Most people envision a difficult process with regards to installing home security. It is possible, however, to find a stress-free solution. Look at this advice to quickly and easily secure your home.

You should always change the locks after purchasing a home. There is no telling how many key copies were made and given out by a previous owner. To make sure you are the sole person with access to the home, engage the services of a locksmith. You should also have your locks changed if you lose your keys.

Be very cautious about entrusting a maid service with a key to your home. Make sure you know they are legitimate before giving out the key. It is best to do a reference check on them. If the house cleaner is employed by a company, check with the BBB of your area to determine their reputation.

Home security plans have other features along with an alarm that goes off during a break-in. You can have your system alert you of any movement in certain areas of your home. This can be valuable to parents with small children as they are made aware their child has opened or closed a door.

If you want to have a spare key hidden outside of your home, hide it carefully. It is very common for homeowners to hide them under a mat or above the framing of their door, and intruders know this. Hide your alternative key on your dog’s collar.

Make sure your attached garage is secure. There is a way to stop thieves from entering your home from the garage. If your garage lifts up on a track, try using a C-clamp. This will prevent your door from opening up if the clamp is close to its roller.

Seek recommendations from friends and family when choosing a security company or system. You can learn a lot from people who have already dealt with these companies. Sometimes, you may get great advice from the people you know.

Store your car in the garage if you have it. Protect your car from vandals by keeping it in the garage. Hiding your car from plain view will also keep potential intruders from tracking when you are home and when you aren’t.

Remove old plants and debris from your yard. These can be fire hazards and can cause damage to your home. Keep your family and your house protected by regularly clearing out your yard waste.

Don’t be shy. Speak to your neighbors. Keep watch of their homes when they are away, and ask if they will return the favor. Never neglect gossip. Important security details (like the presence of strangers in your neighborhood) can come out of the most innocent conversations.

Use the space in walls to store your prized possessions. Don’t make it obvious by cutting out big chunks of drywall. There are many spots in your home that already have areas that are pre-cut. For example, you could take the wiring out of an electric socket that is not in use and put your valuable jewelry in there.

Use your garage for what it was intended: your car. Keeping the car inside is a good way to keep criminals from stealing or harming it. When your car is hidden, it will be hard for intruders to tell if you are home or not.

Don’t put your spare keys under floor mats or plants. Though you may think you are giving yourself a way into your home if you lose your key, you are actually inadvertently inviting intruders into your home. Thieves are aware of these hiding spots. Rather, give the key to a neighbor to hold.

Regardless of how long you plan on being away from your home, always lock all the doors and windows whenever you leave. Most burglars gain entry to a home through an unlocked door. It doesn’t take long for a thief to steal thousands of dollars worth of stuff.

If you live more out in the country, you may think that you’re not at risk. On a different note, some people believe homeowners in more rural areas are more likely to experience robberies because of the lack of nearby neighbors. Some think rural areas see less burglary.

Entry Points

A good home security system monitors all entry points to your home. Windows offer easy access to a potential thief. Make sure the alarm is attached to all of them, and that monitoring is offered for all possible entry points. Do this to keep you and your family safe.

A skylight is another area that needs to be protected for home security. Skylights are a wonderful addition to any home, but they also tend to be weak spots that intruders take advantage of. Any skylights in your home should be secured with strong hardware.

If your home security system is installed, be sure its wires are well-hidden. Intruders can get around security systems and into a home by cutting the wires. Never make things easy for them. Ask the person installing it to bury the wires or hide them inside the walls. This will add security.

Security Company

Be sure to replace all of the old locks as soon as you move into a new domicile. You don’t really know the people you purchased the house from or all the folks they shared keys with, so don’t place too much trust in the old locks. Bear in mind that other people may have lived in the home before the previous owner.

If you allow a security company to come to your house, make sure they appear professional and can present identification. Intruders can easy pass themselves off as an employee of a security company just to get inside your house. This can be risky for you and your belongings. Be careful to avoid this sort of danger.

Safety should be kept in mind when you are planning your landscape. There should be no plants or greenery in front of doors or windows. If they can be seen, people will not hide there and attempt a break-in. If you want to have a garden around your home, keep trees and shrubs away from your house.

It is important to always have fresh batteries and flashlights handy around the house. Having a well-charged flashlight on hand is very beneficial in case of emergency. Show your children how to use them so everyone in the family is involved.

Have home-security companies come to your home so they can design the best possible system for it. They should take your concerns seriously and address any issues you have. If you find a company that will tailor the plan you choose to your needs, you can get the highest level of security that makes you feel comfortable.

The areas outside your home should be kept well lit. Burglars prefer the cover that night provides their criminal activities. Install a light in any area a potential intruder can get into your home. Consider all your doors, porches, patios, decks, garages and all ground-level windows.

Before letting a home security representative inside, ask for identification. Many thieves use this tactic to enter a house. This leads to danger. Be careful to avoid this sort of danger.

You don’t necessarily need a fancy security system to keep your home safe. Other options include purchasing a gun, installing a fence or extra locks on your doors. Continue using these tips until your home is secure.