Safety is the most important part of the home that you live in. Do you know how to secure your residence? Keep reading to learn what you can do.

Make sure you trust your house cleaner before you provide them with a key. You should not let cleaners have your keys if you feel like you cannot trust them, or if they will be working in your home while you are away. Read through their references very carefully, and don’t hesitate to follow up on their references to ensure they actually exist. If you hire a cleaner who works for a company, speak with your local BBB about the company’s reliability.

Only provide your house cleaner with a key if you trust him or her implicitly. Before you give a cleaner full access to your home for extended periods of time, you have to be certain that they’re trustworthy and reliable. Check references thoroughly. If they work for a firm, call the local Better Business Bureau to find out that firm’s reputation.

There are more features to a home alarm system besides making sounds when people break in. Many systems sound an alert whenever people enter the house. This could be valuable for parents who have small children, making them aware when their kid has closed or opened a door.

Keep your jewelry, vital documents and other expensive items in a safe. This will help to keep your jewelry and other valuables secured in the event of a break in. Hide your safe in a hard to find place like the basement or attic.

Make sure your attached garage is secure. There is a way to stop thieves from entering your home from the garage. You can use a C-clamp to secure the door and prevent it from being opened by strangers.

Compare different systems when looking into home security. Prices can be very different from one product to another. Get quotes from several companies so that you can get the best price for your home security system.

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. You can prevent disasters by keeping your yard clean.

Social networking sites are great for keeping in touch, but post information sparingly. For example, you might avoid broadcasting when you are going out of town, especially if your friends list contains casual acquaintances. Potential intruders could get a good idea of when you will be gone by monitoring what you share on social networks.

Speak with the police in your town regarding the home security programs they have. Some police departments offer things like code numbers to help find your valuables should they get stolen. Talk with local police to see if they offer these programs.

Before selecting a security firm, ask for recommendations. Others may have had bad and good experiences that they share with you so that you may be able to save time and stress. Ask around to get lots of advice for making a better choice.

It doesn’t matter how much money you spent, you should have an annual test. A security professional should visit to help with the testing process. Mother Nature and wild animals can also cause issues with your home security system. If you don’t see the problem, you may remain unaware of it.

It is always best to not let people in that just show up out of the blue. Be wary of those who come to your door selling products, asking for help, or telling sob stories. Some folks will enter to scout for security systems, and upon seeing you lack one, will resolve to return at a later time.

Have lights that are motion-sensor installed. These lights will come on if someone walks near your home. This lets you know something is moving and also drives off criminals. However, make sure to put in fresh bulbs every now and then.

Do not open your door for strangers. People you do not know could have bad intentions or want to get an idea of how many valuable objects you own. Never open the door to anyone you do not know.

If you have skylights, do not neglect them when making sure your home is secure. Intruders could use skylights to enter your home. You should have them equipped with strong, sturdy hardware.

Your garage should be as secure as your home. A common concern expressed among homeowners is that someone might enter their garage and use that as an entrance to their home. There is a solution, however. A C-clamp can prevent a garage door from even opening if the clamp is tightened on the door track near the roller.

Even if you only plan to be gone for a very short time, lock your house. It is more common than you would believe for a thief to find a home, try the door and walk right in when it’s unlocked. It won’t take long for thieves to steal lots of expensive valuables.

Be outgoing. Be friendly with people that live in the neighborhood. Ask them to keep an eye on your home, and do the same thing for them. Don’t ignore any gossip either. You may stumble across valuable security information, like if someone has noticed a stranger lurking around the neighborhood.

Don’t just consider alarming your doors when you’re considering an alarm system. Burglars can gain entry through your windows as well. Make sure the alarm is attached to all of them, and that monitoring is offered for all possible entry points. This is vital to keeping your family safe.

You want all wires of an installed security system to be hidden. You don’t want a burglar to get access to them and disable your system. Make it hard for a burglar to avoid your detection. You will be much more safe.

