As a homeowner, you really should know about security procedures for your home. It can be overwhelming, however, to wade through reams of information on the topic. This article will alert you to the top things to keep in mind when it comes to home safety.

When you buy a new house, be sure the locks are changed. It’s important to know everyone who has a key to your home. To make sure your home can only be accessed by you, enlist the help of a locksmith. Also, if you lose your keys, change the locks.

Be sure your home appears to always be occupied. Have electronics and lights with timers and set them to go off at various times. It’ll make it seem like someone is home. This is great for keeping a home safer from burglaries.

Only allow maids and cleaning services to have a key to the house if they are known to be trustworthy. If they will be there over an hour and you are thinking of giving them your home key, be certain they are honest, reputable and hard-working. Ask for references and check them thoroughly. If the person is an employee of a firm, call your local BBB to check their reputation.

Spare Key

You want all wires of an installed security system to be hidden. You do not want the wires exposed for easy manipulation. Make it hard for a burglar to avoid your detection. Your safety will increase.

Your dog could carry a spare key for you. Outdoor dogs or pet doors make this possible. Store a spare key within your dogs collar so you always have access to your home.

If you’ve bought large or pricy items, avoid throwing out boxes until the day the trash is scheduled for pick-up. Having these boxes nearby can tell robbers what kind of merchandise you’ve got in your house.

Be very cautious about entrusting a maid service with a key to your home. Only select service people who are totally trustworthy. Check references thoroughly. If you are using a cleaning firm, make sure it has an excellent Better Business Bureau rating.

Even the wires inside your home are worth something. Many people are not aware of this until they are stolen from their home. It does not take much time to strip off the expensive copper wires from the exterior of your house. Make sure your wiring is hidden or hard to access to keep this valuable property safe.

Get roofing, flooring and ceilings that are fire resistant. This adds an extra layer of protection to your home, especially if you live in a very dry area with power lines. Preventing fires is the best way to deal with them.

Before you let security company representatives into your home, check their ID. It is easy for potential thieves to present themselves as representatives of a company in order to gain access to your home. This is a danger to your belongings and your family. Trust your gut and if something does not feel right, it is okay to go with your feelings.

Make sure the ringer on any phones in your home is turned off when you leave for 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.

Before allowing anyone into your home, check their references carefully. A background check which includes any criminal history is warranted. Avoid giving keys out to contractors, maids and repairmen.

Never allow str4angers to enter your house. There are some people who are very convincing and good at getting you to let them into your house. This is the first rule of keeping your home secure.

Always use online resources to identify the very best home security firm. You can check out their packages and rates and also read some customer reviews. From there, you can make appointments with your top three selections to compare final package pricing and specific details about plans and monitoring.

Be outgoing. Talk to your neighbors. Watch their homes and ask them if they’ll watch yours as well. Don’t disregard gossip either. Important security details (like the presence of strangers in your neighborhood) can come out of the most innocent conversations.

If you come home and see your door ajar, never investigate it alone. A thief might still be in there, which could put you in danger. Your best bet is to contact the authorities and wait outside for them to get there.

Walls are a good place to hide things. If you own smaller things that need protection, think about keeping them hidden in the walls. All you need is a wall opening you’re not using (something like a phone jack, electrical box, or switch plate). If you’re using all your outlets, you can install phony ones.

Consider purchasing a wireless security system for your home. While the wired systems are less expensive, they usually mean rather intrusive wiring for your house, which can also go out during power outages. Wireless systems tend to be easier for installation and maintenance, and they will not go out if your power does.

Purchase flashlights that have good batteries, and keep them in every room in your home in case the power goes out. This is important for you to be able to see should your power go out or you suffer an emergency. Teach everyone in your home to use the flashlights so all family members can see and help each other.

If you are out of town for awhile, ask a friend to take a look at your door for any fliers. Some intruders will place a flyer at your home to see if the flyer is removed immediately or not. Fliers that are not removed let the burglar know that the home is vacant.

Change the locks on any new place you move into. They previous occupants may have made copies of the keys. You can install locks yourself to make sure you’re the only one who has a key.

Keep your garage shut and locked so burglars can’t peek inside. Go to a hardware store and buy some frosting so you can cover your windows. Make a habit of keep your door closed and locked.

Be certain to read the entire contract when you hire a home security firm. There might be hidden costs or other things you should know about. If you can’t avoid these types of fees, you should at least be aware of them.

Whenever you purchase some expensive item, don’t place the empty boxes right outside your home. A burglar sees this as an invitation to procure the item themselves. After removing the contents from these boxes, tear or cut them up.

Before looking at home security systems, consider your personal security risks and safety needs. Generic systems aren’t for everyone. In some areas, a class on self defense or a guard dog might be more suitable, yet in others, an advanced home security system will fit the bill. Think about your risk factor when making a decision.

Inquire as to the different lengths of contracts offered by your security company. Each has its advantages and disadvantages. Long contracts are cheaper every month, but can outlast your stay in the home. With a shorter contract, you will have a greater level of flexibility. The downside is you will also have larger monthly bills.

All homeowners ought to spend substantial effort learning all they can about home security. It will take good sense to sift out the helpful information from that not useful to you. So, you will find it to be worth your while to keep looking back at these tips if that is what it takes to secure your home.

You should not keep your auto registration papers in the glove compartment. The reason is that anyone who sees them will immediately have your home address. Instead, keep them with you at all times, or hide them somewhere else inside your vehicle. They have to be accessible in the event you are in an accident or receive a speeding ticket.