Safety Is Important: Home Security Tips That You Must Know

If home security is on your mind, you want to pull together as much information on the subject as possible. This isn't something to be taken lightly. Figure out what will make your family feel secure in your home.

When you move into a new home change all the locks. Even though the previous homeowner may have given you keys to the house, there might be a key out there that someone has. To be sure you are as safe as possible, get all new locks for your new house.

Cut the bushes around your home. If someone is interested in breaking in, the first thing they are going to do is look for a place where they can hide as they try to find their way inside. If you want your yard to look aesthetically beautiful, plant flowers instead.

Do not hide your key in a mailbox or other well-known location. Instead, put your key in paper or aluminum foil and place it in a small container. After you do this, bury it in a spot in your yard where people would not think to look. This can help keep your home safe from unwanted guests.

Never open up your door to a stranger. People try many ways to convince others to open up their doors so that they can commit burglary or worse. Create the rule that you just open a door to people that you expect to arrive.

Be aware of what's being talked about in the neighborhood. The more you know about the people you live near, the more you can be sure of your home's overall security. You may here something strange through the grapevine. But beyond that, all your newfound neighbor friends make excellent watchdogs for keeping your property safe!

Install timers on your indoor lights. If you are planning on being away from home after dark, timers can make your home look occupied. This is especially useful if you are planning a vacation or other extended stay away from home. Make sure the timer is set differently in each room, as all the lights turning on at once does not look natural.

Ask your alarm system if they provide separate entry codes for cleaning people or maintenance men. If they do, take advantage of this feature. In many instances, you can arm the system to allow entry with that code only at specific times of day. This will help prevent potential thieves from entering your house during the evening hours or at other times when they know you might not be at home.

There are some disadvantages to a wired home security system. One considerable drawback is the fact that the system cannot be moved if you should sell your home. Another factor to consider is the initial cost of the installation. Since running the wires requires the services of an electrician, the cost is much more than a wireless system.

The best types of locks are deadbolt locks. Spring locks are the easiest for a thief to manipulate, they are also the most common on many homes. People will lock the spring lock on the doorknob, but leave the deadbolt unlocked. The deadbolt is the hardest for a thief to access, so use it whenever you can.

If you are going away on a vacation, don't brag about it to friends, co-workers or on Facebook. If you share the fact that you are going to be out of town for several days, you might come back to an empty house. Even though your friends or co-workers are totally trustworthy, you do not know who else they may inadvertently tell who may not be so honest.

Whenever you purchase some expensive item, don't place the empty boxes right outside your home. Burglars will instantly take notices of these boxes and what used to be in them, making you an easy burglary target. Break the boxes down, or take a scissors to them to help them fit in your trash can.

Think about getting a hard-wired home security system if maintenance costs are an issue for you. A wireless system is handy, but the frequent battery changes can really amount to a large expense. You might forget to change out the batteries, which will result in your system not operating as it should. Buying new batteries to replace the old ones can get expensive.

When you are decorating your home, make sure that all of your most valuable items are not in clear view through the windows. Large electronics, expensive artwork and other valuable items should be placed where people cannot see them from the street. This will make you less likely to become a target.

While many people avoid the neighborhood busybody, you should be friendly with them. These individuals are aware when anything suspicious happens in the neighborhood and can alert you if strangers have been hanging around. If your friends with them, they can alert you immediately.

Ask about the use of technology when contacting a home security company. Make sure that the company is up to date on the latest technology, and also ask if they can incorporate things you already own, like your computer or smart phone. Doing this will help you to know that you are purchasing the most innovative products and will not be left in the dust as technology improves.

Make sure that the doorbell on your home works. Before a burglar comes into a home, they almost always ring the doorbell to see if someone is at home. If you happen to be upstairs in the bathroom, you do not know if the crook is ringing your bell if it is broken. Get it fixed or you may have an unwanted visitor when you come downstairs.

This article provides a starting point for your research. You don't want to walk into your decisions blindly. It is essential that you put the safety of your family in the highest priority. Remember this advice, and you will feel better about the situation as a whole.