Are you in search of the perfect plan for protecting your home and family? Thinking about this subject is smart, as it is never a mistake to do all you can to protect the people and things you love. To make sure your home is always safe, you need to do your part. Read this article to become more aware of home security.

When you buy a new home, be sure to have the locks changed. There is no telling how many key copies were made and given out by a previous owner. Call a locksmith as soon as you can for maximum security. Make sure you do the same thing if you lose your keys sometime.

It is important for your home to always look lived in. Buy timers so that lights, radios, TVs and all other electronics turn on and off at various times. This makes it appear that someone is home. This is an effective deterrent against burglars.

Make sure you have a safe to keep valuable items in one place. You need this because you would not want burglars to see these valuable items around in your house. Keep your safe in your basement or attic to make it hard to find.

You can hide your spare key on your dog. Of course, your dog has to be an outdoor dog (or you at least need to have a doggy door) for this to work. Keep a spare key around the dog’s collar.

When looking to buy a security system, shop around. Each company has different rates for their security system. Be certain to obtain multiple quotes prior to making your choice.

Providing a key to the person cleaning your home can be acceptable, but you must be sure they are honest and worthy of your confidence. Make sure they are honest, reputable and hardworking. Check out their references thoroughly. If they work for a firm, call the local Better Business Bureau to find out that firm’s reputation.

If you’ve got skylights, don’t neglect them when ensuring your home’s security. Skylights are great for making a home brighter, but they can make it easier for burglars to access the house. Any skylights in your home should be secured with strong hardware.

If your social networking accounts are filled with folks you do not really know, do not announce vacations on the sites. Although your first instinct is to share the news about an upcoming trip that excites you, the info may well fall into the hands of people who’d be interested in burglarizing your home while you’re away.

Walls are excellent hiding spots. If you own smaller things that need protection, think about keeping them hidden in the walls. Place them in switch plates, phone jacks or an electric outlet. If you don’t have unused plates, it’s easy to put in a fake one.

Don’t let people into your house that you don’t know. Be wary of those who come to your door selling products, asking for help, or telling sob stories. There are people that just want to go into your home to see if you’ve got a type of home security system, and if they see that you don’t, they’ll return when you’re not home.

If you have any boxes to discard from large, expensive items, wait until the evening before the trash is scheduled for collection. Doing so is like giving a burglar an invitation to target your home; he or she will know there is something good inside.

Put motion-sensor lights into your home. This type of light will come on when they detect motion within a certain distance of your home. This lets you know something is moving and also drives off criminals. Remember that the bulbs need to be changed so that the lights keep working.

When moving into a previously owned home, change the locks. While you may trust those who lived there before you, you have no idea who lived there before them. You can do your own installation to make sure that no one else has a key.

When choosing a home security firm, trust your instincts. This is definitely the case if you’re not quite sure about the actual installation people. It’s your home, and you are free to hire any company you like. The purpose of using the company is to calm your uneasiness, not worsen it.

Motion-sensitive exterior lighting is a must. These lights illuminate your home during the night. As an added bonus, they are affordable and quite efficient. If strategically placed, motion detectors ensure that it’s difficult for intruders to break into your home sight unseen.

Hiding Spot

Be certain to read the entire contract when you hire a home security firm. You need to find out about hidden costs, such as cancellation fees in case you want to cancel your contract before it expires. You want to avoid as many of these fees as you can, so read everything.

Walls are a great hiding spot for your valuables. If you have valuables that are small in size, you may want to hide them within your walls. Target any unused phone jacks or electrical outlets for an easy hiding spot. You can easily install fake unused plates.

You should find a home security company that will inspect your home and put together a customized system. All homeowners and homes differ. The right company will make you feel more safe and secure in your home.

Don’t hide an extra key under a rock or in a planter. While you may need to prepare if you have a spare key, it is wise to choose ways that do not increase the risk of a criminal gaining entrance to your home. Burglars always know just where to look. Rather, give your spare key to a neighbor or friend that you trust.

What do you need to personally feel safe? While these systems could be good for protecting your family, they aren’t for everyone. In certain areas, it may be just as useful to learn self defense or buy a dog, whereas other places may require added measures. Comprehend the risks associated with your home security so you now can make a more well-informed buying decision.

Whenever you move to a new dwelling, make certain to get each lock replaced. While the person that previously had the home may seem okay, you don’t know who they actually are. Keep in mind that there may have been residents prior to that person too.

Install a home surveillance system. This will allow you to see who is around your house. Visible cameras deter many intruders, but if they disable the cameras that they can see, your hidden camera can record the action. Many surveillance systems will allow you to access them through your cell phone; therefore, you can ensure your home is safe even when you’re gone.

Were you aware of how valuable your house wires are? Lots of people don’t know this until their wires are stolen. 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. This is why the wiring should be hidden or difficult to get to.

If you’ve got guests that you don’t want in particular areas of the home, close the area off so it is not accessible. Get key-less locks that need a code. You can install them yourself, or you can have a home security service install them.

Before you let anyone into your house, thoroughly check their references. A background check is also a good idea, so that you know what their criminal history looks like. There is no way of knowing whether or not service people are honest, so you should not give them keys to your home.

Do not buy spring latch locks. These locks can easily be picked within a couple of minutes. A card can be placed between the latch and the door, and this will open it. IF spring latch locks are already in place, add a deadbolt for that extra layer of security.

Sadly, there is no one home exempt from threats. You can do all you can to make your home as safe as possible. The information in this article can help you fortify your home against the those who would want to invade it, These ideas can be very valuable to ensure safety in your home.

Always store your irreplaceable valuables in a secure place. Irreplaceable valuables, including financial records, family photos, legal documents, passports, etc., should be secured at all times. You can keep these things in a floor safe placed in a secure area of your home. What is even better is the safe deposit box at your bank.