It is the job of every homeowner to do everything possible to keep their home properly secured. If you think an alarm system is the only option for securing your home, you are wrong; there are many other choices. Keep reading this article in order to learn what you can to make your house secure.

When you buy a new house, change the locks. There is no way to ascertain how many keys the previous owner handed out. Contact a locksmith to make sure that only you have access to your home. Do the same thing if you happen to misplace a key.

If you need to leave a key for a maid service, make sure that that whoever cleans your house is professional and trustworthy. You need to ensure that they are honest and reputable according to references before you have handed over the key. Check the housekeeper’s references very carefully. If they work for a firm, call the local Better Business Bureau to find out that firm’s reputation.

If you retain a space key for when you get locked out, consider the place you hide it carefully. Hiding it beneath the doormat is very common and most intruders will look there. Try hiding your key on a lawn statue or in a potted plant.

Local Police

See if your area police department has any home security programs. There are lots of different programs, like home inspections, that will help you take the proper steps to make sure your home adequately protected. Contact your local police department to find out if they offer this type of program.

Take advantage of any and all security resources your local police force makes available to homeowners. Many police departments will offer expert advice, arrange inspections, sponsor neighborhood watches, and help you mark and register your valuables. Call the local police department and inquire as to what programs they offer.

Make your home safer by storing your car inside the garage. If your car is locked up inside, it cannot be stolen or vandalized. When it is in hiding, people won’t know if you’re home.

Put motion sensor lights around your house. These are lights that turn on whenever any living thing gets too close to your home. Not only will they notify you of movement, they will also deter potential burglars, as thieves want to remain as inconspicuous as possible. Just remember that you must change the bulbs often in order to keep the lights working in order.

Motion sensor lights are a great investment. These kinds of lights will pop right on when they detect motion near your home. This is a good way of knowing who comes near your home and keeps you safe if you ever come home late. Don’t forget to replace the bulbs when they burn out.

Don’t think you’re not at risk just because you don’t live in a big city. Due to the distance between neighbors, some think rural areas are more likely to have intruders. That said, stranger things have happened.

When dealing with companies that install home security systems, it’s important to trust your gut. This goes for the installer, too. If you are unsure, contact the security company to make sure that the installer was actually sent by them. After all, the point of the system itself is to help you feel more at ease.

The walls of your home make for great hiding spots. If you own smaller things that need protection, think about keeping them hidden in the walls. Use an old switch plate, outlet or phone jack. You can also just put in a false plate to cover a hiding place.

Don’t put extra keys under doormats or in planters. While it may seem like a convenient way to give you access to your home, intruders are aware of this practice. Burglars are familiar with these hiding spots. A better solution is to give your key to a neighbor you trust.

If you have a home security system installed, make sure the wires are hidden. An intruder can easily disable your security system by cutting the wires. Make sure the wires are installed inside the walls of your home. Keep yourself safe.

When moving into your new house, change every lock. Although you may trust the previous homeowner, you cannot be 100% sure of their character. And, other people could have lived in the home previously to them as well.

Are you aware of the value present in the wiring in your home? People don’t realize this until it is stolen. Copper wiring is very valuable and susceptible to being stripped from the outside of your home. Keep your wiring hidden or inaccessible to potential burglars.

If you buy expensive electronics or appliances, throw the packages away the day that your trash pickup occurs. Having these type of boxes hanging around will give robbers a good idea of what type of merchandise you have inside of your home.

Your flashlights should always be equipped with good, working batteries. Flashlights are essential since they let you move around in an emergency. Train kids how to use the flashlights so that everyone may contribute.

Whenever you sign with a home-security company, it is important that you thoroughly read the contract. There are early termination fees, and there may be fees for extra equipment procured in the future. It is best to know all you can about a service you sign up for.

There is a lot of value in copper wiring. Many people do not realize this until a crook steals it off of their home. The wiring contains valuable copper than can be quickly stripped from a home. Be sure that you keep all your wiring hidden and make it hard to access.

Don’t allow your landscaping make it easier for burglars to break into your home. All doors and windows must be unobstructed by shrubs, trees, fences, or plants. If windows and doors can be easily seen from all areas, then burglars cannot hide as well, which will hinder their plans. Utilize shrubs and trees farther away in order to add beauty to your home while keeping it safe.

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 don’t need your home’s power in order to properly work. In addition, they can be usually be installed and maintained easier.

Having your home lit up and bright at night is a great deterrent to crooks. Intruders will avoid being noticed. When your home is lit well, the crooks have nowhere to hide, making it difficult for them to steal from you undetected. Keep the lights on if you want your home to be secure.

If you haven’t gotten a paper shredder, it may be time to purchase 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 could also simply take care to tear up your discarded papers.

Put a surveillance system in your home. Installing hidden and visible video cameras are great for securing your house. Visible cameras can scare intruders, and hidden ones can catch them in the act. A lot of surveillance systems are accessible using your cell phone, so you can monitor your home while you are out of town.

Do your landscaping keeping safety in mind. You should not let plants and shrub block your doors and windows. If these things can be seen by the naked eye, they won’t offer hiding places to potential criminals. This will give your home additional safety.

Discourage burglars by making your garage windows opaque. Add some frosted glass panes to your windows to keep strangers from looking inside. Also keep your garage door closed whenever possible, especially if you will be stepping away from it for an extended period of time.

Now that you’ve finished reading this article, you know what you need to do to keep your home safe. While it can seem like a complicated hassle, it’s crucial to keep everyone in your family safe. You can do this by applying what you’ve learned here.

Ask a home security company to come to your house and design a security system that is perfect for your needs. Each homeowner has different priorities in terms of home security. By locating the company that will create the best plan for you, you will be assured you are receiving the best possible home security.