Keep reading to get some valuable pointers on securing your home safe.

Check out their references very carefully. If your cleaning person comes from a company, check with your local BBB.

It’s important to comparison shop for alarm systems. Prices can differ a lot among companies for the same type of protection. Be sure and get a minimum of three quotes from different companies prior to choosing one.

Do not invite strangers into your house. No matter how innocent a person may seem or how interesting the product he or she may be offering, keep them from entering your home. This person might just be casing the first rule of keeping your home security equipment.

They are a fire risk. Clear your yard so it looks good and is safe.

A spare key must be carefully hidden and not in the obvious spots that a person might think. Above a door frame or under a mat are not smart ideas. Rather, think about putting a key on your outside dog’s collar.

Local Police Department

See if your local police department has any home security programs. They may offer things such as home inspections, home inspections, engraving tools for marking code numbers onto items so that they will be easily identified if stolen. Contact your local police department to see if they offer this type of program.

Don’t open your door when strangers are knocking. People are coming up with all sorts of ways to convince people to open their door to them, with the intent of committing burglary or worse. Make sure everyone in your house knows not to open the door unless they know the person standing outside.

Keeping your car inside will prevent people from stealing or vandalizing or stealing it. This will also make it more difficult for burglars to track when you away from knowing your schedule.

It is important that you check your home security system periodically, you should have an annual test. Ask someone who works at the security company to come over and have a maintenance check. You may not know there’s an issue by yourself.

See if your area police department has any home security programs. Many police departments offer programs that can include home inspections, home security training and more. Ask your police department to see if these types of programs are available.

Put motion-sensor lights into your house. These kinds of lights will pop right on whenever any living thing gets too close to your home. Make sure you regularly change the light bulbs in your motion activated lights so that they continue to work correctly.

The fist thing you’ll need to do for home security is to get your locks changed out. Maybe you had a roommate move out or have a disgruntled ex-lover, so changing the locks can keep you safer. It doesn’t cost much and the job won’t take more than a few hours.

Do not be shy. Introduce yourself to your neighbors. Ask them to keep an eye on your home, and do the same thing for them. Pay attention to gossip. You might find out valuable information related to security, like if there have been any strangers hanging around.

Don’t forget skylights when securing your home. Skylights are great for making a home brighter, but unfortunately they also often provide a way for a burglar to enter. Be sure that skylights in your home can be locked securely.

Walls can be a great for hiding items. You should think about hiding certain small valuables in your walls. You can use the opening provided by an electrical switch plate or electric outlets as hiding spots. You can easily install fake plate if there aren’t any unused plates.

Trust your instincts when it comes to hiring a home security company. This is especially important when it comes to the company employees who will be installing your system. There is nothing wrong with asking for a different technician if you’re uneasy. Your security system is supposed to help you, not cause you more stress.

Do not place your spare key under your doormat or even in plant boxes. These are the first places criminals will look when you misplace your home. Thieves know common hiding spots.

It is very common for potential thieves to present themselves as representatives of a company reps in order to get into your home. This represents a danger to your belongings and also your family. Be careful if you let into your home.

You should always lock up your house, even if you’re only planning to be gone for a short time. Break-ins are often the result of unlocked windows and doors. They can get a ton of stuff quickly and be long gone before you return.

Use the Internet when you are seeking a reliable home security company. After narrowing down your top five choices, you can narrow down the results and use appointments for price comparisons.

Ask the home security company how long they have been running prior to signing up. A company with a long history has proven that their service is reliable. Knowing that you are dealing with a fly by night company can keep you extra peace of mind when making this important decision.

When you choose an alarm system, pick one that offers protection that goes beyond the doors. Intruders can enter through your windows too. You want to be sure that the alarm is connected to all windows and entry points. They are the most effective.

Never enter your home if the door open. This can be quite dangerous because the burglar might still be in your home. Your best bet is to contact the authorities and wait until they arrive before you do anything else.

Think about a home security system that is wireless. A wired system is probably less expensive, but they can require extensive rewiring work and may be rendered useless if the power fails.

It is important to always have fresh batteries and flashlights handy around the house. Flashlights are critical, and provide you with the freedom to move about as needed. Make sure each member of your family knows where the flashlights are and how to operate them.

You can instead get key-less locks without keys that need a code. You can install it yourself.

Think about hard-wired system if you have concerns about maintenance issues. It can also be very costly to replace a ton of batteries.

Anytime a security installer comes to the house, make sure they display proper identification. Criminals can easily pretend to be from a security firm as a means to gain entry to the house. This situation presents danger to your home, family and belongings. Take care to steer clear of danger.

You must always keep second-floor windows are locked.Many homeowners neglect this point and believe that burglars won’t bother climbing your home.This could not be further from the case. Criminals know that this vulnerable area in home security.

The best locks you can get are deadbolts that include captive keylock. These have a thumb latch so that prevents others from reaching around and opening the lock via a nearby broken window nearby. When at home, keep the key inserted inside the lock so you can leave if there is a fire.

Keep safety in mind when doing landscaping. Make sure that there is nothing obstructing your doors and windows. This makes it where people can’t hide in different nooks and crevices. Put these features at a greater distance from your house; let beauty also complement safety.

Smoke Detectors

Clean your home’s carbonic monoxide and smoke detectors. Lint and dust can build up and mess with the sensors if they aren’t cleaned regularly. Your smoke detectors can’t do as good a job protecting the home from carbon monoxide and smoke.

One effective home security trick you can use is by installing outdoor motion sensor lights. It will be easier for intruders to keep an eye on you and approach your home if they can hide in the dark. Install lighting anywhere a possible intruder might break in. This can include garages, doorways, porches, and even near any windows on the ground floor.

Look at home security company that have more than just security systems. Great companies are willing to come assess the house and make some recommendations that can keep your family much safer. You might need to modify your landscaping, trim your shrubbery and/or beef up your security locks. You need to ensure that the firm really takes its work seriously, and any company that discusses these things with you really cares.

Be sure that you make intruders aware that you have installed a notice of your home security alarm system. Window stickers and signs will deter intruders. If they learn about the alarm once they break in, they still have a chance to grab something and run.

A paper shredder can be a good security investment. You will be astonished at how burglars find important information from loose paper that they could use to break into your house. You can also simply tear papers with personal information into small bits before you discard them.

If you have a ladder in your shed, be sure you have a lock on your door. This gives intruders a chance to get into your homes second floor.

Change the locks if you take possession of your new home. A new lock and key will ensure that there are no strangers with keys to your family home. If keys get lost, change your home’s locks to ensure it’s secure.

Put in a surveillance system. Both hidden and visible security cameras are effective in protecting your home. If a burglar can see them, they are likely to go away. You can sometimes access security systems using your cell phone, keeping you informed on the go.

Most people know that home security is important. Unfortunately, most aren’t aware of how to optimally protect their home. Hopefully, the tips included above will help you move toward a more secure lifestyle.