If there’s any place that you should feel safe, it’s your home. That’s why you should do everything possible to make your home the most secure place. This means getting a home security system. It’s an investment that will pay off and give you peace of mind. Give this article a read for home security advice.

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.

If you’ve recently bought a home, make sure you change the locks and alarm pass codes. Many people just take these items as is and don’t give them another thought, but consider that just about anyone could have a copy of the key or the pass code. That can include neighbors who you don’t really know. Be safe and change out both when you buy.

Keep lights on in your home or put the stereo on when you are going on vacation. This is important as it makes it look like someone is there at the house, so burglars will refrain from taking action with a potential robbery. This will keep your house safe and protected.

Install a peep hole so that you can see who is at your door before you open it. Criminals will knock at a door so that they can push past you when you open it. You should never open a door without knowing the person that is on the other side of it.

A survey taken by police officials reveals that 85 percent of them believe a home is more protected when equipped with a security system. Also, 60 percent of attempted burglaries are unsuccessful when the targeted home has a security system. For this reason, home insurance companies give a discount if the home has a security system.

Do not invite strangers into your home. Do not give in, even if a person uses a convincing story, asks for help or says they are selling something. Some people may simply be trying to determine whether or not you have a home security installed; if you don’t, they may plan to return later if you are away from your home.

Protect your valuables. Some common ways to do this are by storing them inside a safe-deposit box or storing them in a heavy home safe that’s nearly impossible to move. Make sure the safe is fireproof. You can use a chiseled-out space in the very top of your door for smaller valuables. You can even create a hiding place in a acoustical ceiling by removing a tile and restoring it with something like magnetic fasteners. Make sure to avoid leaving fingerprints with this method.

Protecting and covering outside wiring can be beneficial in increasing your home security. With the current prices of copper, thieves target easily available copper wiring, especially around air conditioning units. It is also important to secure and cover wiring to prevent intruders from cutting phone lines and power supplies to alarm systems.

Install outside lighting to deter intruders, especially if you live on a dark street or a rural area. To save electricity and enhance the surprise factor, install motion detecting light fixtures that only activate when there is activity. Mount these fixtures, using bright lights, at entrances and other potential points of unauthorized entry.

One of the biggest areas of concern in regards to home security is the landscaping of your home. Do not let your bushes and other landscaping grow to where it can hide entry points into your home. Thieves just love to be able to stay hidden while they enter and leave your home, so keep your bushes trimmed.

If you are planning to take a vacation, or you simply work odd hours, get timers for your indoor lights. This will help your home appear to be occupied, even when you are away. Place these timers in more than one room as well, as a burglar will quickly realize that only one of your rooms is illuminated at any given time if you do not.

Some of the advantages of a hard wired home security system is that it is more dependable than a wireless system. There are no batteries to replace, and the system does not rely on radio frequency waves. This means fewer false alarms which can mean a fine if the police respond for no reason.

Now that you know what it takes to keep your home secure, it’s time to take action. Only you can make your home into place that you will always feel safe living in. That’s why you should put this article’s contents to use. You’ll feel better knowing that nothing will compromise your safety.

Security 101: The Basics In Home Security was originally published on Spring