Your home may be in danger and you may not even know it. Don’t ever assume bad things can’t happen to you or your family. Keep reading for useful advice on deterring burglars and making a secure home.

Look at the prices for all of the security systems that you are interested in. Each company has different rates for their security system. Get at least 3 quotes from security system companies and compare features and services as well as monthly costs.

Once you buy a house, switch out the locks. Many people may have been given keys by the former owner. Having a locksmith replace the locks will ensure that no strangers have a key. This is also a good idea in the event that you misplace your keys.

Make sure to use caution when deciding if and where to hide an extra key outside of your home. Above doors or under doormats are much too common to hide them and potential criminals will check them first. A better place to keep your key is inside your outside dog’s collar.

Before selecting a security firm, ask for recommendations. Your loved ones likely have dealt with this situation before. Ask around to get lots of advice for making a better choice.

Home security systems offer additional features besides loud alarms during a break-in. The majority of systems will give an audible alert when someone enters the house. This is a valuable safety feature for parents of small children since they know if their child has exited the home.

You need to secure your garage if it is attached to your home. There is a solution for people that are worried about burglars going into their home through an attached garage. If your garage door happens to lift on a track, using a C-clamp can help. the C-clamp prevents the door from opening if it’s tightened on the track close to the roller.

Keep your car in your garage. Keep the car within the garage will make sure no one harms or steals it. When it is in hiding, people won’t know if you’re home.

The materials of your home should be fire resistant. This give your home an extra protection layer. Lowering or eliminating the risk of a fire is an extremely important home security strategy because a fire can cause extreme destruction very quickly.

Use motion sensor lights. When a person approaches your home, the lights will blaze. Then you will know someone is present, and if the person is a burglar, he or she will be very likely to turn around and leave. However, make sure to put in fresh bulbs every now and then.

Always lock your house, even if you are only going to be away for a few minutes. Many home thefts start with the thief simply walking in an unlocked door or window. A thief can take plenty of valuables in minutes.

You should never open your door to someone you do not know. People you do not know could have bad intentions or want to get an idea of how many valuable objects you own. Establish a rule where you and your family only open the door for expected visitors.

When selecting a home alarm system, choose one that protects many areas of your home, not just the doors. All windows can be entry spots for thieves. Attach the alarm to each window and ask for monitoring for them. With this method, your family will be safer.

Remove and replace any wood that is not up to par. Rotted wood can be easily removed by thieves. Wood that is beginning to rot should always be replaced to make sure your home stays safe.

Keep your car in your garage. Keeping the car in the garage can keep thieves from vandalizing or stealing it. Storing your car in the garage will also make it difficult for anyone casing your home to figure out when no one is going to be there.

Check someone’s references carefully before letting them come into your home. For a relatively small fee, you can also run a background check for their criminal history. You can’t always be sure that maids, service workers or contractors are honest, and therefore giving out keys can be a big error.

Install a surveillance system in your home. Adding video cameras on the property can be a good idea. Visible cameras deter the majority of intruders, and if they try to disarm them, a camera that is hidden will keep capturing footage. Surveillance systems often allow you to access videos through your cell phone, too.

Install motion-sensor lights. These kinds of lights will pop right on when they detect motion near your home. This is a good way of knowing who comes near your home and keeps you safe if you ever come home late. Get in the habit of checking and replacing the bulbs as necessary to ensure the lights remain effective.

Break down the boxes from your new TV or computer rather than leaving them on the side of the road. Burglars will see those boxes and realize that there are valuable things in your home for them to get. Cut up the boxes completely instead.

Dogs are an excellent way to protect your home. They are protective about their territory, plus they make noises that keep burglars at bay. A dog with a vicious attitude and large size isn’t necessary. Even tinier canines can ward off intruders with enough noise.

You want an alarm system that protects more than your doors. Each window represents a possible entry for your thief. Make sure the alarm is attached to all of them, and that monitoring is offered for all possible entry points. This can keep your family much safer.

If there are parts of your home you want no one else to enter, there is no need to lock doors or have a set of keys on you at all times. It is possible to have locks that require just codes, not keys. Either you can install them or home security companies can.

You need to inquire about whether you can buy or lease the home security equipment. Buying will save you a ton of money over time. While leasing might be less expensive, it also comes with high monthly fees and contracts. Explore both options to see which works best for you.

Replace all the locks in your newly purchased home. While the person you bought the home from may seem on the up and up, you have no idea who they really are. There are other people who have lived in the home as well.

When you don’t want to spend a lot on maintenance, go for a hard-wired system. Systems that are wireless are convenient, but the batteries required can be cumbersome. If the batteries are not changed, the system might not work at all. Furthermore, it can be costly to replace multiple batteries.

A timer can help you regulate when you turn the lights off or on in the evening. A timer will turn your lights on and off randomly and functions whether you are home or not.

It’s smart to use the Internet when you are looking for a good security company for your home. Research the possibilities, check out package options and pricing and analyze customer feedback. Then you can schedule an appointment for a home visit to discuss which package is best for you and what it will cost.

Take to your security company, and find out if they have motion activated lights. Most companies offer this option which detects within a given distance of your home and alerts you that someone is approaching. This can give you a heads up if a robbery was about to happen.

Having a burglar alarm is really good, but it is only good if the police is alerted when it sets off. Purchase a centrally monitored alarm to reap all the security benefits possible. Neighbors won’t always be home to call.

Install a surveillance system in your home. You can have great home security with both hidden and visible video cameras. Visible cameras are a deterrent to most intruders, and should they decide to disable them, a hidden camera will continue to capture footage. Nowadays, you can track your surveillance on your own cell phone.

Criminals can be unpredictable, so it’s difficult to tell whether your residence may be a burglar’s target. You can do a lot more to protect your home and your family than just hope it doesn’t happen to you. Keep these tips in mind, and continue to research ways to keep your home and family protected.