There is good reason to be concerned about home invasions. Knowing what a potential home invader will steal or how violent he will be is something you can’t predict. Read on, and learn how to make your domicile more secure.

Does your dog like to play in your yard? Store the spare key with them. Hook your key to the dog’s collar in a place that is shielded from view. If your pet does not get along with strangers, this will ensure your spare key stays safe.

Always have the locks changed when you buy a new home. You don’t know who might have a key. Call a locksmith to make sure you’re the only one with access to your home. Also, if you ever lose your keys, do the same.

Get a good safe to store your valuables in your home. This will keep your stash of diamonds, gold and other valuable items out of view and inaccessible to burglars. The safe should be situated in an inconspicuous area of your home.

Compare different systems when looking into home security. Prices can differ a lot among companies for the same type of protection. Get a quote from several companies before making a final decision.

Home security systems offer other triggering features besides having an alarm sound. Many systems sound an alert whenever people enter the house. This is a good way to keep track of where your young children are.

Buy housing materials that are fire resistant. This can provide additional safety to the home, particularly in dry regions. Avoiding fire hazards is a great way to keep things safe.

Solicit word of mouth recommendations from friends, colleagues and family members to find a great home security company or system. There are likely people you know that have had either good or bad experiences with these companies. Ask a few different people to help you make the best choice.

Make sure the ringer on any phones in your home is turned off when you leave for 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.

In summer, take care to trim back branches and plants near the house. These items have a higher chance of catching fire during the hot months. Keeping your plants and bushes trimmed will benefit your family’s safety as well as the appearance of your home.

Keep your car in your garage. If your car is in your garage there is less of a chance to vandalize or steal it. This can also keep people from knowing your schedule.

Eliminate dead vegetation and rotting wood from the yard each summer. These items have a higher chance of catching fire during the hot months. To make sure your home is safer, clear your yard periodically.

It doesn’t matter how much money you spent, you should have an annual test. Ask a home security employee to give it a look. Wild animals, domestic pets, and weather are all factors that can affect the reliability of your home security system. Sometimes it is very difficult to see the problem if you don’t know where it is.

If you do not reside in a big city, you may not worry as much about home burglaries. However, there is the belief that rural dwellers are more susceptible to break ins simply because there are no nearby neighbors. Not everyone believes this, though.

Have lights that are motion-sensor installed. When a person walks by your home too closely, these lights will go on. You will receive advance warning of any potential issues, and a would-be intruder will probably be scared off. Make sure you regularly change the light bulbs to ensure they continue to work properly.

Criminals often pick houses where they can see the valuables inside. Large windows allow you to keep an eye on who is approaching your home, but keep in mind that potential intruders will be tempted if they can see your valuables. Make sure you keep your blinds closed or arrange your possessions in such a way that they can’t be seen from outside.

Do not choose a home alarm system that monitors only your doors. It should protect the windows too. Have alarms installed for each window and any other entry point. This is a way to make sure your family will be safe.

You need to go with your gut instinct when it comes to negotiating and dealing with a home security installation company. If the installers give you the heebie-jeebies, it’s not a good sign. There is nothing wrong with asking for a different technician if you’re uneasy. The purpose of using the company is to calm your uneasiness, not worsen it.

Even the wires inside your home are worth something. Many people do not realize this until a crook steals it off of their home. The wiring contains valuable copper than can be quickly stripped from a home. Be sure to hide your wires or make sure they are hard to get to.

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. Just contact the police and sit tight until they arrive.

No one should be able to see your valuables from outside. Large front windows are great, but they also allow others to peer into your home. If your windows face a street, be sure they’re always covered and have your valuables safe.

You may want to get a security system that is wireless. Wired systems may be cheaper, however it usually means you’ll have to rewire your home, and your system may get finicky in the event of a power outage. A wireless system is easy to install, and will not become inoperable if your power goes out.

If you haven’t gotten a paper shredder, it may be time to purchase one. Unshredded documents can offer up a wealth of valuable personal information to thieves, including enough of your schedule to allow them to pinpoint the best time for a burglary. Rip paper into tiny pieces if you can’t afford to purchase a paper shredder.

Change all of the locks in your new residence. It may seem as if the former owners of the home are honest, but really you don’t know much about them. Keep in mind that other people may have lived in the home prior to the seller.

Put up video surveillance. Placing hidden and visible video cameras is a good way to keep your home secure. Cameras that can be seen are an excellent tool for preventing most burglars from breaking into your home. However, if they are brave enough to try to disable your cameras, hidden cameras will capture them. It is possible to use your cell phone to look at your surveillance camera, meaning you can see your house when you’re gone.

See if your firm gives you the choice of leasing and/or buying security equipment. You’ll spend less money in the long-run if you buy the equipment outright. Leasing usually proves cheaper at first, but it comes with strings attached through contracts or continuing fees and charges. Pick the option that suits your particular situation best.

Rotten wood on door and window frames needs to be repaired. If a person wants to enter your home, rotted wood can easily be pried away. Replace this old wood if you want to keep your house safe.

Don’t keep your car registration inside the glove compartment. This isn’t smart since anybody who gets them is going to know your address. Instead, carry them with you or find a more secure location in your car. Keep them close to you in case you get pulled over.

An automatic device can control your lights, turning them on and off at the time you set. Not only does this save you a step, you can continue the routine even when you are not home.

Flashlights in your home should always have newer batteries if your power goes out. They give you and your family the opportunity to move around should the electricity go out. Train your kids how to use flashlights so that all members of the family can contribute.

Instead of wishing that bad things won’t occur, look at everything realistically. You need to be prepared for many different situations. Keep these tips in mind in order to keep your home safe.