If you are a homeowner, then you know just how important it is to keep your humble abode safe. Nothing is worse than seeing your home destroyed or ruined. Read the following article to learn how you can keep your precious asset safe.

Always change the locks changed when you buy a new home. There is no telling how many keys the previous owner. Do the same thing if you happen to misplace your keys.

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. This safe should be hidden in a location where burglars won’t find it, such as a hole in the wall, the attic, or a basement closet.

Home security plans have other triggering features besides having an alarm sound. Most security systems can facilitate alarm sounds anyone enters the home. This is great for parents that have small children so that they are made aware their kids open or closed a door.

Ask friend for any advice before you choose a security system or service. You can benefit from people who have gone before you by paying attention to their recommendations and warnings. Ask around so that you can have the advice that you need to make a sound decision.

Home protection program details may be available at your police station. Your local police department will help you with preventive measures, inspect your home and show you how to mark your valuables so they can easily be found. If your police department does not offer these programs, find a private security company.

It doesn’t matter how much money you spent, at least once a year.Ask someone from your security company to do a maintenance check. You might not even discover these problems if you can’t see it.

Talk to your neighborhood.

Don’t be shy. Speak with your neighbors and friends in the area. Look out for their property, and see if they will look out for yours. Listen for gossip too. You may find out helpful information about strangers lurking around.

Don’t forget about the skylights when doing a security sweep for your home.Skylights are a great addition to any home, but they also tend to be weak spots that intruders take advantage of. Be sure that skylights in your home can be locked securely.

Don’t put spare key under your doormat or beneath the welcome mat. These seem like great places criminals will look when they try to enter your home. Burglars are well aware of these hiding spots.

Those living in rural areas often don’t worry as much about intruders compared to city dwellers. Nonetheless, people in the country may be at greater risk due to being far away from neighbors. Some people think burglaries are less prevalent in rural parts.

Make sure that your valuables cannot be seen from the home. Large windows at the home’s front can be beautiful, but they also allow others to peer into your home.

When in the process of selecting an alarm system, be sure and get one that protects more than your doors. All windows can be entry points for thieves. You want to be sure that the alarm is connected to all your windows and doors. This is great for keeping your family secure.

Always lock your home when you leave it, no matter how soon you plan to return. It may be a little surprising, but most burglaries and break-ins happen because the intruder just walks right through an open door. It can be a quick job for a burglar to steal items of great value.

Replace all the locks in a new house.The previous owner may be perfectly respectable, but you don’t know everything about them.

Flashlights are important for letting you move around in an emergency. Make sure everyone in your whole family knows where to find them and how to operate them.

Anytime a security installer comes to the house, make sure they display proper identification. It is simple for a thief to pose as a representative of your home security company as a means of gaining access to your house. This is a danger to your belongings and your family. Make sure you are as cautious as you can be.

Be certain to read the entire contract when you hire a security company. There may be hidden costs or other things you should know about. You should avoid such expenses if you can, so make sure you are aware of them.

Having light on in your home at night is a good way to scare crooks away. They prefer not desire to be seen. Keep lights on in the night.

Always ask for references before letting a contractor or a maid in your home. Run a criminal background check on them, as well. Anyone you bring into your home to work could be your worst enemy.

Use the Internet to find a new home security company.After that, you can narrow down the results and use appointments for price comparisons.

Ask your home security company about how long they have been in business before you sign up for service. A company with a while has proved they can survive and provide great service to people. Knowing you are dealing with a shady company gives you extra peace of mind when making this important decision.

When you are trying to hire a home security contractor, read all the small print on your contract before signing it. Look out for hidden charges and surprises, especially if you need to cancel the contract early. It’s best to know about these fees in advance so that you can avoid them when possible.

Clearly, it is not prohibitively difficult to secure your home. It is important to do more research on home security before you decide what kind of system you want to invest in. Use these home security tips wisely. Don’t miss one, or you may leave your security with a hole.