Bad things usually occur whenever you aren’t expecting it. Don’t ever assume bad things can’t happen to you or your family. Read on to find some excellent tips to make your home as safe as can be.

Use your dog as the protector of your spare key. Outdoor dogs or pet doors make this possible. Place a spare key on the collar, and when you really need a spare, you know where to go!

Create the illusion that your home is constantly occupied. Purchase timers for electronics, lights, radios and TVs so that they will turn on and off at varied intervals. This way, your house will always look occupied. This is a simple way to improve your home’s safety and make it less attractive to criminals.

When looking to buy a security system, shop around. Wild variations in pricing can exist for similar security products. Get at least 3 quotes from security system companies and compare features and services as well as monthly costs.

If you need to leave a key for a maid service, make sure that that whoever cleans your house is professional and trustworthy. Make sure they are honest, reputable and hardworking. Be sure to make sure their references check out. If applicable, call the BBB to inquire about their reputation.

Never allow any 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.

See what the local police offer when it comes to home protection programs. Many have quite a few helpful programs that you take, like on self-defense or other things related to your home. Discuss the possibility of this sort of program with your police department.

In the summer, remove vegetation and dead wood from your yard. You risk a house fire if that sits there during the heat of the summer and catches fire. Be sure all sorts of flammable items are kept under control around your home.

Don’t forget about the skylights when securing your home. Although a skylight can bring light into one’s home and look good, it’s also a common entrance way for burglars. Make sure that you use safety hardware when the skylights are installed and maintained.

Is your garage used for storage? Consider removing those items and keeping your car there instead. It will be far more secure against thieves. It won’t be vandalized or stolen this way. Keeping your car out of sight is also good for thwarting burglars’ attempts to determine when you are likely to be away from home.

Use your walls as hiding spaces. This doesn’t necessarily involve chopping up your walls, either. There are many spots in your home that already have areas that are pre-cut. Why not take the guts out of an electrical socket you’re not using? You can convert it into a convenient and covert little wall safe.

Don’t be shy. Converse with those living in your area. Keep an eye out for their houses, and request that they return the favor. It does not necessarily pay to steer clear of gossip. You could learn important security information, such as if strangers have been lurking around the neighborhood.

Do not place your spare keys under your mat or even in plant boxes. Though you might think that you’re giving yourself something you could use to get into your house when you’ve lost your keys, you’re actually inviting intruders inside your house. Thieves are aware of these hiding spots. Give it to a neighbor you trust instead.

Alter the combination of the locks in your home. If you have boarders, former live-in partners, or others who once had access to your home, this is especially important. Most locksmiths can accomplish the job within 24 hours.

Lock your home at all times to err on the side of caution. Most burglars gain entry to a home through an unlocked door. A thief can take plenty of valuables in minutes.

No one should be able to see your valuables from outside. You might enjoy large windows so you can see out, but just remember that makes it easier for those burglars to see inside your home as well. Cover all street-facing windows.

While an alarm system or other security measures can make your home much safer, you must be sure that your security wiring isn’t exposed. Burglars can easily cut the wires if they are visible. Make it hard for intruders and bury the wires or hide them inside your walls, if possible. Keep yourself safe.

When you purchase big, expensive items be sure to break down the boxes and take them to the recycling center yourself. If you set these boxes out with the trash, thieves will know you have expensive items in your house.

Be on the lookout for rotten wood anywhere near your doors or windows. Home invaders interested are able to pry off any rotted wood to get inside. Replace rotting wood with new wood to stay safe.

The wires that are on your house are very valuable. Many people are not aware of this until they are stolen from their home. Copper wiring is quite valuable, and it’s quick and easy for criminals to strip it right off the outside of your house! Be sure that your wiring is concealed or difficult to access in order to keep your wires safe.

Keep flashlights in your rooms. Flashlights are important for letting you navigate your home in the dark. This can come in handy if someone has cut your power and is attempting to break in.

To increase your home’s security, buy some outdoor lights that are motion activated. This is a fairly inexpensive way to provide light and security to your property. By carefully placing them around the outside of your property, you create a perimeter that cannot be breached.

Check someone’s references carefully before letting them come into your home. You should do a background check as well to find out their criminal history. Anyone you bring into your home to work could be your worst enemy.

If you sign a contract for a security company, read all the fine print first. There may be hidden costs involved that you were not aware of. You’ll want to avoid any surprises so be sure and read your contract carefully.

You should find out how many years of experience your home security service has. A company with a long history has proved they can survive and provide great service to people. You’ll find it a lot easier to put your faith in the professionals if you take the time to verify their trustworthiness.

A bright home is a safe home. Intruders will avoid being noticed. Ample lighting makes it difficult for would-be burglars to approach undetected, and this turns your home into a less attractive target. Have lights that come on when they detect movement for best results.

Never enter your house if the door is open or something doesn’t feel right. This can be a dangerous scenario, as the criminal might still be present. Your best bet is to contact the authorities and wait outside for them to get there.

Keep your home’s exterior areas illuminated well. Burglars like using darkness to hide. So it’s smart to put a light in typically darker corners around your home. This means by the garage, in the doorways, around windows and much more.

Don’t use your birthday as the passcode for a keypad lock. Personal information, such as a birthday can be acquired on the Internet. If you use this as your password, you may make it easy for a burglar to rob you. Instead, make it a number which you can figure out through a math equation so you remember the equation instead of the number.

Your precious pooch is one of your best home security weapons. Canines are notoriously protective of their family and domicile. You don’t have to have a huge, violent guard dog, though. Even tinier canines can ward off intruders with enough noise.

Think about getting a hard-wired system if you have concerns about maintenance issues. A wireless system is handy, but the frequent battery changes can really amount to a large expense. Forgetting to add new batteries can cause your system to not work as it should. Replacing several batteries will quickly add up.

If your door has a numeric lock, make sure the combination isn’t your birthday. Your date of birth can be obtained through Facebook or your mail. Make it a random number that you and your family can commit to memory.

Sliding glass doors can be a huge security problem in lots of homes. They can be simply unlocked with a lift and a shake. If there is no security system on it, you should place a pipe inside the door channel. This jams the door so it just can’t open.

Always store your irreplaceable valuables in a secure place. This can include items like important photos, passports, pricey jewelry, and legal documents. One option is a floor safe inside your home. For ultimate security, of course, such items can be kept in an off-site location like a bank’s safe deposit boxes.

The windows on the second floor of your house should always be locked. People often overlook their second floor windows, assuming that thieves won’t check them. Yes, burglars will go up there. This represents a flaw in any home’s security scheme, and criminals know they can take advantage.

If the living room window in your home is facing the street, you must keep the curtains closed. You want to avoid having people peek in the windows. If potential thieves notice any expensive valuables within your home, they might target you. Make sure your valuable items cannot be seen from the outside of your home.

Burglars are not predictable, so you never know if you have become a target. Rather than just counting on luck, do what is necessary to protect your own home. Remember what you have learned, and do some research on your own so as to protect your family.

Try to purchase your security system direct from the company, rather than from a re-seller. Re-sellers are out to score quick money, and they likely won’t offer you any guarantees. You can avoid these additional fees and have access to quality service by going through a reliable company.