Aspiring musicians and old-timers alike must consider their safety and security when playing. Though it's no fun to stop jamming to think about these things, it is a necessity. If you're more than an occasional musician, you probably have a fair amount of money invested in musical equipment. This alone poses a bit of a home security challenge. If it's fairly well-known that you are a musician, you can expect that area thieves know about your expensive equipment and instruments.

Always make sure that you have a safe place to keep your musical equipment, whether you use it nightly or don't have the time to play as much as you used to. Consider a specially equipped room in your home with motion detectors, surveillance cameras, and door alarms, especially if you have some high-end gear in there. If a robber was to break into your home, your expensive gear might even be a higher priority target than cash or jewelry.

Those who have musical equipment should be especially careful to record the models and serial numbers of everything they have. In the case of a flood, theft, or other emergency, this can help police track down your equipment or aid in its replacement by your insurance agency. Though every home or business owner should keep an accurate inventory of their most valuable possessions, this is especially true for those with specialized and very expensive equipment, no matter their industry.

While at home, pay attention to the signals you're sending. Consider whether your neighborhood is safe enough to play in your garage late at night. You may be advertising your expensive guitars, or perhaps worse yet, angering a neighbor who may have it in his mind to come after you. Plus, you might be throwing away boxes that are clearly marked with the names of fancy electronic equipment, or leaving your guitars near the open window where you like to play, in full view of passerby.

If gigs have you out late, think about the security challenges this might pose. As a musical professional, you might be playing at bars and clubs into the wee hours of the night. Even those who play at weddings and daytime events are at risk of having their equipment stolen en route to their home or storage space. If you routinely carry musical equipment in your vehicle, make sure you've read vehicle safety tips, especially those that are meant to help you avoid a carjacking or someone trying to break into your car. Take care not to load your car in a dark alley unless you have lots of help around - this is prime time for someone to walk off with an amp or a guitar.

If you do find yourself at lots of late-night gigs, be sure to prepare yourself so that you don't inadvertently wind up in a bar fight. Whether you're a bar patron or the entertainment, always carry pepper spray or similar devices to protect your safety, and of course always follow alcohol safety guidelines, whether playing on stage or enjoying a show.