It is up to you as a homeowner to make sure you keep your home safe. While you may think the only thing you have to do is get an alarm system put into your home, there are a lot of other things that can be done. Read on to find out all you can.

Buy fire resistant flooring, roofing and ceiling. This adds an extra layer of protection to your home, especially if you live in a very dry area with power lines. Fire prevention should be taken seriously because it can stop a major disaster from happening.

Does your dog stay outside while you are gone? Your furry friend is also a great storage place for your extra key. Put it on their collar. Your dog is an especially good key hiding spot if he doesn’t react well to strangers, since they won’t approach him, but the key will be there if you need it.

Your friends may have some great advice for choosing the right company. It is probable that you will hear some great stories about some companies as well as some not so great stories about others. This can save you the hassle of having to research everything on your own. Keep asking to get the advice that will help you make the right choice.

Buy a safe for very valuable items in the house so you can keep them inside a single location. This is vital, as you want to safeguard your valuable items in case of home burglary. The safe should be situated in an inconspicuous area of your home.

Never open up your door to a stranger. Many people are devising many different schemes to get into homes and burglarize them. Create the rule that you just open a door to people that you expect to arrive.

Make sure to use caution when deciding if and where to hide an extra key outside of your home. Doormats and door frames are predictable places that burglars will always check. A possible solution is to attach a key to your outdoor dog’s collar.

Always go with your gut when it comes to choosing a security firm. This goes for the installer, too. There is nothing wrong with asking for a different technician if you’re uneasy. You need to feel secure with the entire process.

Before leaving for vacation, turn off the ringers in your house. If your phone is ringing while you are out, burglars will realize that no one is home, making your home very vulnerable to an attack during your time away.

Be cognizant of what others can see when they look in your windows. Large windows let in light and give you a great view outside, but that works both ways. Keep your curtains drawn to keep your valuable items safe.

Do not open your door for strangers. You have no way of knowing if the stranger on the other side of the door wishes to do you harm. You should only open the door to people you were expecting.

Even if you’re not going to be gone long, keep your home locked. It may be a little surprising, but most burglaries and break-ins happen because the intruder just walks right through an open door. A thief can take plenty of valuables in minutes.

Put motion-sensor lights into your home. This type of light will come on when they detect motion within a certain distance of your home. They help notify you of any movement around your house and deter burglars too. Replace bulbs regularly and check the sensors once a month.

When selecting a home alarm system, choose one that protects many areas of your home, not just the doors. Thieves can easily enter your home through a window. You want a security system that monitors all your windows and doors. This is great for keeping the family secure.

Always lock your home, regardless of how short your trip out is. It may shock you to know this, but a lot of intruders get inside homes through open doors. It can be a quick job for a burglar to steal items of great value.

You want all wires of an installed security system to be hidden. Intruders can disable a system if they see the wires. Don’t make it easier for them, so have wires hidden in the house’s walls or buried. Your system will be far more effective this way.

Purchase an alarm system that has a few “bells and whistles;” you don’t just need protection for your doors. Thieves can easily enter your home through a window. Make sure you have a monitored alarm on every one of them. This will help to keep your family safe.

Are you aware that the wires located on the exterior of your house have value? The majority of people aren’t aware of this fact until a burglar steals these wires. A skilled intruder could remove all the copper from your home within less than an hour. In order to protect yourself from this risk, make sure wires on your house are difficult to find and hard to access.

With your new knowledge, you have no excuse for a home that lags in safety measures. It may seem overwhelming right now, but it must be done. The above advice should be of help.

If someone from the security company comes to your home, ask to see their ID before allowing them in. They might not be who you think they are. This represents a danger to your possessions and your family. You want to use caution to prevent danger.