Something bad or tragic can and will happen when you least expect it. Don’t neglect to prepare for unfortunate events. Continue reading this article to help you keep your home safe from those criminals.

Don’t ever let it be apparent that there is no one at home. You can buy timers to have radios, TVs, lights and other electronics go off and on at different times. This will make your home appear as if someone is there. That means burglars will pass right by.

Talk to people you know for referrals when choosing home security systems. They have likely had interactions with home security providers that they can tell you about, saving you time and stress. Do your research; it will help you make a good decision in the end.

Buy a safe. This is vital if you don’t want diamonds, gold or other personal items exposed to a home intruder. Conceal the safe in an out-of-the-way and not easily accessible spot, such as an attic or a basement area.

Use your garage for your car, not just storage. This will help to keep your vehicle safe. Hiding your car from plain view will also keep potential intruders from tracking when you are home and when you aren’t.

Turn off your phone’s ringer when you go on vacation. A loud ring that goes unanswered can alert people to the fact that you aren’t home. This makes you more likely to be the victim of a burglary.

Don’t be afraid to know the people who live near you. Converse with those living in your area. Keep your eye on their houses, and ask for help to keep yours safe too. Don’t ignore the gossip. You may learn some great information about security, such as if any strangers have been hanging around.

Avoid being shy. Engage your neighbors in conversation. You’ll find that friendly neighbors make for a powerful support network. Keep an eye on their properties and they’ll respond in kind. Never neglect gossip. You may end up hearing about things such as odd folks roaming about the neighborhood.

Have lights that are motion-sensor installed. When a person approaches your home, the lights will blaze. You will be alerted to movement, but most importantly, it will deter burglars or at least make you aware of their presence. Just remember and change out the light bulbs whenever necessary.

Make certain no one can see your valuable belongings through windows and doors. Having large windows in front of your home may be a great way to see what is happening outside, but it can also give crooks a view inside your home. If your windows are facing the street, make sure you cover them and protect your valuables.

The first step in making your home more secure is to change out your locks. It might be that you have an angry ex-roommate or a bitter ex-partner, so changed locks will boost your security. It is generally cheap and may be done in a little under a day.

Don’t allow the wires of your home security system to be visible to others. Intruders can easily disable your home security system by cutting or unplugging the wires. You don’t want to help them by doing this, so make sure you have the wires within the walls. Keep yourself safe.

Walls are a great hiding spot for your valuables. If you own small valuables that require protection, try hiding them in the walls. You could use a phone jack, electrical outlet or a switch plate. Anything not used currently makes a good spot for hiding.

Be sure to replace all of the old locks as soon as you move into a new domicile. Even if the previous owner or tenant seems trustworthy, you have no way of knowing how many copies of the key they made and distributed. Keep in mind that there may have been residents prior to that person too.

Keep your most valuable possessions inside your walls. It is not necessary to cut out pieces from your wall. There are many locales that are already around your home. For instance, consider using an electricity socket that is unused, and stash your precious jewelry in there.

Replace any wood surrounding your door frame that is rotting. It is simple for a robber to pry away rotting wood and enter your home. Replace it as soon as possible.

Make certain no one can see your valuable belongings through windows and doors. If you have big windows near your big entertainment system, it can seem like an invitation to thieves. You should cover any windows that are facing the street so your valuables will be safe.

When allowing a representative from any security company to enter your home, look for someone in uniform and ask to see an identification. They might not be who you think they are. This is dangerous to your valuables and your family. Be cautious to stay safe.

Even if you’re not going to be gone long, keep your home locked. It is more common than you would believe for a thief to find a home, try the door and walk right in when it’s unlocked. It doesn’t take long for a thief to steal thousands of dollars worth of stuff.

Safety should be kept in mind when you are planning your landscape. Windows should be free from obstructions like trees, shrubs and fencing. If windows and doors can be easily seen from all areas, then burglars cannot hide as well, which will hinder their plans. Have your landscape several feet away from your house for better safety.

When selecting an alarm set-up, think about getting one that protects not just the doors in your home. Burglars often enter through windows as well. Therefore, ensure the windows have an attached alarm. All potential entry points should have an alarm. This will make your family safer.

In the event you find your door open upon arriving home, you should never enter and investigate yourself. This can be very dangerous because the thief could still be inside. Your best bet is to contact the authorities and wait outside for them to get there.

Replace all locks in a new house. Even though the person who sold your home to you may seem honest, you simply can’t know for certain. If the previous owners have never changed the locks, there could be people out there who owned the house before them and still have keys to your house.

Consider a surveillance system for your home and property. Setting up hidden and visible video cameras is a good way to keep your home secure. Cameras that can be seen are an excellent tool for preventing most burglars from breaking into your home. However, if they are brave enough to try to disable your cameras, hidden cameras will capture them. Many surveillance systems will allow you to access them through your cell phone; therefore, you can ensure your home is safe even when you’re gone.

Make sure your flashlights have charged batteries and are found throughout your home. Flashlights are key because they allow you to move around if an emergency should arise. Your whole family should be trained on the proper use and maintenance of flashlights.

If you just purchased electronics, do not leave empty boxes outside. If a burglar sees your empty box, he or she will know that valuable item is inside your house. That’s good motivation for a break-in. Break down the box, and take it to the local recycling center.

Unless you’re moving into a brand-new apartment or home, changing the locks should be one of your top priorities. They previous occupants may have made copies of the keys. You can purchase locks and install them yourself to ascertain that only you have a key.

Can you read your house numbers while in the street? If you need assistance, emergency vehicles may not locate your home in a timely manner if the numbers don’t stand out. Luckily, you can fix this quickly and cheaply if you see there’s a problem.

When allowing a representative from any security company to enter your home, look for someone in uniform and ask to see an identification. Burglars are creative, and they often pose as a member of the security team to get inside. This means peril for what you own as well as your loved ones. Caution is always advisable if dangers like this are to be avoided.

Dogs are an excellent way to protect your home. Dogs naturally protect their homes and they make lots of noise when things go wrong. You don’t even need a huge, vicious dog. Even a small dog will deter intruders, who do not want a lot of noise when they commit their crimes.

Always go over the small print on contracts offered by your home security company. You need to find out about hidden costs, such as cancellation fees in case you want to cancel your contract before it expires. Avoid nasty charges or fees regarding early termination, contract expiration and additional features or equipment.

When you aren’t home, be sure to close your blinds, curtains or shades. Intruders can see into your home if they are left up. If they see something they like, they will then break in. You should have the windows covered when you’re asleep.

It’s hard to know what might make your home attractive to burglars since criminals are often quite haphazard. Rather than assuming you won’t be this unlucky, be prepared and utilize strategies to ensure your home’s safety. Start with these tips, and grow from there.

Avoid keeping auto registration in your glove compartment. This isn’t smart since anybody who gets them is going to know your address. Ideally, you should carry your registration in your wallet or bag. If you must leave them in the car, pick a less obvious hiding place. Make sure you can easily and quickly access them in the event that a police officer pulls you over.