Home security is a topic that you, hopefully, take extremely seriously. If it is not, it should be. Unfortunately, it can often be tough to know where to begin. The article that follows should prove extremely helpful as you proceed.

Compare various home security systems when shopping. You would be surprised to see that the prices are much different for each company, even though it’s for the same type of protection. Before choosing which company to go with, ask for quotes from a minimum of three companies.

Make your house look like it’s always occupied. Have electronics and lights with timers and set them to go off at various times. This way, your house will always look occupied. This is an excellent technique that helps avoid robberies while keeping the property safe.

Be sure your roof, floors, and ceiling are fire resistant. Having your home built with fire resistant materials will help safeguard your home in case it catches fire. Fire prevention is paramount.

A spare key must be carefully hidden and not in the obvious spots that a person might think. Too many people put their extra key under the mat in front of their door; burglars know to check there. Try hiding the key in your outside dog’s collar.

Put up motion activated lighting. These lights turn on if someone walks closely to your house. This lets you know something is moving and also drives off criminals. Just do not forget to replace the bulbs periodically to keep them functioning at all times.

Annual check-ups are important for alarm systems. Get someone from the security firm to inspect it. There are quite a few things that can negatively impact the effectiveness of home security equipment. For example, adverse weather conditions or pests such as raccoons can cause problems. Sometimes, you may need a professional to locate the problem.

Do that put spare keys above door frames or under door mats. A key that is easily found is a convenience for a burglar, not just for you. Thieves are aware of these hiding spots. The wisest course of action is to leave a spare key with a trusted friend or a reliable neighbor.

Get to know your neighbors. Talk to your neighbors and those on your block. Keep an eye on their houses and yards and request that they return the favor. It does not necessarily pay to steer clear of gossip. This might provide you with some valuable information, at times related to security, including information about potential strangers who you might not want near your home.

Be sure your valuables are not visible from the outside of your house. Though it is nice to have big windows to get a great view of the outdoors, it is also easier for burglars to look into your home. Be sure to put curtains on your front-facing windows so people can’t see your valuable belongings.

If you’ve just gotten a home, replace every lock. 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.

Always lock your house, no matter how briefly you expect to be gone. Most real-world burglars aren’t master lock-breakers; they simply stroll in through a door left carelessly unlocked. A thief can take plenty of valuables in minutes.

Plug a rechargeable flashlight into an outlet in each room of your house in the event of power outage. Power outages are common to all sorts of emergency situations, so having flashlights handy will enable you to maneuver in the dark. Teach everyone in your home to use the flashlights so all family members can see and help each other.

While choosing your alarm system, ask about protection for windows and motion detection as well as doors. It should protect the windows too. The alarm and monitoring system should be set for all windows and doors. You want the best security possible for your family.

To stay sane, you must maintain good home security. There is no question that this is true. Effective methods of home security are not always obvious, but hopefully this article has opened your eyes to some possibilities.

If you’ve bought large or pricy items, avoid throwing out boxes until the day the trash is scheduled for pick-up. These boxes sitting outside your home serve as a flag for thieves to target your home.