The world of securing a home is a huge market with many vendors. No matter what kind of neighborhood you live in, home burglaries can strike anywhere and at anytime. However, you can reduce the risks of burglary by improving the security of your home. If you want to avoid becoming a victim, the following tips will help you amp up your home security.

Make sure you trust your house cleaner before you provide them with a key. When giving your house cleaner the key to your home, you need to be sure that they are reputable and honest. Read through their references very carefully, and don’t hesitate to follow up on their references to ensure they actually exist. If you are using a cleaning firm, make sure it has an excellent Better Business Bureau rating.

Do you keep your dog outdoors when you are away from home? This pet may be an excellent storing spot for your spare key. Find a place to securely fasten the key to your pet’s collar where it’s not visible. Especially if your dog is not very friendly, this will help keep your key safe.

Home security plans have other features along with an alarm that goes off during a break-in. The majority of systems will give an audible alert when someone enters the house. This could be valuable for parents who have small children, making them aware when their kid has closed or opened a door.

Before selecting a security firm, ask for recommendations. 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. Spending a few days asking for reviews is useful in helping you choose correctly.

It’s important to shop around before you settle on the right security system for your home. Each company has different rates for their security system. You really owe it to yourself to solicit firm quotes from three different providers before you sit down to pick one.

Shut off the ringer for all of the telephones in your home if you are planning to go on vacation for a long time. Intruders might be attracted by a phone that rings constantly without anyone picking up.

When planning to go away for a holiday, be sure to turn off the ringers on your home phones. If the phone continues to ring while you’re gone, this lets an intruder know that the home is empty.

Keep your car in your garage. Keeping your car in your house will deter intruders from vandalizing or stealing it. This will also make it more difficult for burglars to track when you away from home.

Don’t allow anyone you don’t know to look into your house. It is essential you do not do this, even if the stranger gives you a convincing story or states they need your assistance. Some people will knock on your door simply to see whether you have a security system.

Do not be reluctant to meet your neighbors. It is important to communicate with others who also live in your area. Ask them to watch your home if you are on vacation. Don’t discount what sounds like idle gossip. You may stumble across valuable security information, like if someone has noticed a stranger lurking around the neighborhood.

Secure your attached garage. There is a solution for people that are worried about burglars going into their home through an attached garage. If your garage door happens to lift on a track, using a C-clamp can help. the C-clamp prevents the door from opening if it’s tightened on the track close to the roller.

Install motion-sensor lights. They will illuminate your property if they sense any movement near your home. Then you will know someone is present, and if the person is a burglar, he or she will be very likely to turn around and leave. However, make sure to put in fresh bulbs every now and then.

Don’t hide an extra key under a rock or in a planter. These are the first places criminals will look when they try to enter your home. Thieves are aware of these hiding spots. You should have a trusted neighbor keep a spare key.

Rural areas are just as prone to break-ins as cities. There are differences between large cities and homes located in the countryside. Some people think burglaries are less prevalent in rural parts.

Be sure your expensive belongings are not visible from the home’s exterior. 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. Keep your curtains drawn to keep your valuable items safe.

Your door frame should be replaced if the wood around it is rotting. An intruder can simply pry away that rotted wood and enter your home. Replace rotting wood with new wood to stay safe.

Make sure to ask for identification for any home security company representative. Burglars are creative, and they often pose as a member of the security team to get inside. This is dangerous for your family and your possessions. Use caution to stay out of danger.

Your flashlights should always be equipped with good, working batteries. They will help you get around in case your entire home is dark. Teach your children how to use the flashlights so that everyone in your household can help.

Always get references from anyone you are considering hiring to do work inside your home. For a relatively small fee, you can also run a background check for their criminal history. You never know if the maid, repairman or contractor you hire is on the up and up, and letting them in or giving them a key could be a fatal mistake.

Home security is the only way to keep your family safe. No one ever expects crime to strike home. Keep the above advice in mind when coming up with a home security plan. Don’t wait for something to happen. Improve your home security prior to something happening.

If you hire a security company, read any fine print. They sometimes have hidden costs if you let go of them prior to the contract expiring. Avoid as many fees as you can by reading everything.