A homeowner is responsible for keeping their house secure. Purchasing a home security system is just one of many things you can do. Read on for some tips to boost your home’s security.

Always make your house appear to be occupied. You could purchase timers and have your TVs, lights, radios and other types of electronics to go on at various times. This way, it will appear that you are at home. This is a simple way to improve your home’s safety and make it less attractive to criminals.

Think very carefully about where to hide your spare key. Intruders will think to look on the top if a door frame and under a doormat. Instead, try hiding a key on the collar of an outside dog.

If someone comes to clean your home, only give them a key if they’re trustworthy. Before you give a cleaner full access to your home for extended periods of time, you have to be certain that they’re trustworthy and reliable. Check their references fully. If you hire a cleaner who works for a company, speak with your local BBB about the company’s reliability.

Buy a safe and use it to hold all of the valuables in your home. This is vital, as you want to safeguard your valuable items in case of home burglary. Hide your safe in a hard to find place like the basement or attic.

Do not post on your social media accounts regarding when you will be away on vacation. Although you may want to let others in on your excitement, it may inadvertently give burglars a heads up to target your property.

Compare various home security systems when shopping. You would be surprised to see that the prices are much different for each company, even though it’s for the same type of protection. Obtain quotes from a minimum of three home security companies before making a final decision.

Don’t announce your vacation agenda on your social networks. This is especially true if you have lots of unfamiliar “friends”. It can be exciting to tell everyone about your vacation, but you could potentially be letting a burglar in on your whereabouts.

Never allow a stranger to enter your home. This includes a salesperson or people looking for help. 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 let people into your house that you don’t know. No matter how innocent a person may seem or how interesting the product he or she may be offering, you must not allow access. This person might just be casing the joint to see if there is home security equipment.

If you do not know the person at your door, don’t open it. Criminals find ways to get people to open doors so they can commit crimes. Only open the door for people you are expecting.

Your garage should be as secure as your home. There is a solution for people that are worried about burglars going into their home through an attached garage. Using a C-clamp on the garage door will prevent it from opening by staying on the door’s track.

Security System

It is important that you check your home security system periodically, at least once a year. Your security company should send a representative to check your system. The weather and animals are two things that may cause havoc on your home’s security system. You might be unaware of problems that arise in some cases.

Avoid being shy. Build up a rapport with the people who own homes close to yours. Ask them to look after your home, and in return, look out for theirs. Pay attention to gossip. You may learn some great information about security, such as if any strangers have been hanging around.

Install lights that use a motion-sensor. They’ll flip on when people walk within a certain distance of your house. They will notify you of any movement and can deter any possible burglars since they like remaining inconspicuous. Just do not forget to replace the bulbs periodically to keep them functioning at all times.

Changing your locks first can help make your home much more secure. There are many different people who might have keys from your past, and removing the potential of them accessing your home can be a very good idea. Most locksmiths can accomplish the job within 24 hours.

Try installing motion-sensor lights. Lights like these will automatically turn on whenever someone is near them. 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. But keep in mind that the bulbs to the security light should be routinely changed to ensure that the deterrent system functions properly.

Be sure to secure the skylights to your home. Intruders could use skylights to enter your home. Skylights need to be installed correctly and safely, with hardware that will keep intruders out.

It is not a good idea to hide a spare key on your property. You might think that you are providing yourself a safe way into the house if you misplace your keys, but you are really inviting attackers inside. Thieves are familiar with these hiding spots. A better option is to entrust an honest neighbor with a spare key.

Your home may be equipped with skylights, and if so you must not neglect them in your security planning. While they are there to let light in, if you do not care for it properly it could also let in a thief. Having heavy duty, reliable hardware is best when it comes to skylights.

If you move into a home or apartment that has been previously lived in, the first thing you should do is change the locks. You do not want anyone to have a copy of the key. You can purchase and install locks yourself to make sure only you have the key.

If you hire a security company, read any fine print. They sometimes have hidden costs if you let go of them prior to the contract expiring. You should avoid such expenses if you can, so make yourself aware.

If you have a home security system installed, make sure the wires are hidden. If the wires are exposed, an intruder can bypass the system by cutting its wires. Keep the wires hidden in the walls or underground to keep intruders from getting in. This helps keep you and your family safe.

Ask your home security company how long they have been in business before you sign up for service. You can be sure that an established company has a good track record of providing solid and reliable service. You may not feel as safe if you opt to go with a company that has not been in business for long or that does not have a stable history.

You should be able to put the suggestions provided above to good use in your quest to improve the security of your home. Although home security might appear to be a complicated issue, it is crucial that you utilize home-security strategies in order to protect your home and family. The above advice should be of help.

Change all of the locks in your new residence. While the person that previously had the home may seem okay, you don’t know who they actually are. Remember that different families might have dwelt there before this person.