If your personal possessions include high-value items like jewelry, artwork or significant amounts of cash, you can’t assume that their existence is secret. You should protect your home and your family by investing in a quality home security system. Read on to find ideas about home security.

Home security plans have other features along with an alarm that goes off during a break-in. Most systems can be set to sound an alert when anyone enters the home. This is important to parents who have small children, because they will want to know if the children have opened a door.

When you buy a new house, change the locks. You simply do not know how many keys to the old locks are floating around. Speak with a locksmith to get a unique lock for your home. If you lose keys, make sure to do this, too.

Check around for prices, reputation, and reliability when choosing a home security provider. Prices vary greatly in regards to the same protection for each company. Make sure to obtain quotes from a minimum of three companies prior to deciding on a final one.

Buy fire resistant flooring, roofing and ceiling. This will give your home added security. Preventing a fire is important since it can cause a lot of damage.

Buy roofing, flooring and interior paneling that is flame resistant. Having your home built with fire resistant materials will help safeguard your home in case it catches fire. It’s best to prevent a fire before it starts.

Shut off phone ringers inside the home if you’re going to be gone for quite a while. When burglars hear phones ringing for an extended period of time in a home, they know that there is no one there to answer.

If you own a garage, be sure to use it to place your car, as opposed to using it as a storage. Keeping the car inside is a good way to keep criminals from stealing or harming it. Keeping your car out of sight is also a good way to prevent intruders from determining whether or not you are home.

Never place a spare key in a plant box or under your welcome mat. While you may feel that you are keeping yourself safe by allowing a way in for yourself, you are also allowing everyone else to visit whenever they want. For obvious reasons, experienced burglars know every possible hiding spot. If you have a neighbor you can trust, have them hold your extra key.

It is important that you check your home security system periodically, at least once a year. Ask a qualified worker who specializes in security systems to take a look. There are many things that can be problematic with regards to home security systems, like wayward wild animals and the environment. Sometimes it is very difficult to see the problem if you don’t know where it is.

Be sure your expensive belongings are not visible from the home’s exterior. Large front windows are great, but they also allow others to peer into your home. You always want to make sure you keep your valuables covered if they are by a window.

Install lights that use a motion-sensor. When a person approaches your home, the lights will blaze. This lets you know something is moving and also drives off criminals. Remember to keep working bulbs in them at all times.

If you are moving into a home that had a previous owner, then you should immediately change the locks. The previous tenants may have returned the keys, but they could have a copy. You can install locks yourself to make sure you’re the only one who has a key.

Don’t think you’re not at risk just because you don’t live in a big city. Some maintain that rural dwellers have greater risk since their neighbors live farther away. Still, there are those who are of the opinion that rural properties are less of a temptation to burglars.

Never assume that burglars won’t target your home. Be prepared. Take steps so that you won’t have to be afraid. Remember these tips so you can increase the security of your home to protect your family.

Don’t ever put your spare key under your doormat or in a planter. 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 the best hiding spots. Rather, give the key to a neighbor to hold.