You may know someone personally that has had their home broken into. There has been an increase in home invasions, and folks need to take extra caution when it comes to securing their homes. All neighborhoods are targets for break-ins. This article discusses what you are able to do to enhance your home’s security.

When you buy a new home, be sure to have the locks changed. 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. You should also have your locks changed if you lose your keys.

You should always change the locks after purchasing a home. You don’t know how many keys have been handed out previously. Speak with a locksmith to get a unique lock for your home. This is also a good idea in the event that you misplace your keys.

Consider the advice of your friends when selecting your home security company. Others have likely had both good and bad experiences that they can share with you that can then save you a lot of stress and time. Keep asking to get the advice that will help you make the right choice.

Ask friends for some advice before choosing home security companies and systems. It is probable that you will hear some great stories about some companies as well as some not so great stories about others. This can save you the hassle of having to research everything on your own. Make sure to ask neighbors for advice too.

Do not allow anyone you do not know into your home. Even if this stranger has a believable story or is trying to sell you something, do not let them in. These people might want to actually do you harm or could be casing out your house for a future break-in.

Turn off your phone’s ringer when you go on vacation. A constantly ringing phone can signal to a burglar that the house is vacant, making it an easy target for their criminal activities.

In summer, take care to trim back branches and plants near the house. When summer heats up, such debris can catch fire. Therefore, you need to regularly clean your yard so that your home is protected.

Get rid of all of the dead wood and vegetation in your yard during the summer months. You risk a house fire if that sits there during the heat of the summer and catches fire. You can prevent disasters by keeping your yard clean.

See if your local police department offers any home inspection or other 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. Your police department will be able to help you find out what is available in your town.

An extremely important tactic for keeping your home safe is changing out the locks. Maybe you’ve had a roommate leave or a bitter ex-lover, so changing the locks can keep you safer. It is usually inexpensive and can be done in less than 24 hours.

Store your car in the garage if you have it. Protect your car from vandals by keeping it in the garage. If you keep your car in the garage instead of in the driveway, it is harder for thieves to know whether you are at home or not.

Walls are a great hiding spot for your valuables. Keep small, valuable items inside the walls of your home. You can use phone jacks or electric outlets as hiding spots. Even if every single plate in your home is being used, you can purchase a fake one purpose-built for concealing valuables.

Keep your most valuable possessions inside your walls. It is unnecessary cut space into your wall. Your home should have a few pre-cut areas that can be used. What about un-wiring an electrical socket which isn’t used to utilize as a cover to hide your jewelry?

Make sure that the person analyzing your home for a home security system is who he says. Criminals can easily pretend to be from a security firm as a means to gain entry to the house. This is dangerous to your valuables and your family. Trust your gut and if something does not feel right, it is okay to go with your feelings.

If your home security system is installed, be sure its wires are well-hidden. An intruder can cut the wires if he can find them. Don’t make it easy for an intruder, have the wires buried or hidden within the home’s walls. That will make you safer.

If you are searching for ways to make your home more secure, one inexpensive way to accomplish this is to purchase exterior lights that have motion detectors. In the evening, lights will help keep your home safe, and will add little in the way of extra expense. Intruders will not be able to sneak into your home if you place your motion detector in the right spot.

Before allowing any security company reps to come into your home, make sure they have on a uniform and they have valid ID. Intruders can easy pass themselves off as an employee of a security company just to get inside your house. This can be extremely dangerous to your home and loved ones. Act cautiously to avoid potential dangers.

Criminals are much less likely to target your home if it’s well lit. They don’t want visibility. Making your home’s exterior nice and bright will make it impossible for crooks to go undetected. So keep those lights on at night for a secure home.

When choosing between security companies, read everything on the contract. Look out for hidden charges and surprises, especially if you need to cancel the contract early. It is best to know all you can about a service you sign up for.

You can find an excellent home security company with a simple Internet search. Check out reviews you find on the web. After that, choose your top three for consultations.

If you do not already have a paper shredder, you may want to think about investing in one. Thieves can use this information to figure out your schedule and determine the best time to break in. Rip important documents in small pieces before throwing them away if you do not have a paper shredder.

Keep your home’s exterior well lit. Darkness allows for all sorts of nefarious activities. Install lights in areas that possible criminals can use to enter your home. This extends to doorways, porches, garages and lower windows.

If you will be away from your home, arrange to have whoever is collecting your mail to also pick up fliers placed inside your door. It isn’t uncommon for burglars to put up fliers to see whether or not they’re removed. If the flier stays in place, the burglar knows that the homeowner is out on vacation.

If you arrive home and you see that your door is ajar, never enter to investigate on your own. A thief might still be in there, which could put you in danger. Instead, you should call 911 and wait in a safe location for the police to arrive.

When you purchase an expensive item such as a computer or TV, be sure to take the cardboard box to the recycling center rather than leaving it on your curb for all the world to see. Burglars pay attention to this, and it will make them want to break in and get the items. Remember to cut up or break down those boxes and take them to the recycling center.

Put up video surveillance. Both hidden and visible video cameras can help keep your home safe. While a visible camera is a deterrent, a burglar might try to disable the camera, but a separate hidden camera can solve this problem. Many surveillance systems may be easily accessed through a cell phone so that you can check on your house while you’re away.

If you have kids or roommates that you don’t want in certain household areas, it’s not necessary to lock multiple doors and tote around tons of keys. Code or fingerprint enabled keyless entry locks are a great solution. You can even install it yourself.

Whenever you purchase some expensive item, don’t place the empty boxes right outside your home. These boxes are a signal to burglars that you have something worth stealing. You should cut up the boxes once you empty them.

Ask about different contract lengths that your home security company may offer. Each will have its own pros and some cons, too. Your bill may be lower with a long-term contract, but you could wind up paying for a service you’re not using if you decide to move. Shorter contracts allow your greater freedom, however they usually cost more each month.

It is a mistake to assume that break-ins only happen in upscale neighborhoods. Thieves can target homes that look easy to enter. You can take the proper steps now to make sure you and your family feel safe and protected within your home.

Don’t use locks of the spring latch variety. These locks are easy to pick, and it can be done with an ordinary credit card. A card can be placed between the latch and the door, and this will open it. A deadbolt should be added for security purposes if you have locks that are spring latch.