Home security is very much misunderstood. Making a thorough study of the topic is a good idea if you want to maximize the security of your home, your family and your possessions. Keep reading for some invaluable home security tips.

Does your dog remain outside while you’re gone? If so, you can use your dog to hide your spare key. Attach the key to the dog’s collar so that it is hidden from view. If you have a pet that does not trust strangers, this can help you get into your house if needed.

When looking for a system to secure your home, do comparison shopping. You would be surprised to see that the prices are much different for each company, even though it’s for the same type of protection. Get quotes from several companies so that you can get the best price for your home security system.

Make sure to use caution when deciding if and where to hide an extra key outside of your home. The doormat is too obvious of a place to hide it, as robbers will look there first. Try hiding your key somewhere more unique, like your outside dog’s collar.

Get roofing, flooring and ceilings that are fire resistant. This will help you protect your home under all circumstances. Avoiding fire hazards is a great way to keep things safe.

Don’t 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. Be sure that everyone in your home knows not to open the door to strangers and unexpected visitors.

If your social networking accounts are filled with folks you do not really know, do not announce vacations on the sites. It’s exciting going to new places and enjoying your time, but you could alert thieves to an empty home that they can easily break into.

If your garage is attached to your home, always keep it secure. People often worry about people getting in through attached garages, but you have a solution. You can use a C-clamp to stop the door from being opened.

You should mute your land line phone if you are going on a vacation. When burglars hear phones ringing for an extended period of time in a home, they know that there is no one there to answer.

There’s no security system so durable that it can go without regular maintenance and inspections. Have yours checked out once a year. Ask someone who works at the security company to do a maintenance check. Mother Nature and wild animals can also cause issues with your home security system. You may not know there’s an issue if you can’t see it.

Don’t let people into your home unless you know them. Remember that intruders have a lot of experience with tricking people. Some people will simply knock on your door to see whether or not there is a security system installed, and if there isn’t, they may target you later when you’re away.

When choosing a home security firm, trust your instincts. This goes for the installer, too. If you are unsure, contact the security company to make sure that the installer was actually sent by them. The purpose of using the company is to calm your uneasiness, not worsen it.

You need to be sure the attached garage of yours is secure. Lots of folks are concerned about burglars gaining access to the garage and then the home, but this can be addressed. However, you can use a C-clamp to help keep the door secure.

Understand certain safety precautions when it comes to having skylights for your home. Intruders could use skylights to enter your home. Be certain to have skylights that incorporate strong, durable hardware.

You might think that your home is secure. You might not know how to provide your home with the proper protection. Armed with the information presented here, you have the resources you need to secure your home 24/7.

The alarm system you choose should protect more than just the doors to your home. Windows are all potential entry points for burglars. Every single entry point needs to have monitoring on it. This can mean the difference between a safe home and one that is an easy target.