A safe home is the only place worth living in. The home should be secure when they leave and come back. This article can give you the information you need to make sure your home is secure.

Be sure that your home is always occupied. You can buy timers to have radios, TVs, lights and other electronics go off and on at different times. This makes people think you’re home. This is an excellent method for avoiding burglary and keeping your home secure.

Look for ways to make your home seem occupied. Use timers to make electronic devices and lights turn on and off at intervals. This will make your home look like someone is in it. This is an excellent technique that helps avoid robberies while keeping the property safe.

When you’re going away, turn off your phone ringers. This is because a phone that is ringing and ringing can tip of a burglar that nobody is currently home.

Buy ceiling, roofing and flooring which is resistant to fire. These materials will protect your home from both internal fires and the spread of fires that start on other properties. Avoiding fire hazards is a great way to keep things safe.

If your house has a garage, keep the car there, not just your junk. 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.

Before agreeing to work with a security company, check with your friends and family for recommendations. You can learn a lot from people who have already dealt with these companies. Making a great choice is important, so this advice will come in handy.

Motion sensor lights on the exterior of your home is a great idea. They turn on only if someone is nearby. Not only will you know that someone is out there, it will also deter burglars because they want to be inconspicuous. But keep in mind that the bulbs to the security light should be routinely changed to ensure that the deterrent system functions properly.

Do not place your spare keys under your mat or even in plant boxes. Though you might think that you’re giving yourself something you could use to get into your house when you’ve lost your keys, you’re actually inviting intruders inside your house. Thieves are aware of all these spots. Rather, give your spare key to a neighbor or friend that you trust.

Keep the wires of your home security system hidden. One of the ways an intruder can get around a security system is by disconnecting or cutting the wires. Hide them in the walls or bury them underground to keep people from tampering with them. This way, you will be safer.

You never want people to be able to see your valuables from outside of your home. Large windows allow you to keep an eye on who is approaching your home, but keep in mind that potential intruders will be tempted if they can see your valuables. Cover all street-facing windows.

Replace rotted wood around any door frames. Rotted wood can be easily removed by thieves. Replace any wood that has begun to rot with new wood so that your house stays safe.

Lock your home when you leave, even if you don’t think you will be away for long. It may be shocking, but many home invasions and burglaries occur by intruders walking through the front door that was left open. A thief could steal all your valuables in only a few minutes.

Your flashlights should always be equipped with good, working batteries. These items will help you remain safe when there is no electricity. Teach your children how to properly use flashlights.

If you purchase big-ticket items, don’t throw their boxes in the trash before trash day. Empty boxes might draw the attention of robbers and let everyone know you own new and expensive goods.

Before letting a home security representative inside, ask for identification. Intruders can easy pass themselves off as an employee of a security company just to get inside your house. Intruders could disguise themselves as home security representatives to inspect your current security system. Be careful to avoid any potential dangers.

Replace all the locks in your newly purchased home. Regardless of how you feel about the sellers, you never know someone’s true intentions. And, other people could have lived in the home previously to them as well.

Always get references from anyone you are considering hiring to do work inside your home. A background check is also recommended so you know if they have a criminal history. You don’t know whether the contractor, maid, or repairman that you’ve hired is trustworthy and handing them your keys could be a costly mistake.

If you move to a place that was occupied before, you should change the locks right away. Although it’s normal for owners / tenants to surrender their keys when they leave, there’s no way of knowing who else might have copies. It’s easy to install locks, so you can just purchase them at the home improvement store and swap them out to be sure you have the only keys.

When hiring a home security company, make sure to read the fine print on the contract you are signing. There may be hidden costs in the event you wish to cancel before the end of the contract. This may also be true if you need more or different equipment in the future. Be aware of these particular fees so you can steer clear of them.

If someone from the security company comes to your home, ask to see their ID before allowing them in. Burglars are creative, and they often pose as a member of the security team to get inside. This is dangerous to your valuables and your family. Proceed with caution.

A good way to scare off intruders is to keep your house lit at nighttime. They do not want to be seen. Good lighting in your home means that crooks have no hiding places. Keep your lights turned on during the night.

Before you let any strangers enter your home, be sure you look over their references. You need to do background checks in order to find out about their criminal history. Anyone you bring into your home to work could be your worst enemy.

Ask about the different contract durations that a security company can offer you. Each probably has its own set of positives and negatives. A contract that is longer might offer lower monthly payments, but you may have to continue with these if you decide to sell the house or discontinue services. Shorter contracts mean more freedom along with higher costs.

When you landscape your house, make it safe. Don’t provide burglars with cover by planting big shrubs in front of your doors and windows. Do not give robbers a chance to hide in any area. Keeping the areas around your windows free of plants can help to deter criminals from lurking too close to your home, without you noticing.

You need to take your car registration documents out of your car. These valuable documents provide criminals with information about your home location. Keep them with you or hide them elsewhere. However, make sure you have them in case you were to get pulled over by the cops.

Ask the home security companies to visit your home and design a system tailored to your needs. Each situation is different. A custom set-up will make sure you’re as safe as can be.

Keep your drapes closed at night. You don’t need to have an invitation to people through your window. If potential thieves notice any expensive valuables within your home, they might target you. Use some discretion and make sure to block your valuables from view with curtains or shades.

Wireless Systems

If you have a door that isn’t solid wood or metal, change it for either one. These doors will hold. This makes it much more difficult for a burglar to kick in the door and break in. It’s a good idea to replace all your exterior doors with more secure ones. It really doesn’t cost a lot.

Think about having a wireless security system for the home installed. While wireless systems are often cheap, the cost of installation can be sky high. The wireless systems are simpler to maintain and install and they don’t need power from the home to run.

Try not to get sliding glass doors in your home if security is a serious issue. They can be unlocked with a bit if jiggling. If you do not have a security system hooked up to them, cut a length of pipe to fit in the door channel. This will make the door a lot harder to force open.

Can you read your house numbers while in the street? Make sure they are large in case emergency personnel need to find your house. Luckily, this is a quick and inexpensive fix if you notice that there is a problem.

Most people like to avoid their neighborhood gossip; however, you should consider having them on your side. If there are people lurking around your home that look suspicious, this busybody may be the first to notice. By being friends with them, the probability of them notifying you immediately is higher.

Now that you have read this article, you have the knowledge you need to protect your home. How will you use it? Use some of the ideas shown here and continue to educate yourself on the options available to you so that you find the right system to meet your needs.

Also, keep your second floor windows locked at all times. Many people overlook this since they don’t think criminals will check them. Burglars watch for open second story windows. This is often a weak area that criminals know about.