Many people recommend maintaining a tight circle of business associates and friends to be successful in your professional or social life. When you have established a strong sense of familiarity with people, the relationship is going to be more honest and rewarding, as that trust will keep you from tiptoeing around issues. There is no reason to consider a home security company any differently. After all, the company is the base of operations for the home alarm system which protects your family and property. It is going to feel like an anonymous company at times, but that shouldn't stop a homeowner from staying in touch on a regular basis. Here are five important reasons to keep the home security company on speed dial and check in every nine months or so.

1. Detector maintenance should be regularly performed. Every home alarm system that has smoke and gas detectors connected needs regular cleaning. Most of the time, simple brushing and vacuuming will get the job done, but a more thorough cleaning should be performed about once a year. Your security company will do the best job, making sure the carbon monoxide and smoke alarms are clean and working properly while preparing them for another year of operation.

2. The tests shouldn't be put off. There are dozens of things which get in the way of the all-important practice runs of your security system. However, calling your security company to take care of regular tests should be a priority. Usually, they can handle it right on the phone and you won't need to wait for someone to show up at your home. If you know how the system is running on your own, you should do a self-test every month.

3. Establish the current methods of contacting your family and friends. Cell phones come and go, sometimes along with numbers; old neighbors move out of town; in general things change, but your security company only knows what happened when you tell them. Keep your phone list updated and write yourself a note to remind them of any changes every six months. Computers are good for automated alarms.

4. Make sure your renovations don't disturb your security apparatus. Changes to the home are a positive thing, but there can be a negative impact when your home security is compromised as a result. A quick phone call before you start on a repair project will lay out the possibilities of disturbing your alarm. In many cases, you won't have to change a thing. In the event you do, you'll keep everything moving along.

5. You can make your system better. The technology is guaranteed to improve every year, so remember to check with your security company regarding system upgrades. With just a slight upgrade, you may be able to improve your family's security drastically, or just make your system easier to use.