It is likely you know of someone who has been the victim of a burglary at some point. These situations are happening more and more frequently. A break-in can occur anyplace at all. Use the tips in this article to increase your home’s security.

Make your home look occupied at all times. Purchase timers for electronics, lights, radios and TVs so that they will turn on and off at varied intervals. This will give the appearance that someone is at your house at all times. This is a simple way to give people up to no good think that you are home.

After you buy your new house, get new locks. You don’t know who might have a key. Have a locksmith install a brand new lock. In addition, replace your locks if your keys ever get lost.

Do not post on your social media accounts regarding when you will be away on vacation. 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.

Be smart about where you decide to hide spare keys. Above a door frame or under a mat are not smart ideas. One good place to hide a spare key is in the collar of a dog that does not take kindly to strangers.

Before agreeing to work with a security company, check with your friends and family for recommendations. Others may have had bad and good experiences that they share with you so that you may be able to save time and stress. Making a great choice is important, so this advice will come in handy.

When planning to go away for a holiday, be sure to turn off the ringers on your home phones. A home phone that rings and rings is a good way for a potential thief to know if anyone is home.

Do not allow anyone you do not know into your home. Even if they tell you a sob story about needing help, this warning remains true. 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.

It is always best to not let people in that just show up out of the blue. Even if someone has a good story, requires help or has a great product to sell, ignore them. Some folks will enter to scout for security systems, and upon seeing you lack one, will resolve to return at a later time.

In the summer, remove vegetation and dead wood from your yard. These could catch on fire during the summer, especially if you live in a dry area. Regularly clear away your yard to keep your home in good standing and safe for your family.

During the summer, remove all vegetation and dead wood from your yard. As things heat up in the summer, items may catch on fire and threaten your home. Clear yard regularly to maintain your house safe.

Install motion-sensor lights. If someone enters their proximity, they will light automatically. Not only will you know that someone is out there, it will also deter burglars because they want to be inconspicuous. Test the bulbs frequently, though.

Request information from your local law enforcement agencies about home protection packages. Home inspections or engraving identifiers can help protect you. Get in touch today.

Switch your 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 does not cost much, and can be handled very quickly.

Those that live in rural area are not as concerned about having their home invaded as those who are located in the city. Some think residents of the country are even more vulnerable because there are no close neighbors. That said, stranger things have happened.

If you have purchased any large and/or expensive items, do not throw the boxes away until the day before the trash man is scheduled to come. These boxes sitting outside your home serve as a flag for thieves to target your home.

Always lock your house, even if you are only going to be away for a few minutes. It may be shocking, but many home invasions and burglaries occur by intruders walking through the front door that was left open. It does not take long for thieves to steal your expensive stuff.

If you have just moved into a new home, have every single lock replaced. Though you may not suspect that the seller is up to something, you still need to be careful. Remember that other families may have lived there before that person as well.

Obtain flashlights with solid batteries, and ensure they are kept in all the rooms of your home in the event of a power outage. They give you and your family the opportunity to move around should the electricity go out. Teach everyone in your home to use the flashlights so all family members can see and help each other.

Make sure you have several flashlights that are charged and ready to go in the event of a power outage. Having these in an easy to find place will allow you to see in the dark much quicker. Teach your children how to use the flashlights so that everyone in your household can help.

Anytime a security installer comes to the house, make sure they display proper identification. Having the name of the technician coming to your house ahead of time can help to ensure you are allowing someone who really works for the company into your home. This is dangerous for your family and your possessions. Trust your gut and if something does not feel right, it is okay to go with your feelings.

Keeping the home illuminated during evening hours helps keep criminals away. They do not desire to be seen. When you have a well-lit home, crooks won’t be able to hide and it will be hard for them to break in undetected. Keep lights on in the evening for a safer home.

Before you let any strangers enter your home, be sure you look over their references. Run a criminal background check on them, as well. You never know if the maid, repairman or contractor you hire is on the up and up, and letting them in or giving them a key could be a fatal mistake.

Always enlist the powers of online research to help you make a smart choice when it comes to home security companies. The sites of the companies themselves will provide you with details about their services, testimonials from their customers, and pricing information. Put together a list of the different home security companies you want to know more about and give them a call.

Perform landscaping for your home which enhances your home’s safety. Don’t obstruct windows or doors with shrubs, plants, fences or trees. This makes it where people can’t hide in different nooks and crevices. This should be planned in advance for your safety.

The number on your house should be easy to find. During an emergency crisis, smaller numbers prevent emergency personnel from finding your home quickly. Thankfully if you notice a problem it’s an easy and cheap thing to fix.

Have a home security company come to your house and come up with a system that best suits your needs. They should take your concerns seriously and address any issues you have. By locating the company that will create the best plan for you, you will be assured you are receiving the best possible home security.

When you are out of the house, your drapes and blinds should be fully closed. Intruders can see into your home if they are left up. They may break in if they spot something that they like. Also lower them while you are sleeping.

Never enter your house if the door is open or something doesn’t feel right. The burglar may be on the premises. Call the police, then wait until they get there to do anything else.

Talk to your home-security company to see if they provide buy and lease options for your equipment. It might cost more at first when buying the equipment, but you don’t have the extra cost each month. Leasing usually proves cheaper at first, but it comes with strings attached through contracts or continuing fees and charges. You need to think about each option to think about what is right for your home.

If you don’t have a paper shredder, you might want to buy one. Thieves may look through your garbage for information. You could also simply take care to tear up your discarded papers.

You should never use your birthday as the password for your numeric keypad. A thief can easily find this information out. Make it a random number that you and your family can commit to memory.

Is your street number on your house visible from the street? If you have an emergency, it will be hard for the police to find your house quickly if your numbers are hidden or too small to read. Luckily, you can fix this quickly and cheaply if you see there’s a problem.

Always keep valuables you can’t replace secure. This can include items like important photos, passports, pricey jewelry, and legal documents. A floor safe can keep these items safe. What is even better is the safe deposit box at your bank.

Avoid thinking that burglaries only happen to expensive houses. Any home that looks easy to break in is a target. If you follow the tips written in this guide, you will surely be able to protect your house from unwanted intruders.

Is your door made of solid wood or metal? If not, then replace it. These doors are strong. These materials make it difficult for a would-be thief to break down the door. You are probably able to replace your exterior doors for a small price, so do that soon.