Keeping the bad guys on the outside is what you want to do as a homeowner. Unfortunately, it can often be tough to know where to begin. The article that follows should prove extremely helpful as you proceed.

After you buy your new house, get new locks. It’s important to know everyone who has a key to your home. Call a locksmith as soon as you can for maximum security. Do the same thing if you misplace your keys.

Do you have an outdoor dog? They can help you with your spare key. You can attach your key to your dog’s collar in order to keep the key hidden. Especially if your dog is not very friendly, this will help keep your key safe.

When looking to buy a security system, shop around. Most companies have different price schemes for the the same general level of protection. Obtain quotes from a minimum of three home security companies before making a final decision.

Use a safe to protect your valuables. A safe is the best way to protect your diamonds, gold and important documents. Keep your safe in your basement or attic to make it hard to find.

Don’t open your door if a stranger is on the other side. You have no way of knowing if the stranger on the other side of the door wishes to do you harm. Make it a habit to only open your home’s door to people you were expecting.

A spare key must be carefully hidden and not in the obvious spots that a person might think. Above doors or under doormats are much too common to hide them and potential criminals will check them first. Instead, try hiding a key on the collar of an outside dog.

If you have an attached garage, make sure it is secure. Lots of people are afraid that burglars will be able to break into their garage, which will result in them breaking into the home. Thankfully, you can prevent this. A C-clamp can prevent a garage door from even opening if the clamp is tightened on the door track near the roller.

Before selecting a security firm, ask for recommendations. Your loved ones likely have dealt with this situation before. Make broad inquiries so that you are able to make a well-informed decision.

An extremely important tactic for keeping your home safe is changing out the locks. Has a roommate or ex-lover moved out recently? If so, then you need to change out the locks in order to keep you and your home safe. It’s generally cheap can can take less than a day to do.

Turn the ringers off on all your phones if you will be away for a prolonged period of time. Intruders might be attracted by a phone that rings constantly without anyone picking up.

Trust your instincts when it comes to hiring a home security company. This is definitely the case if you’re not quite sure about the actual installation people. Ask for someone else to come out or switch companies. The purpose of using the company is to calm your uneasiness, not worsen it.

Remove all of the vegetation outside in the hotter months. These could catch on fire during the summer, especially if you live in a dry area. Always clear the yard to ensure safety.

A skylight is another area that needs to be protected for home security. Skylights are excellent for beauty and light, but it’s easy for burglars to gain access to your home through them. Make sure that you use safety hardware when the skylights are installed and maintained.

Always lock your home, regardless of how short your trip out is. Most break-ins and burglaries occur because a door is left open and an intruder just walks in. Once a thief is inside, he can steal a lot of valuables in a short amount of time.

A secure hiding place can be created in a wall. If you own small valuables that require protection, try hiding them in the walls. Place them in switch plates, phone jacks or an electric outlet. If you do not have any unused plates, it is easy to install a false one.

The alarm system you choose should protect more than just the doors to your home. All windows can be entry spots for thieves. The alarm and monitoring system should be set for all windows and doors. This will make your family safer.

Keep valuables out of sight of windows. Though it is nice to have big windows to get a great view of the outdoors, it is also easier for burglars to look into your home. If you have windows that face the street, always keep them covered and keep your valuables safe.

Don’t allow the wires of your home security system to be visible to others. You do not want the wires exposed for easy manipulation. Don’t make it easier for them, so have wires hidden in the house’s walls or buried. This way, you will be safer.

Be sure to replace all locks on a home you have bought. You don’t really know the people you purchased the house from or all the folks they shared keys with, so don’t place too much trust in the old locks. Aside from that, other people lived in the home even before the ones from whom you purchased the home.

Rotting Wood

Screen the references of anyone who would have access to your house. Check if they have any history of criminal activity. You don’t know whether the contractor, maid, or repairman that you’ve hired is trustworthy and handing them your keys could be a costly mistake.

Replace rotted wood that surrounds your door frame. It is simple for a robber to pry away rotting wood and enter your home. Always replace rotting wood with fresh wood immediately to keep your house strong and secure.

A bright home is a safe home. They do not want to be seen. With a well lit home there is no place for burglars to conceal themselves. Keep your lights turned on during the night.

Always ask for references before letting a contractor or a maid in your home. You should do a background check as well to find out their criminal history. You can never be certain if the contractor, repairman, maid, etc. that you hire to do services in your home is honest. If you let these people in without knowing anything about them, you could experience significant losses.

Have a home security company come to your house and come up with a system that best suits your needs. Every homeowner has specific needs for their home and their family. Doing this helps you get the best security you can get from the company, helping you to relax.

Motion Detectors

The outside of your house should be well lit. Burglars like using darkness to hide. Install lights in areas that possible criminals can use to enter your home. Make sure your porch, garage, doorways and windows are well lit.

When searching for methods of improving your home’s security, a great, inexpensive method of doing this is purchasing exterior lights with installed motion detectors. Cost-effective and aesthetically pleasing, these lights really add value to your home. If you position motion detectors properly, it is very hard for someone to sneak onto the property.

You may want to get a security system that is wireless. Although wired systems are usually more affordable, they usually involve changing out the wires of your home. As a result, if a power outage occurs, these wires will probably not be effective. A wireless system is easy to install, and will not become inoperable if your power goes out.

Look online for a reputable home security business. You can check out their packages and rates and also read some customer reviews. Then, you can choose a top three to contact and compare details and pricing.

Can you see the number of your house from the street? Make sure they are large in case emergency personnel need to find your house. Thankfully if you notice a problem it’s an easy and cheap thing to fix.

Consider installing a surveillance system for your home. A wonderful way to make your home safer is by putting in hidden or visible cameras. Also, you can capture the intruder in the act. You can sometimes access security systems using your cell phone, keeping you informed on the go.

A dog is an excellent burglar alarm. These pets are usually territorial and want to protect their masters. Keeping a huge and ferocious canine is not necessary. As long as he is noisy when strangers approach, he’s a great addition to the security of your home.

Is your street number on your house visible from the street? In the event of an emergency, police officers may have trouble finding your house if they cannot read your address numbers. Just replace them if you need to.

Keeping people out of various areas of your home does not have to involve using multiple locks and keys. Use a code-access lock for any door you don’t want others opening. You can have keyless locks installed by a security company or you can do it yourself.

Man’s best friend can be one of the most effective anti-burglary systems. They are protective about their territory, plus they make noises that keep burglars at bay. There is no need for a guard dog. Even the barking of a tiny dog can repel potential burglars, who want to avoid noises as they carry out their crimes.

Don’t use locks of the spring latch variety. These are very easy to pick by simply using a credit card. This isn’t a difficult maneuver either. If your locks are spring latch, either replace them or put in a deadbolt to protect yourself.

Keep blinds, shades, and curtains closed when you’re not home. If you leave them open, potential burglars can look in and case the joint. If they see something they like, they will then break in. It’s good to have them down at night, too.

Hard-wired home security systems can help you to cut down on costs. A wireless system required the regular replacement of many batteries. Forgetting to add new batteries can cause your system to not work as it should. Batteries can be very expensive to change.

You must make it a priority to keep your home safe for your well being and peace of mind. There is no denying this truth. Sometimes it’s hard to know what steps must be taken. Fortunately, these tips have shed some light on the matter.

Devote extra security to your irreplaceable possessions. Legal and financial documentation, IDs, pricey jewelry, and important mementos like family albums should be protected as carefully as possible. Floor safes are excellent locations for keeping these particular items safe inside your home. To be even more cautious, you can get a safety deposit box at your local bank.