If you’re concerned about your home’s security, then you are at the right place. It’s impossible to tell when a criminal will break into your home to steal valuable possessions or attempt to harm the people inside. Keep reading to find out how you can make your home much more safe.

Do not give the key to your home to your cleaning person unless you are certain they are worthy of your trust. 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. Check their references fully. If you hire a cleaner from a company, then you should check the company with the BBB.

Your faithful dog makes a great hiding spot for a spare key. This really only works if you’ve got an outdoor dog or if you’ve got a pet door. Simply attach a spare key to your dog’s collar (in a secure and non-visible place, of course) so that you’ll be able to retrieve it if you need it.

Talk to people you know about their security systems. Other people will probably have personal experience with these companies that are either good or bad. They can share their experiences with you, which will greatly assist you in making the best decision. Keep asking to get the advice that will help you make the right choice.

Some home security systems have additional security features besides sounding an alarm to deter a burglar. Many systems can be used to go off whenever anyone enters your home. This can be valuable to parents with small children as they are made aware their child has opened or closed a door.

Don’t open your door if a stranger is on the other side. Criminals find ways to get people to open doors so they can commit crimes. You should make sure you only open the door to your home for people that you know and are expecting.

If you have a lot of unfamiliar people on you social networking accounts, avoid letting everyone know you will be going on vacation. It’s great to see new places and take a lot of photos, but posting them while still overseas lets thieves know your home is empty.

Always change the locks if you have someone move out of your home. Perhaps your roommate left town or you have gone through a messy divorce, and you need to feel that the home is safe. It doesn’t cost much and they can usually show up within a day.

Do not open your door for people you do not know. Criminals find ways to get people to open doors so they can commit crimes. Therefore, only allow people you know and are expecting to enter your home.

Keep valuables hidden within the walls. No need to damage your walls. Your home should have a few pre-cut areas that can be used. You could removed the wiring from an electric socket that you aren’t using, and stash jewelry inside it.

If you have a garage, increase your home security by using it to house your car, rather than just for storage. Having the car in the garage will prevent it from getting broken into or stolen. When your car is hidden, it will be hard for intruders to tell if you are home or not.

Avoid leaving spare keys outside of your home. While you may feel that you are keeping yourself safe by allowing a way in for yourself, you are also allowing everyone else to visit whenever they want. Thieves aren’t stupid and also know common hiding spots. Instead, give your extra key to a neighbor whom you trust.

Do not be shy. Talk to the people who live in your neighborhood. Watch out for their homes, and ask them to do the same for you. Never neglect gossip. You never know what sort of security issues you might become privy to.

Always lock your home, regardless of how short your trip out is. You may be surprised to know that many burglars simply turn the doorknob and walk right in. A thief can steal lots of stuff in a little amount of time.

If you’re in a rural place, you might not be as worried about break-ins as those that are in the city. Some think residents of the country are even more vulnerable because there are no close neighbors. Others hold that burglars are not as likely to target rural areas.

Home security installation technicians should always be in uniform and wearing identification. Thieves often pose as security company representatives in order to enter homes and look for valuables. This can put your family and possessions in danger. Trust your gut and if something does not feel right, it is okay to go with your feelings.

If you are moving into a new home, change the locks right away. The previous owners or tenants might have made some copies of the key. You can even buy and install the locks yourself so you know that you are the only one with a key.

Always check references before letting anyone work on your home. A background check may also be a good idea. You can never be certain if the contractor, repairman, maid, etc. that you hire to do services in your home is honest. If you let these people in without knowing anything about them, you could experience significant losses.

If you scheduled an appointment for a member of the security company to come to your house, ask them to show you some identification first. Intruders could disguise themselves to inspect your home. This is dangerous for your family and your possessions. Be careful to avoid this sort of danger.

When seeking out home security firms, the Internet is an indispensable tool. Check out reviews you find on the web. With that information, you can make your appointments with the top three companies you’ve chosen so that you can compare pricing and look at specific monitoring and plans.

Find out how long a company has been in operation before signing a home security contract. A long-standing company has a track record in the industry that people can attest to. It’s good to know that the company won’t disappear overnight and leave your home unprotected.

Safety should be kept in mind when you are planning your landscape. All of your windows and doors should be unobstructed by plants, shrubs, trees or fences. If they can be seen, there will be no place to hide. Put these features at a greater distance from your house; let beauty also complement safety.

The outside of your house should be well lit. Thieves like to commit crimes when no one can see. Put a light anywhere where an intruder can enter your home. Consider all your doors, porches, patios, decks, garages and all ground-level windows.

If you come home and see your door ajar, never investigate it alone. This can be a dangerous scenario, as the criminal might still be present. Instead, call the police to inform them of what happened, and wait on them.

Use a wireless security system. Wired systems might be a bit less expensive, but they often involve intrusive rewiring of your home, and can become faulty during a power outage. Wireless systems are much easier to install, and they can work independently of your home’s power.

Don’t neglect your garage when it comes to home security. Add frosting to your window glass to keep folks from looking in the house. Make a habit of keep your door closed and locked.

If you will be away from your home, arrange to have whoever is collecting your mail to also pick up fliers placed inside your door. Burglars have been known to put these up, waiting to see if they are removed or not. Fliers that are not removed let the burglar know that the home is vacant.

If you are away, pull your shades closed. If you don’t, others can look in and see that the property is currently unoccupied. If they notice something valuable, they’re more likely to invade your home. You should keep them closed while you are asleep.

Consider installing a surveillance system for your home. This will allow you to see who is around your house. If a burglar can see them, they are likely to go away. You can often view these feeds over the Internet, too.

Make sure that your key is in a hidden place. If you place it under a rock, a good robber will find it. A doormat is obvious, and a burglar is sure to look there. A better idea is to have a friend or neighbor keep your emergency key. If that option isn’t available to you, be creative with your hiding spots.

If you want to hide your house key, find a spot that is not obvious. It is easy to spot a fake rock. The doormat is the first place someone will look. You should just give a spare key to a trusted neighbor instead. If you want to keep it at your house, find a spot that’s not obvious.

If you are concerned about the cost of maintaining your security system, then you may find that a hard-wired solution is a good option. Wireless systems are of course convenient, but unfortunately you have to change numerous sets of batteries regularly. If you do not stay on top of your wireless security system, you run the possibility of it failing when you need it most. It can be expensive to replace a ton of batteries.

Instead of hoping that nothing bad will happen to you or your family, view the world in a more realistic way. Anything can happen unexpectedly, so you should try to be prepared. Use these tips to ensure your home is secure.

Common security problems in homes include sliding glass doors. They can easily be unlocked by lifting them and then shaking them. You can install a security channel to protect your sliding glass door and/or cut a piece of pipe or a dowel that fits into the door channel. This prevents the door from being opened.