You likely know someone who has been the victim of a home burglary. If home invasions have become more frequent in your area, it is time to invest in an efficient home security system. People could break into your home any time. The following article shows you some of the things you can do for your own security.

Carefully consider where you hide your outside spare key. Above a door frame or under a mat are not smart ideas. For a better solution, try tucking your spare key into your dog’s collar, provided you have an outside dog.

After getting a new home, make sure to change its locks. There is no way to ascertain how many keys the previous owner handed out. Get a locksmith in right away. This is also the thing to do if you lose the keys.

Buy housing materials that are fire resistant. This will help ensure the safety of your home, particularly if your home is located in a dry area. Keeping fire hazards away is a great safety precaution since fire can cause lots of destruction.

Home security plans have other features along with an alarm that goes off during a break-in. Most systems could sound an alarm when someone enters the home. For families with young children, this is excellent for alerting when a child has entered or left the house.

If you’ve got skylights, don’t forget about it when it comes to home security. While they are nice and help with lighting, they also provide the burglars help with access to your home. Check that skylights have heavy duty hardware that can stand up under unwanted tampering.

Security Systems

Place your valuables in cut-outs in your walls. It is unnecessary cut space into your wall. There are many places in your home that are pre-cut and available. For example, place jewelry in an unused electrical outlet.

Look at the prices for all of the security systems that you are interested in. Prices for home security systems can vary and they do not all offer the same services. Make sure you get quotes from at least three companies before you decide on which one you think is the best option.

After bringing home a big-ticket item, such as an appliance or electronic device, avoid leaving the packages on the curb before trash day. They show the world you have money and lots of valuables inside.

If there are folks you don’t know or trust in your social network online, don’t let them know you are going away. Although it’s fun to talk about, posting it online makes it more possible for criminals to find out when you’re gone.

When moving into a house, ensure that each lock has been replaced. Though you may not suspect that the seller is up to something, you still need to be careful. Keep in mind that other people may have lived in the home prior to the seller.

Consider the advice of your friends when selecting your home security company. They may have had experiences with certain companies and can lead you in the right direction. Ask around to get lots of advice for making a better choice.

Rotten wood on door and window frames needs to be repaired. Rotten wood is easily removed and can give an intruder a way into your home. Replace this old wood if you want to keep your house safe.

Don’t open your door when strangers are knocking. Many people are devising many different schemes to get into homes and burglarize them. Make sure everyone in your house knows not to open the door unless they know the person standing outside.

The outside of your house should be well lit. Criminals like to blend into the shadows, so do your best not to provide too many for them. Add lights to any areas you believe are potential entry points for burglars. All doors, porches, garages and windows should be well lit.

Always have your security system checked each year. A security professional should visit to help with the testing process. There are many things that can be problematic with regards to home security systems, like wayward wild animals and the environment. If you cannot see a problem, you might not know one exists.

Think about your personal security needs before you purchase a home security system. While alarm systems are great, they aren’t necessary for every family. Sometimes just taking a class in self defense or adopting a loud dog is enough, while at other times a full fledged security system might be the way to go. Understanding your needs will help you make a good purchase decision.

You should not be shy. Introduce yourself to your neighbors. By knowing the people in your neighborhood, you can rest a little easier knowing that people are looking out for each other. Also consider listening in on some of the neighborhood gossip. You may stumble across valuable security information, like if someone has noticed a stranger lurking around the neighborhood.

Consider purchasing a wireless security system for your home. 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. A wireless system, on the other hand, requires less maintenance and is simpler to install.

Listen to your intuition as to whether your system is being installed by a trustworthy home security company. This is definitely the case if you’re not quite sure about the actual installation people. Ask for someone else to come out or switch companies. The point of that system is to feel safer after all.

Consider installing a surveillance system. Installing hidden and visible video cameras is great for securing a home. Visible cameras deter the majority of intruders, and if they try to disarm them, a camera that is hidden will keep capturing footage. You can sometimes access security systems using your cell phone, keeping you informed on the go.

The wiring on your house is valuable to burglars. Many people have their wires stripped each year. It does not take much time to strip off the expensive copper wires from the exterior of your house. Be sure that your wiring is concealed or difficult to access in order to keep your wires safe.

A dog is a great home security alarm. They are protective of their home and owner and will alert you if someone is on your property. Keeping a huge and ferocious canine is not necessary. As long as he is noisy when strangers approach, he’s a great addition to the security of your home.

If you are seeking home safety ideas that are simple and inexpensive, you should buy outdoor lights with motion sensors. Cost-effective and aesthetically pleasing, these lights really add value to your home. Whenever you properly position these lights, they will make it almost impossible for burglars to sneak in.

Steer clear of locks with spring latches. These type of locks can actually be opened by using a credit card. A thief only needs to skip the credit card in between the lock to make it open. Add a deadbolt to existing spring latch locks for maximum security.

Do not assume you are safe from home burglaries. If a home looks easy to break into, a thief will break into it. Make your home a safer place for your family by following the advice presented here and making your home unappealing to burglars.

Put the shades down on your windows when you are out. If you leave them open, potential burglars can look in and case the joint. It could be enticing to break in if they notice something that’s nice. You should have the windows covered when you’re asleep.