Something tragic or bad can and will occur when you’re not expecting it. Do not endanger your family by falling short on safety. Read this article to learn more about home security and find out how you can make your home safer.

Make sure your home appears occupied. Buy timers so things will go on and off at different times. This will make it look like someone is home. This is a simple way to improve your home’s safety and make it less attractive to criminals.

Your home should always look like it is occupied. Keep your radio, TV and lights on timers. This makes it appear that someone is home. That means burglars will pass right by.

Compare various home security systems when shopping. Prices can differ a lot among companies for the same type of protection. Obtain quotes from a minimum of three home security companies before making a final decision.

Do not post on your social media accounts regarding when you will be away on vacation. Although it’s fun to talk about, posting it online makes it more possible for criminals to find out when you’re gone.

Be smart about where you decide to hide spare keys. The doormat is too obvious of a place to hide it, as robbers will look there first. Instead, try hiding a key on the collar of an outside dog.

Remove old plants and debris from your yard. They are a potential fire hazard during warmer months. Keep your yard clear so it is a safe area.

Use your garage for what it was intended: your car. This will help to keep your vehicle safe. When your car is hidden, it will be hard for intruders to tell if you are home or not.

If you’re going on a trip for an extended period of time, switch the ringer off on all home phones. 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.

There’s no security system so durable that it can go without regular maintenance and inspections. Have yours checked out once a year. The security company should have a specialist come to look at it. Mother nature can sneak in and cause many problems. If the problem isn’t visible, you may be unaware of it.

Install motion-sensor lights. The lights will be triggered when someone gets too close to the house. This is a good way of knowing who comes near your home and keeps you safe if you ever come home late. But keep in mind that the bulbs to the security light should be routinely changed to ensure that the deterrent system functions properly.

Don’t open your door if a stranger is on the other side. You never know who they might be, despite their story. Never open the door to anyone you do not know.

If you have a home security system installed, make sure the wires are hidden. Intruders can get around security systems and into a home by cutting the wires. Instead, make sure the wires are hidden. This way, you will be safer.

Never throw out boxes for expensive items until the day your trash is picked up. Having these boxes nearby can tell robbers what kind of merchandise you’ve got in your house.

Always have your security system checked each year. A security professional should visit to help with the testing process. Many factors cause issues with security systems like nature and wild animals. You may not know there’s an issue if you can’t see it.

Check references before giving anyone access to your home. A background check is also recommended so you know if they have a criminal history. Someone can seem nice and professional on the outside, but they may not be so nice on the inside.

Keep your outdoor areas well lit. Darkness allows for all sorts of nefarious activities. Install a light in any area a potential intruder can get into your home. This includes doorways and porches, the garage, and windows on ground floors which may invite intruders.

Security starts with new locks. Anyone from an old roommate to a former tenant could have access to your home if you leave the old locks in place. It is pretty cheap and the job won’t take more than a few hours.

Buy a paper shredder. Unshredded documents can offer up a wealth of valuable personal information to thieves, including enough of your schedule to allow them to pinpoint the best time for a burglary. If you can not afford to purchase a paper shredder, just rip the paper into smaller pieces.

It’s a good idea to install a surveillance system in your home. Setting up hidden and visible video cameras is a good way to keep your home secure. Visible cameras deter the majority of intruders, and if they try to disarm them, a camera that is hidden will keep capturing footage. Some security systems can be accessed with cell phones, so you can check on your house while you are away.

Go with your instincts when choosing a security system company. You should be very picky when it comes to letting people inspect your home. Ask for someone else to come out or switch companies. The point of that system is to feel safer after all.

Break down the boxes from your new TV or computer rather than leaving them on the side of the road. If the burglars see the empty boxes, then they will realize you have the items in your home. As a result, they’ll be more likely to break in so they can steal it. Cut the boxes up when they are empty.

Can you read your house numbers clearly from the street? Make sure they are large in case emergency personnel need to find your house. Fortunately, it doesn’t require much to fix this problem.

Choose an alarm which monitors other areas outside your doors. Windows are a way for thieves to enter your home as well. Be certain they are also alarmed and monitored. This can keep your family much safer.

It’s hard to know what might make your home attractive to burglars since criminals are often quite haphazard. Rather than hoping this will not be a problem for you, make your home safer. Use what you’ve just read to secure your home.