No one is safe from burglaries and other dangerous situations. Home invasion cases are going up, and people need to be more thorough with home security. A break-in can occur anyplace at all. This piece discusses measures you can take to boost security at home.

Always make your house appear to be occupied. Buy timers so that lights, radios, TVs and all other electronics turn on and off at various times. This will give the appearance that someone is at your house at all times. This is a simple way to improve your home’s safety and make it less attractive to criminals.

When you buy a new house, be sure the locks are changed. There is no way to ascertain how many keys the previous owner handed out. To make sure you have the only access to the home, hire a locksmith. Make sure you do the same thing if you lose your keys sometime.

Good home security systems sound a loud alarm when breached, and that’s not all. Some give offer the option to monitor all entries into the house. This is great for parents that have small children so that they know when their kids open or close doors.

Invest in a safe in order to secure very valuable items. This is very important, as you do not want your gold, diamonds and personal items exposed if someone were to break into your house. Conceal the safe in an out-of-the-way and not easily accessible spot, such as an attic or a basement area.

Don’t announce your vacation agenda on your social networks. This is especially true if you have lots of unfamiliar “friends”. While you may want to shout it from the rooftops, you’re letting everyone know that your home will be vacant and easy to rob.

If you keep a spare key outside to prevent yourself from being locked-out, think carefully about where you hide it. The doormat is too obvious of a place to hide it, as robbers will look there first. Try hiding the key in your outside dog’s collar.

Do not open your door for anyone you don’t know. You never know who they might be, despite their story. You should make sure you only open the door to your home for people that you know and are expecting.

Get rid of all of the dead wood and vegetation in your yard during the summer months. These items have a higher chance of catching fire during the hot months. Keeping your plants and bushes trimmed will benefit your family’s safety as well as the appearance of your home.

Do you live outside the city? You might be less worried about home invasions than if you lived in an urban area. Some maintain that rural dwellers have greater risk since their neighbors live farther away. Still, many believe that rural environments are less frequently targeted by burglars.

Don’t forget to secure your skylights too. As nice as they look, they’re a prime target for thieves. Make sure that you use safety hardware when the skylights are installed and maintained.

Take advantage of any and all security resources your local police force makes available to homeowners. There are lots of different programs, like home inspections, that will help you take the proper steps to make sure your home adequately protected. Contact your local police department to find out if they offer this type of program.

The walls of your home make for great hiding spots. You should think about hiding certain small valuables within your walls. Use an old switch plate, outlet or phone jack. If you don’t have unused plates, it’s easy to put in a fake one.

Be sure your valuables are not visible from the outside of your house. Large windows let in light and give you a great view outside, but that works both ways. Always keep your windows covered and do not tempt others by displaying your possessions.

Keep your car in the garage. It won’t be vandalized or stolen this way. Keeping your car out of sight is also good for thwarting burglars’ attempts to determine when you are likely to be away from home.

Lock your home at all times to err on the side of caution. It may be a little surprising, but most burglaries and break-ins happen because the intruder just walks right through an open door. It doesn’t take long for a thief to steal thousands of dollars worth of stuff.

The number one thing you must do if you’re moving into a new place is have the locks changed. They previous occupants may have made copies of the keys. You can change the locks yourself if you’re feeling really industrious.

Use the space in walls to store your prized possessions. It is unnecessary cut space into your wall. Many places around your house have areas that are already pre-cut. How about unwiring an electricity socket and using it as cover for a place to stash valuable jewelry?

Whenever you sign with a home-security company, it is important that you thoroughly read the contract. There might be hidden costs or other things you should know about. It’s best to know about these fees in advance so that you can avoid them when possible.

Keeping your house bright and lit at night will deter many crooks. These crooks do not wish to be noticed or seen. By minimizing dark and shady areas, you are taking away a potential burglar’s hiding spots. So keep those lights on at night for a secure home.

Avoid placing spare keys under door mats or in plant boxes. While you may need to prepare if you have a spare key, it is wise to choose ways that do not increase the risk of a criminal gaining entrance to your home. Burglars are familiar with these hiding spots. Instead, give your extra key to a neighbor whom you trust.

Before you think about home security, consider personal security and safety. While these systems could be good for protecting your family, they aren’t for everyone. In some neighborhoods, you might be better off taking a self defense class or owning a dog, while in others, the latest innovations in home security will protect you best. Understanding your needs will help you make a good purchase decision.

Always request that your house or pet sitter remove fliers from your door. Thieves will drop off flyers to see if home owners are away. The more flyers pile up or the longer they are there, the more likely it is that the house is empty.

Be certain your wires are hidden, if you have installed a security system in your home. Burglars can easily cut the wires if they are visible. Do not make entry into your home easy. Make sure the wires are not exposed either inside or outside your home. Keep yourself safe.

Do not think that only wealthy people get robbed. Any home that looks easy to break in is a target. If you use the tips here to improve your home security, your family will be much safer.