Home security has a large market now. Burglaries are commonplace in neighborhoods across the globe. Criminals often target homes with minimal security. Read this article to learn how to get your home out of a burglar’s sights.

You should always change the locks after purchasing a home. The person who previously owned the home may have made copies of keys. Hire a locksmith so that you can be sure you are the only person who can access your home. If you lose your keys, you should do the same thing.

Security systems are more than just an alarm. They can be programmed to alert the homeowner if a person enters the home. This is a good way to know if your small child has opened a door or closed it.

Spare Key

Is your dog outside when you are away? He or she is actually a great place to store your spare key. You can attach your key to your dog’s collar in order to keep the key hidden. If your pet does not get along with strangers, this will ensure your spare key stays safe.

If there are people you don’t know that have access to your social media sites, then you don’t want to let all of them know you’re on vacation. It’s natural to be excited about your trip, but this is as good as throwing out the welcome mat for people who know your home is unoccupied.

Never allow a stranger to enter your home. There are some people who are very convincing and good at getting you to let them into your house. 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.

Even if you have a great security system, it must be checked annually. Get someone from the security firm to inspect it. A number of factors can cause problems with your security system, including wild animals and mother nature. You may not even know there is a problem if it is not visible.

It is important that you check your home security system periodically, at least once a year. Have a worker from the security company take a look at it. There are many things that can reduce the quality of your system. You might be unaware of problems that arise in some cases.

It will not benefit you to be shy. Get to know other people who live next door and others in your neighborhood. Look out for their property, and see if they will look out for yours. Listen to gossip also. You may find out helpful information about strangers lurking around.

If you reside in the country, you may be less worried about break-ins than urban dwellers are. There are differences between large cities and homes located in the countryside. Still, there are those who are of the opinion that rural properties are less of a temptation to burglars.

Meet with representatives from the security company you are considering to determine if they are trustworthy. This is definitely the case if you’re not quite sure about the actual installation people. There is nothing wrong with asking for a different technician if you’re uneasy. Do some background research on the company you select, and look for people who make you feel safe.

Be sure your valuables are not visible from the outside of your house. 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. Keep your windows covered and your belongings private.

After making major (i.e. expensive) purchases, don’t dump the packaging out front if your next scheduled garbage pick-up is several days away. They show the world you have money and lots of valuables inside.

It is not a good idea to hide a spare key on your property. These are the first places criminals will look when they try to enter your home. Any thief knows all the typical hiding spots. Try having your trustworthy neighbors hold spare keys.

Replace all the locks in your newly purchased home. 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. Many other people could have keys to the property, and you probably don’t want them to all have access to your home.

Were you aware that your home’s wires are valuable? Some intruders could strip your home of every bit of copper. A skilled intruder could remove all the copper from your home within less than an hour. That’s why it’s important to hide your wiring, or make it hard for criminals to have access to it.

Always lock your house, even if you are only going to be away for a few minutes. It may shock you to know this, but a lot of intruders get inside homes through open doors. A thief can steal your most valuable possessions in a short amount of time.

Motion sensing lights are a good way to increase home security. Motion detection lights will turn on as soon as something or someone enters your yard. If the lights are positioned correctly on your home, then it makes it much less likely for a burglar to enter.

Having a bright and lit-up home at night deters crooks. This will deter crooks from trying your home. Making your home’s exterior nice and bright will make it impossible for crooks to go undetected. Keep your lights turned on during the night.

If you have just moved into a new home, have every single lock replaced. While the person you bought the home from may seem on the up and up, you have no idea who they really are. There are other people who have lived in the home as well.

Keep safety in mind when doing landscaping. Don’t obstruct windows or doors with shrubs, plants, fences or trees. This makes it where people can’t hide in different nooks and crevices. Keeping the areas around your windows free of plants can help to deter criminals from lurking too close to your home, without you noticing.

Inquire with your home security service as to how long they’ve been in business. It doesn’t take long for a quality company to prove itself in the security business, and you should look for a track record of satisfied customers and successful work. You get better peace of mind if you deal with someone you know you can trust for the long haul.

If your home isn’t new, replace the locks. Previous tenants may have given the keys back to the landlord, but it is always possible to make copies of keys. For maximum security, buy your own locks and install them yourself. This way you can be certain nobody else has a key.

Ask the home security companies to visit your home and design a system tailored to your needs. They should take your concerns seriously and address any issues you have. Doing this helps you get the best security you can get from the company, helping you to relax.

Could burglars see inside your garage? Make sure that they can’t! Have your windows frosted so they aren’t as easy to see through. Keep your garage door closed as often as possible, too.

Always check references before letting anyone work on your home. You need to do background checks in order to find out about their criminal history. You can’t know for sure about the integrity of people you hire, and blindly giving them access to your home can be a huge mistake.

Keep curtains closed when you aren’t at home. Intruders can look into your house if the blinds are up. If they notice something valuable, they’re more likely to invade your home. You should have the windows covered when you’re asleep.

Talk to your home-security company to see if they provide buy and lease options for your equipment. Purchasing your equipment may cost more in the beginning, but this is a one-time cost which does not recur. You’ll pay higher monthly fees if you lease the equipment, and that will add up over time. Explore both options to see which works best for you.

If you want to make your house even more secure, a cheap way to do that is to buy outside lights with motion detectors. At night, not only will these lights be handy to light up areas around your home,they are also a cost-effective and efficient security addition. When they are positioned correctly, they make it pretty much impossible for intruders to get to your house unnoticed.

The security of your home is essential for you and for your family’s safety. Crime always strikes whenever it is least expected. Remember these tips and create a home security system. Don’t delay. Act now before tragedy strikes.