Home security is very much misunderstood. It’s possible to protect your home if you know what information to study. Read on for some helpful tips that you can use to secure your home.

When you buy a new house, be sure the locks are changed. The previous owners or tenants might have made several copies of the key. To make sure you’re the only person that can get into your home, contact a locksmith. Give a key to someone you trust in case you get locked out.

Place the spare key that you make on your dog. This is a great idea if your dog is outside all the time, or they can get out through a doggy door. Attach the key to your dog’s collar, and it will be handy if you ever need a spare.

If there are folks you don’t know or trust in your social network online, don’t let them know you are going away. Though trips are always fun to talk about, you may be doing little more than telling burglars the best times to visit your house.

Home security systems aren’t just about sounding alarms. Some give offer the option to monitor all entries into the house. This can be useful if you’ve got small children that are able to open doors.

Talk to people you know about their security systems. Other people will probably have personal experience with these companies that are either good or bad. They can share their experiences with you, which will greatly assist you in making the best decision. Spending a few days asking for reviews is useful in helping you choose correctly.

Use a safe to protect your valuables. If an intruder breaks into your home, at least these valuables will be secure. Be sure to put your safe in an out of the way place like the basement, attic or under the floorboards.

Keep your car in your garage if you have one. Keeping your car in your house will deter intruders from vandalizing or stealing it. Besides, intruders will have a hard time determining whether or not you are home if you keep your car inside your garage.

If you have a lot of unfamiliar people on you social networking accounts, avoid letting everyone know you will be going on vacation. It can be exciting to tell everyone about your vacation, but you could potentially be letting a burglar in on your whereabouts.

There’s no security system so durable that it can go without regular maintenance and inspections. Have yours checked out once a year. Call the company and have them send someone to check it out. A number of factors can cause problems with your security system, including wild animals and mother nature. If it’s not visible, you might not even know there’s a problem.

If you will be gone for an extended period, turn the ringers off on all telephones in the home. If the phone continues to ring while you’re gone, this lets an intruder know that the home is empty.

Go with your instincts when choosing a security system company. This is doubly true when you feel unease about the installers. Make sure that the installer has experience installing your type of security system. You want your new system to protect you, not be the way the thief gets into your home.

Don’t let people into your home unless you know them. Even if their story is compelling, they need assistance or want to sell you something. Some criminals will come in, case your house and then come back when you are away.

If you do not reside in a big city, you may not worry as much about home burglaries. 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. Then again, others think rural areas are not as much of a target.

Avoid opening the door if you don’t know who is standing on the other side. People you do not know could have bad intentions or want to get an idea of how many valuable objects you own. Never open the door to anyone you do not know.

The walls of your home make for great hiding spots. Keep small, valuable items inside the walls of your home. Any phone jack or electrical outlet that isn’t being used is a great place to hide valuables. You can also just put in a false plate to cover a hiding place.

Local Police

If you’ve bought large or pricy items, avoid throwing out boxes until the day the trash is scheduled for pick-up. Having these boxes around for a while will give people an idea of what is inside your house.

See what the local police offer when it comes to home protection programs. Your local police department will help you with preventive measures, inspect your home and show you how to mark your valuables so they can easily be found. Contact the police department to see if they have something similar.

Check each spring for any rotting frames on your doors and windows. Replace them immediately if you spot any problems. Anyone who wants to get into your home can easily pry away rotted wood and slip right into your home. Replace rotting wood with fresh wood to improve your home’s security.

Always have your security system checked each year. Get a security comapny tech to check it. Mother nature can sneak in and cause many problems. If you don’t see the problem, you may remain unaware of it.

The most useful tool for finding home security is the Internet. Look at many websites and read customer reviews about the various services. Then, you can set appointments to make price and service comparisons before you choose.

You no doubt have a good idea of how important home security is. However, most homeowners don’t know what steps to take with regards to home security. It is hoped that this information has helped you to know how to take charge of your home security.

Keep safety at the forefront when landscaping your property. Don’t provide burglars with cover by planting big shrubs in front of your doors and windows. No one can easily break into a window which everyone can see. Put these features at a greater distance from your house; let beauty also complement safety.