You need to definitely be concerned about your home’s security! You can never tell if and when a burglar will attempt to put in an appearance. The tips in this article can help you fortify your home against invaders and threats.

Good home security systems sound a loud alarm when breached, and that’s not all. You can have your system alert you of any movement in certain areas of your home. This is great for parents that have small children so that they know when their kids open or close doors.

You should always change the locks after purchasing a home. There is no telling how many key copies were made and given out by a previous owner. To make sure you have the only access to the home, hire a locksmith. This is also a good idea in the event that you misplace your keys.

Carefully consider where you hide your outside spare key. Hiding it beneath the doormat is very common and most intruders will look there. Try to find somewhere less obvious.

Beware giving keys to your maid unless the service has your absolute trust. Before you give a cleaner full access to your home for extended periods of time, you have to be certain that they’re trustworthy and reliable. Be sure to make sure their references check out. If you are using a cleaning firm, make sure it has an excellent Better Business Bureau rating.

Don’t talk about your vacations on social media. It’s exciting going to new places and enjoying your time, but you could alert thieves to an empty home that they can easily break into.

Turn the ringers off on all your phones if you will be away for a prolonged period of time. If a burglar keeps hearing your phone ring, they’ll know the home is not occupied, making it more likely for a break-in to occur.

Ask friends for some advice before choosing home security companies and systems. You can benefit from the experience of others that have gone before you by paying attention to their recommendations and warnings. Do your research; it will help you make a good decision in the end.

Clear away all the dead and dried out vegetation around your home in the summer. As things heat up in the summer, items may catch on fire and threaten your home. Clearing your yard keeps your home, belongings and family much safer.

Shut off phone ringers inside the home if you’re going to be gone for quite a while. This is because a phone that is ringing and ringing can tip of a burglar that nobody is currently home.

Keep your car in the garage. A car kept locked in a garage is much less likely to be stolen or damaged. When it is in hiding, people won’t know if you’re home.

Do not allow anyone you do not know into your home. Even if the person has a compelling story, needs help or has something to sell, they should not be given access. Some people want to enter your home just to see if there is a security system in place. They may be scoping the place to come back when you’re gone.

You need to have your security system checked once a year. Ask someone who works at the security company to do a maintenance check. There are many things that can be problematic with regards to home security systems, like wayward wild animals and the environment. Sometimes, you may need a professional to locate the problem.

You need to secure your garage if it is attached to your home. A lot of garage owners fret over burglars entering this way, but there are answers. A C-clamp placed on the garage door track will stop it from opening when you don’t want it to.

Try not to have a shy attitude. Talk to the people who live in your neighborhood. You’ll find that friendly neighbors make for a powerful support network. Keep an eye on their properties and they’ll respond in kind. It does not necessarily pay to steer clear of gossip. You can learn of important security information, including if strangers have been lurking.

In summer, take care to trim back branches and plants near the house. This can be a fire hazard, especially if you live in an area with high heat. Keep your yard clear of debris to keep your house safe.

When dealing with a company installing your home security system, it is important that you trust your gut. If the installers give you the heebie-jeebies, it’s not a good sign. It’s your home, and you are free to hire any company you like. The system and the company should put your mind at ease.

Use motion sensors on exterior lighting. The motion sensors turn on the lights whenever anyone approaches your home. This will discourage would be thieves and alert you to any movement on your property. Just remember that you must change the bulbs often in order to keep the lights working in order.

You can hide things in your walls. You should think about hiding certain small valuables within your walls. You could utilize an electrical outlet, phone jack, or unused switch plate. You can also install a fake one.

Walls can serve as a handy hiding place. You should think about hiding certain small valuables within your walls. Just open up an electrical outlet or a phone jack that is not in use. You can also just put in a false plate to cover a hiding place.

Extra Key

Don’t ever place your spare key under your mat or next you a plant box. You might think this protects you against being locked out of your home, but it also gives intruders access to your home. Thieves know about all these hiding spots. Instead, trust a neighbor to hold your spare key.

Don’t hide an extra key under a rock or in a planter. A key that is easily found is a convenience for a burglar, not just for you. Thieves are familiar with these hiding spots. Instead, give your extra key to a neighbor whom you trust.

Always lock your house, no matter how briefly you expect to be gone. It might shock you to learn that most break-ins occur due to unlocked doors. It won’t take long for thieves to steal lots of expensive valuables.

If you are entering a house that has already been occupied, you should first change your locks. The previous tenant or owner may not have the keys, but you don’t know if they made copies for themselves or others. You can purchase locks and install them yourself to ascertain that only you have a key.

When you choose an alarm system, pick one that offers protection that goes beyond the doors. Your windows are easy entry points for crooks too. Each point of entry for your home should be monitored by the system. This is vital to keeping your family safe.

Always ask for references before letting a contractor or a maid in your home. A background check is also a good idea, so that you know what their criminal history looks like. You can’t always be sure that maids, service workers or contractors are honest, and therefore giving out keys can be a big error.

If you are moving in your new home, ensure all the old locks are replaced. You have no way of knowing whether the previous homeowner is trustworthy. Many other people could have keys to the property, and you probably don’t want them to all have access to your home.

Always go over the small print on contracts offered by your home security company. There are sometimes fees if you break a contract or need additional equipment. You want to try to avoid these fees whenever possible, so make sure you are aware of them.

Replace rotted wood around entryways. Rotted wood can be easily removed by thieves. Replace rotting wood with new wood to stay safe.

Be sure to get a home security service that will inspect your home and tailor a home security system just for you. Every family is different, and so your security needs will be unique. A custom set-up will make sure you’re as safe as can be.

A reputable security company will send a representative to your home to design a custom system. Each homeowner has different priorities in terms of home security. You will get the best home security system possible if you use a service willing to work with you to create a tailored system.

Shred any documents and junk mail that contains identifying information. Thieves are likely to steal documents that include your personal information if they can find them. Cutting the papers into small pieces with a pair of scissors is another option.

Keep your home’s exterior areas illuminated well. Burglars seek darkness so that they can stay hidden. Motion sensor lights can work great because they can also alert you when someone does come onto the property. Over doors, near windows and especially your back yard need to be lit.

Understand that break-ins happen all the time in this world. There really are people out there that do not have your best interests in mind. Keep these tips in mind so that you can properly create a safer environment for your family.

You don’t need to rely on keys to prevent entry to certain areas of your home. There are key-less locks that open with a push-button security code. You can even install it yourself.