When you purchase big, expensive items be sure to break down the boxes and take them to the recycling center yourself. Having these boxes nearby can tell robbers what kind of merchandise you’ve got in your house.

Are you aware of the value of your home’s wires? Lots of people don’t know this until their wires are stolen. The copper wiring can be stripped and be turned in for money. Hide your wiring for optimum security.

Make sure that the person analyzing your home for a home security system is who he says. Having the name of the technician coming to your house ahead of time can help to ensure you are allowing someone who really works for the company into your home. This is dangerous to your valuables and your family. You want to use caution to prevent danger.

Equipping each room in your house with a reliable flashlight (charged with good batteries, of course!) is an excellent safety investment. If the power goes out, you will be able to see everything. Also show your children how to use them so they can help out in emergencies.

When you consider a security company, be certain you read the details and fine print of the contract you’re about to sign. Sometimes, hidden costs can be incurred if you get rid of the service before a certain date. You want to avoid as many of these fees as you can, so read everything.

Unless you’re moving into a brand-new apartment or home, changing the locks should be one of your top priorities. Although it’s normal for owners / tenants to surrender their keys when they leave, there’s no way of knowing who else might have copies. You can purchase the locks and install them yourself to ensure you’re the only person that has a key.

Keeping your house bright and lit at night will deter many crooks. They don’t want anyone to see them. It makes it look like you are home and makes it difficult for thieves to hide. Secure your property by creating a well-lit area.

When allowing a representative from any security company to enter your home, look for someone in uniform and ask to see an identification. Many thieves use this tactic to enter a house. This proves rather dangerous for both your family and also your valuables. Use caution to stay out of danger.

Landscape around your home with an eye to safety. Doors and windows should not be obstructed by trees, plants or shrubs. If they can be seen, potential burglars will not be able to use them as hiding places before breaking in. Put landscaping farther away from the house for greater safety.

When seeking out home security firms, the Internet is an indispensable tool. Review the websites of several companies and play close attention to the types of services offered and the customer reviews. After reading about these services, you can narrow down the results and use appointments for price comparisons.

Consider your own personal safety needs and security risks before exploring home security systems. A home security system is a good idea; however, it is not the perfect solution for every home. Sometimes just taking a class in self defense or adopting a loud dog is enough, while at other times a full fledged security system might be the way to go. Understanding your neighborhood, risks and budget constraints can help you to make the best choices.

When you are out of the house, your drapes and blinds should be fully closed. If you keep them up, intruders will be able to see right into your home. They might see something worth breaking in to get. You should keep them closed while you are asleep.

If you plan to go away and have asked someone to get the mail, see if they will also remove fliers that may have been left at the door. Thieves have put them up in order to see if people are home to take them down. A flier that hangs around for days on end lets burglars know that there’s no one in the home.

If your door has a numeric keypad lock, never make its password your birth date. Your birthday can be found on mail or social media sites, so this means anyone can access your home. Think instead of a more creative way to keep track of your code.

Consider installing a surveillance system for your home. This will allow you to see who is around your house. Cameras that can be clearly seen have a powerful deterrent effect, while concealed cameras are difficult or impossible for intruders to disable. A lot of surveillance systems may be accessed through a cell phone, letting you check on your house when you’re away.

Hard-wired security systems can be a sound choice. Systems that are wireless are convenient, but the batteries required can be cumbersome. Not replacing the batteries keeps your system from working properly. It’s also very costly to replace a lot of batteries at once.

Dogs are an excellent way to protect your home. Dogs can be extremely protective of their space and are great at barking when something is afoot. A dog with a vicious attitude and large size isn’t necessary. As long as he is noisy when strangers approach, he’s a great addition to the security of your home.

Get going, now that you are armed with lots of useful knowledge. Don’t waste any time and allow these ideas to go to waste. Use them as a starting point to generate additional ways on your own that can help keep your home safe. You will sleep better at night knowing you have taken these important steps!

Keeping people out of various areas of your home does not have to involve using multiple locks and keys. Instead, key-less key code locks can work just as well. You can install them yourself or you can hire a home security firm.