If you are a homeowner, you realize the necessity of security. To have the sanctity of your home violated is a terrible feeling, one that should be avoided at all costs. Your house is your biggest investment, but it also represents your sense of security. Read on to learn how you can secure your precious home.

Your home should looked occupied all the time. Invest in timers to automatically turn on and off any electronics at various times. This will make it look like someone is home. This is an excellent technique that helps avoid robberies while keeping the property safe.

Is your ceiling resistant to fire? What about your flooring or roofing? This can help your home be safer. Preventing a fire is important since it can cause a lot of damage.

Don’t give the keys to your home to a professional cleaner unless you trust them completely. Make sure they are honest, reputable and hardworking. Do a background check on them. If you hire a cleaner who works for a company, speak with your local BBB about the company’s reliability.

You should not let anyone inside your home. Do not give in, even if a person uses a convincing story, asks for help or says they are selling something. Some people will simply knock on your door to see whether or not there is a security system installed, and if there isn’t, they may target you later when you’re away.

When you set out to purchase home security equipment, remember to comparison shop. Some companies offer comparable levels of protection that can be priced very differently. Get a quote from several companies before making a final decision.

Don’t allow a complete stranger to come in your home. Nowadays, thieves are creative when thinking of ways to get homeowners to open a door and let them in. Make it mandatory that doors in your home are only opened for expected visitors.

Don’t just hide your spare key anywhere. You don’t want to put them in common spots, such as above the frame of the door or under the doormat. Instead, try hiding a key on the collar of an outside dog.

Local Police Department

Fire-resistant building materials are the way to go, both inside and outside the home. This will add an extra protection layer for your house, particularly if you live near power lines or in a dry location. Fire is such a destructive force that it makes excellent sense to reduce fire hazards in your home whenever possible.

Contact the local police department to find out more about the protection programs they offer. There are plenty of things that can be done, from a safety walk to cataloging expensive items to help protect your investment and your family. Call the local police department and inquire as to what programs they offer.

Keep your most valuable possessions inside your walls. This doesn’t require tearing into your walls, of course. Many spots are already cut that can be used for this purpose. What about un-wiring an electrical socket which isn’t used to utilize as a cover to hide your jewelry?

It is important that you check your home security system periodically, at least once a year. Your security company should send a representative to check your system. There are many things that can reduce the quality of your system. If you don’t see the problem, you may remain unaware of it.

Never place a spare key in a plant box or under your welcome mat. Remember that you are not the only one who is aware of these sorts of hiding places. Thieves are aware of all these spots. Rather, give your key to a neighbor you find trustworthy.

Be outgoing. Speak with your neighbors. Keep your eye on their houses, and ask for help to keep yours safe too. Pay attention to gossip. You may hear valuable information regarding security, such as if any strangers have been hanging around.

Don’t allow the wires of your home security system to be visible to others. A burglar will simply cut the wires if he can see them. You don’t want to help them by doing this, so make sure you have the wires within the walls. This will add security.

Even if you only plan to be gone for a very short time, lock your house. It may shock you to know this, but a lot of intruders get inside homes through open doors. A thief could steal all your valuables in only a few minutes.

Replace all the locks in your newly purchased home. You have no way of knowing whether the previous homeowner is trustworthy. Remember that different families might have dwelt there before this person.

Choose an alarm which monitors other areas outside your doors. Windows are a way for thieves to enter your home as well. Be sure your home alarm covers all entry points into your home. This is the pinnacle of safety.

If you are moving into a home that had a previous owner, then you should immediately change the locks. Although it’s normal for owners / tenants to surrender their keys when they leave, there’s no way of knowing who else might have copies. This will help safeguard that there is no one else with your key.

While an alarm system or other security measures can make your home much safer, you must be sure that your security wiring isn’t exposed. You do not want the wires exposed for easy manipulation. Make it hard for a burglar to avoid your detection. You will be much safer.

Be sure to make good use of the Internet when you’re trying to select your home security company. Review different websites and review comments from previous customers. Also find other companies to get quotes from as well.

If you make a large purchase, like a big screen television, don’t simply set the box out in front of your home. If you set these boxes out with the trash, thieves will know you have expensive items in your house.

Get a custom-designed plan that fits your needs by having the security company do a site visit in your home. Each situation is different. If there is a company that can come up with a customized plan, you will get what you really need.

Are you aware that your home’s wires are worth something? The majority of people aren’t aware of this fact until a burglar steals these wires. Wiring can be removed from the outside of a home in a heartbeat. Keep your wiring hidden or inaccessible to potential burglars.

If you do not already have a paper shredder, you may want to think about investing in one. You’d be shocked at how many times thieves search trash looking for personal documents to see when you’re not home so that they can get into your home. You can also simply tear papers with personal information into small bits before you discard them.

Before you give a security company employee access to your home, make sure they’re in uniform and that they present acceptable identification. Posing as a security professional is an excellent way for an experienced thief to get inside your house and plan a less-friendly return visit. This puts your household and valuables at considerable risk. Be careful to avoid this sort of danger.

If you are planning to be away, and you have someone picking up your mail, ask them to also double-check your door for fliers. Some burglars place fliers to see if they’ll be quickly removed. If it stays where they put it, they will know you are on vacation.

Be sure to make good use of the Internet when you’re trying to select your home security company. Take a look at various websites and read over customer testimonials and details about various packages. With this information, you can contact the companies you feel comfortable with and compare the rates to each other.

A smart way to prevent burglars from entering the garage is to keep them from seeing what is inside. Frosted windows will keep a burglar from being able to see inside. The material needed to do this can be found at home improvement stores. Also, do not leave doors open.

As you’ve read, keeping your house safe doesn’t need to be hard. You must know certain things. Use what you’ve just learned to secure your home. Don’t neglect anything you read here. Make your home as safe as possible.

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. A burglar may see the box and decide to target you as a result. Cut the boxes up when they are empty.