If you happen to be single female, perhaps a mom living by yourself, it is extremely important that you understand the topic of home security. Rather than living in fear, you can take simple measures in order to improve your security. Continue reading to learn more about home security systems.

After getting a new home, make sure to change its locks. You will want to have a unique combination to stay secure. Having a locksmith replace the locks will ensure that no strangers have a key. If you lose keys, make sure to do this, too.

Be sure your home appears to always be occupied. Buy timers so things will go on and off at different times. This way, your house will always look occupied. That means burglars will pass right by.

When you decide to purchase a home alarm system, make sure you comparison shop. Prices can differ a lot among companies for the same type of protection. Get three quotes or more before making a choice.

Don’t allow anyone you don’t know to look into your house. Even if someone has a good story, requires help or has a great product to sell, ignore them. It’s quite possible that your charming guest is only interested in evaluating the security of your home; if they find it lacking, they may be back later to relieve you of some of your possessions.

It is important to invest in building supplies that are as fire resistant as possible. This will help ensure the safety of your home, particularly if your home is located in a dry area. Stopping fire hazards is a key precaution to take since the damage it causes can be considerable.

Avoid coming across as overly shy. Introduce yourself to your neighbors. Keep watch of their homes when they are away, and ask if they will return the favor. It does not necessarily pay to steer clear of gossip. You will learn a lot from your neighbors, including details about recent break ins in the area and the shady individuals they noticed.

Place your valuables in cut-outs in your walls. You do not need to remove segments from your walls. Instead, you can use the small spaces that are already there. What about un-wiring an electrical socket which isn’t used to utilize as a cover to hide your jewelry?

You should mute your land line phone if you are going on a vacation. If the phone rings without you there, burglars will suspect that you’re not home, and that can make your home a target for an attack while you’re gone.

It is not a good idea to hide a spare key on your property. You may believe you are making life easier for yourself, but you may just be giving thieves simple access to your house. Thieves are aware of these hiding spots. Rather, give your key to a neighbor you find trustworthy.

Lock your home when you leave, even if you don’t think you will be away for long. It might shock you to learn that most break-ins occur due to unlocked doors. It does not take a long time for a robber to pilfer items worth thousands of dollars.

Make sure your attached garage is secure. You can prevent this from happening easily. If the garage door lifts via a track, you can use a C-clamp to stop your door from opening at the hands of intruders.

Don’t allow the wires of your home security system to be visible to others. Burglars can easily cut the wires if they are visible. This is why it is so important to make sure all your wires are well hidden. That will make you safer.

When moving into a house, ensure that each lock has been replaced. You have no way of knowing whether the previous homeowner is trustworthy. Remember that other families may have lived there before that person as well.

Eliminate dead vegetation and rotting wood from the yard each summer. Due to the heat, these items in your yard are more likely to catch on fire. As a result, your home could be caught on fire. Clear yard regularly to maintain your house safe.

Alter the locks and the keys when you change homes. Even if the tenants turned their keys in, they may have made copies. You can purchase the locks and install them yourself to ensure you’re the only person that has a key.

You can make your home safer by investing in some motion detectors and outside lights. This is a fairly inexpensive way to provide light and security to your property. If the lights are positioned correctly on your home, then it makes it much less likely for a burglar to enter.

Take advantage of any and all security resources your local police force makes available to homeowners. Many police departments offer programs that can include home inspections, home security training and more. Call the local police department and inquire as to what programs they offer.

When about to sign a contract with any home security firm, read all the small print. There could be hidden costs if you were to quit your service prior to the expiration date of the contract, or you decide to add additional equipment later. It’s best to know about these fees in advance so that you can avoid them when possible.

Prior to purchasing a security system, think about what you need it for. They aren’t the right fit for everyone. Some neighborhoods would feel be safe enough if you knew basic self defense or had a large dog. Before you sink a lot of money into your home’s security, make sure that you’re properly addressing your particular risks.

Walls are a good place to hide things. Hide valuables inside of your walls. All you need is a wall opening you’re not using (something like a phone jack, electrical box, or switch plate). You can also just put in a false plate to cover a hiding place.

If you are out of town for awhile, ask a friend to take a look at your door for any fliers. Canny burglars will often produce and distribute their own fliers so that they can see whether or not anyone takes them down. If the flier is not removed, they will know you are not home.

You don’t have to have a giant key ring full of keys just because you want your home to be secure. Use a code-access lock for any door you don’t want others opening. They are fairly simple to install, or if you don’t feel comfortable doing so yourself, you can ask your home security company about it.

It is not a good idea to hide a spare key on your property. 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. For obvious reasons, experienced burglars know every possible hiding spot. You should have a trusted neighbor keep a spare key.

Ask whether or not your home security company gives you the option to lease and/or buy your equipment. Buying it may cost more, but this means there are no monthly charges. The cost of leasing is lower at first but adds up over time. Explore both options to see which works best for you.

Keep your car registration papers on you at all times. This is not wise since anyone who has access to them will know where you live. Instead, carry them with you or find a more secure location in your car. You must have them on hand if the police stop you.

Always lock your home when you leave it, no matter how soon you plan to return. Break-ins are often the result of unlocked windows and doors. A thief can steal your most valuable possessions in a short amount of time.

Making your home a safe place to be does not necessarily require lots of money or inconvenience. There are more cost effective methods of deterring criminals. Keep these tips in mind to be secure in your home.