Knowledge is the basis on which the best home security decisions are made. This isn’t something you want to take lightly. Figure out what will make your family feel secure in your home.

Make your home look occupied at all times. There are timers you can use to make electronics turn on and off at random times. This will make it look like someone is home. This can be a terrific method of securing your home and keeping burglars at bay.

Buy a safe and use it to hold all of the valuables in your home. This is vital, as you want to safeguard your valuable items in case of home burglary. Hide your safe in a place that is hard to get to, like a basement closet or an attic.

Good home security systems sound a loud alarm when breached, and that’s not all. Most systems could sound an alarm when someone enters the home. This is a good way to keep track of where your young children are.

If you have an extensive online presence that includes a lot of people you don’t know too well, avoid announcing upcoming vacations. It’s natural to be excited about your trip, but this is as good as throwing out the welcome mat for people who know your home is unoccupied.

People who live rurally often don’t think about home security. Interestingly, many think those living in rural areas are actually more susceptible to break-ins since neighbors may not live close by. Then again, others think rural areas are not as much of a target.

Shut off phone ringers inside the home if you’re going to be gone for quite a while. When burglars hear phones ringing for an extended period of time in a home, they know that there is no one there to answer.

Be sure to replace all of the old locks as soon as you move into a new domicile. Though you may not suspect that the seller is up to something, you still need to be careful. Aside from that, other people lived in the home even before the ones from whom you purchased the home.

Don’t let people into your house that you don’t know. Even if they tell you a sob story about needing help, this warning remains true. There are some people who will just come in to see if you have a home security system, and if you do not, they could come back later when you are not home.

The wires that are on your house are very valuable. This is something few homeowners realize until they become victims of wiring theft. Experienced criminals can make a decent amount of money quickly by stripping copper wiring off of houses in order to sell it at a scrapyard. This is why the wiring should be hidden or difficult to get to.

Police Department

If you move into a home or apartment that has been previously lived in, the first thing you should do is change the locks. Although the tenant before might have turned their key in, they might still have a duplicate key. Find a reliable locksmith who can replace the locks or do it yourself.

The police department in your area may offer a home protection program. Some police departments offer things like code numbers to help find your valuables should they get stolen. If your police department does not offer these programs, find a private security company.

Before allowing any security company reps to come into your home, make sure they have on a uniform and they have valid ID. Thieves may say they are from a certain company to get into your home. This puts your household and valuables at considerable risk. Be careful to avoid any potential dangers.

Don’t put your extra key under you doormat, in a planter, or in a cleverly disguised false rock. Though you might think that you’re giving yourself something you could use to get into your house when you’ve lost your keys, you’re actually inviting intruders inside your house. Thieves are aware of all these spots. Instead, give your extra key to a neighbor whom you trust.

To increase your home’s security, buy some outdoor lights that are motion activated. Motion detection lights will turn on as soon as something or someone enters your yard. When they are positioned correctly, they make it pretty much impossible for intruders to get to your house unnoticed.

Lock the house, even if just going away for a short time. Break-ins are often the result of unlocked windows and doors. Once a thief is inside, he can steal a lot of valuables in a short amount of time.

Use the Internet when you are seeking a new home security company. Go through different websites and investigate testimonials about different companies and packages. From there, you can make appointments with your top three selections to compare final package pricing and specific details about plans and monitoring.

A good home security system monitors all entry points to your home. Your windows are also points of entry for burglars. Have alarms installed for each window and any other entry point. Do this to keep you and your family safe.

Keep safety at the forefront as you landscape. The doors and windows of your home should not be obstructed by trees, fences or shrubs. No one can easily break into a window which everyone can see. Plan these features for further away from your home.

If you’ve recently moved into a house, get any locks changed out. Even though the person who sold your home to you may seem honest, you simply can’t know for certain. Many other people could have keys to the property, and you probably don’t want them to all have access to your home.

Have your home security company inspect your home and suggest safety improvements. 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.

Were you aware that your home’s wires are valuable? A lot of people don’t realize this fact until a robber steals it from their home. The copper component of wiring is very valuable and may be stripped from the outside of your home in a fairly short amount of time. Be sure that you keep all your wiring hidden and make it hard to access.

A wireless home security system could be just the option you are looking for. Wired systems may be cheaper, however it usually means you’ll have to rewire your home, and your system may get finicky in the event of a power outage. Wireless systems tend to be easier for installation and maintenance, and they will not go out if your power does.

When you hire a security firm, be certain to review all contracts carefully. You need to find out about hidden costs, such as cancellation fees in case you want to cancel your contract before it expires. You are going to want to avoid these kinds of hidden fees, so know about them up front.

Always request that your house or pet sitter remove fliers from your door. Often burglars will place these at homes and wait to see if people take them down. If it stays where they put it, they will know you are on vacation.

This article has shown you the light. You should not purchase the first system you find. You want to make your family’s safety your priority. Keep the tips that have been discussed here in mind as you move forward.

If you purchase an expensive item, get rid of the box rather than allowing it to sit outside your home. Burglars will instantly take notices of these boxes and what used to be in them, making you an easy burglary target. When you empty the boxes, cut them up and throw them away so that burglars do not see them.