If you’ve always wondered whether or not you should invest in home security, keep reading. You should not settle on such a crucial matter. You have to take control and have the proper information. Keep reading to find out your options.

Make sure that you change the locks once you’ve taken possession of the house. You have no clue how many people were given keys by the former owner. Speak with a locksmith to get a unique lock for your home. This is also a good idea in the event that you misplace your keys.

After you buy your new house, get new locks. Many people may have been given keys by the former owner. To ensure that you are the only one who has access to your house, call a locksmith. Be sure to cal a locksmith if you were to lose your keys as well.

Invest in a safe in order to secure very valuable items. You need this because you would not want burglars to see these valuable items around in your house. Hide your safe in a hard to find place like the basement or attic.

Buy a safe to contain everything of great value. This will help to keep your jewelry and other valuables secured in the event of a break in. Keep your safe in a hard-to-get-to place, such as a basement closet or your attic.

Comparison shop when you are ready to buy a home security system. Most companies have different price schemes for the the same general level of protection. Ensure you talk to a minimum of three companies to obtain quotes before deciding the one that you believe is best for you.

When placing your spare key outside for emergencies, give careful consideration to where you put it. Doormats and door frames are predictable places that burglars will always check. One idea is to hide your key inside the collar of your outdoor dog.

Turn the ringers off on all your phones if you will be away for a prolonged period of time. If the phone continues to ring while you’re gone, this lets an intruder know that the home is empty.

Ask friends for some advice before choosing home security companies and systems. Others may have had bad and good experiences that they share with you so that you may be able to save time and stress. Ask around so you’ll have as much advice as you need in order to make a sound decision.

Even if you only plan to be gone for a very short time, lock your house. In a lot of cases, home intruders enter through unlocked doors. A thief could steal all your valuables in only a few minutes.

Don’t let strangers enter your home. Remember that intruders have a lot of experience with tricking people. Some folks will enter to scout for security systems, and upon seeing you lack one, will resolve to return at a later time.

Are you aware of the value present in the wiring in your home? Some intruders could strip your home of every bit of copper. The copper wiring can be stripped and be turned in for money. Hide your wiring to secure it.

If your garage is attached to your home, always keep it secure. There is a solution for people that are worried about burglars going into their home through an attached garage. You can use a C-clamp to secure the door and prevent it from being opened by strangers.

Replace rotten wood near door frames. If a person wants to enter your home, rotted wood can easily be pried away. Replace the rotting door frame with a new one and keep your home much safer.

Determine what sort of home protection services or programs the local police department has to offer. There are lots of different programs, like home inspections, that will help you take the proper steps to make sure your home adequately protected. These programs can make a big difference to the security of your home, and they may just be a phone call away.

Get flashlights with good batteries, and have them in each room in case you lose power. Flashlights are essential since they let you move around in an emergency. Be sure everyone in your family is aware of the location of emergency flashlights.

Walls are excellent hiding spots. Keep small, valuable items inside the walls of your home. Use an old switch plate, outlet or phone jack. You can easily install fake unused plates.

Before you let security company representatives into your home, check their ID. Burglars are creative, and they often pose as a member of the security team to get inside. This proves rather dangerous for both your family and also your valuables. Use caution to stay out of danger.

Don’t hide an extra key under a rock or in a planter. You may believe you are making life easier for yourself, but you may just be giving thieves simple access to your house. Thieves are aware of all these spots. Try having your trustworthy neighbors hold spare keys.

Always get references from anyone you are considering hiring to do work inside your home. Try doing a background check to look at their criminal history. 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.

Even if you’re not going to be gone long, keep your home locked. It may shock you to know this, but a lot of intruders get inside homes through open doors. It can be a quick job for a burglar to steal items of great value.

As you work on your home’s landscape, don’t forget about safety. Doors and windows should not be obstructed by trees, plants or shrubs. Keeping these features free of vegetation robs would-be burglars of concealment and hiding places. For a beautiful yard that’s also safe, keep the landscaping separated from the house.

When you choose an alarm system, pick one that offers protection that goes beyond the doors. Each window represents a possible entry for your thief. Be certain they are also alarmed and monitored. Doing this will help ensure the safety of your home and loved ones.

Make sure the outside of the house is well lit. Burglars seek darkness so that they can stay hidden. The most important parts of your home to light are all of its potential access points. This includes doorways, windows, and your garage.

If you are moving in your new home, ensure all the old locks are replaced. Regardless of how trustworthy you consider the last owners to be, neither you nor they can be sure that there aren’t others out there with keys to those locks. Many other people could have keys to the property, and you probably don’t want them to all have access to your home.

Consider your security risk and safety needs before purchasing home security systems. Security systems are a proven method of reducing your chance of break-ins, but it is not always the right choice. In some cases the security system is your best investment, in others you well-served with an alert dog or reinforced locking systems. Understanding your needs will help you make a good purchase decision.

Keep the outside areas of your home well lit. Dark houses invite burglars who prefer to operate under cover of darkness. Be sure all vulnerable exterior areas of your home are equipped with good lighting. Having these outdoor lights installed can really work as a deterrent to criminals who are considering your house.

When your door is found ajar when you get home, call the police. The thief may remain inside. Instead, you should call 911 and wait in a safe location for the police to arrive.

You should be able to take the information you’ve read here to propel yourself forward into the home security realm. Having the proper information regarding home security can really help you to get the most out of keeping your home safe. Use these tips and ideas to create a safer and more secure home environment.

You need to get a good home surveillance system. Video cameras are an excellent way to keep your home safe. Most intruders are discouraged by visible cameras. But, if they attempt to disable the camera, you will still be able to see them if you have a hidden camera. Some security systems are accessible via mobile phone, which lets you look in on your house when away.