key someplace unusual, like hidden in your dog’s collar.

Avoid leaving spare keys outside of your home. You may believe you are making life easier for yourself, but you may just be giving thieves simple access to your house. Burglars are well aware of these hiding places. Rather, give your spare key to a neighbor or friend that you trust.

Always lock your house, no matter how briefly you expect to be gone. Most real-world burglars aren’t master lock-breakers; they simply stroll in through a door left carelessly unlocked. It does not take long for thieves to steal a lot from your home.

It doesn’t matter how much money you spent, you should have an annual test. The security company should have a specialist come to look at it. There are many things that can reduce the quality of your system. If you don’t see the problem, you may remain unaware of it.

Be on the lookout for rotten wood anywhere near your doors or windows. Anybody wanting to break into your house can just pry off rotted wood and get inside. Replace it as soon as possible.

If you are entering a house that has already been occupied, you should first change your locks. Previous tenants may have given the keys back to the landlord, but it is always possible to make copies of keys. You might even purchase and install your own locks so that you are assured of having the only keys.

If you do not reside in a big city, you may not worry as much about home burglaries. With neighbors so far away, it may seem like a tiny risk. Some think rural areas see less burglary.

If you’re going to hire a company that provides home security, read everything in the contract before you sign it. They sometimes have hidden costs if you let go of them prior to the contract expiring. It’s best to know about these fees in advance so that you can avoid them when possible.

Get some professional assistance by asking a home security company to come to your house and work up a plan for a customized security system. The needs and wants of each family and the configuration of each home are quite individual. You’ll get the best protection by using a company that can tailor a plan to your requirements.

You can hide certain valuables within your walls. This doesn’t necessarily involve chopping up your walls, either. Your home should have a few pre-cut areas that can be used. Why not take the guts out of an electrical socket you’re not using? You can convert it into a convenient and covert little wall safe.

The areas outside your home should be kept well lit. Burglars like using darkness to hide. Install a light in any area a potential intruder can get into your home. This includes doorways, windows, and your garage.

Inquire whether a security company offers variable contract lengths. These lengths can be both good and bad. You might pay less each month for longer contracts, but it has its deterrents as well. Shorter contracts allow your greater freedom, however they usually cost more each month.

You should always lock up your house, even if you’re only planning to be gone for a short time. It may be shocking, but many home invasions and burglaries occur by intruders walking through the front door that was left open. Thieves can make off with large amounts of valuable merchandise very quickly.

When you aren’t home, be sure to close your blinds, curtains or shades. Intruders can look into your house if the blinds are up. If they see something they like, they will then break in. Close your drapes or blinds while you are asleep, too.

Always keep your irreplaceable valuables secure. Legal and financial documentation, IDs, pricey jewelry, and important mementos like family albums should be protected as carefully as possible. Floor safes are great for keeping these items inside the home. You may even choose to store them outside your home in safety deposit box.

Be certain your wires are hidden, if you have installed a security system in your home. If the wires are exposed, an intruder can bypass the system by cutting its wires. Do not make entry into your home easy. Make sure the wires are not exposed either inside or outside your home. This will help to deter intruders that are looking to quickly disable your alarm system.

Improving the security of your home should not be difficult. Take the time to learn as much as you can about home security. Give your home a security increase by using these ideas. Do everything in your power to make sure your house and your family are safe.