All homeowners want a safe and secure home, but it is often hard to know how to attain that goal. A little study and research can go a long way when it comes to finding all the elements of a solid home safety plan. Continue reading to learn all the different ways to help safely secure your home.

Your dog can keep your spare house key for you. This works with a dog that stays outside or a dog with a pet door. Hide a key inside the collar of your dog in case you need a spare.

You should always change the locks after purchasing a home. This is because you really have no idea who has keys, and therefore access to your home. To ensure that you are the only one who has access to your house, call a locksmith. You should also do this if your keys ever get lost.

The only time you should give out house keys to house cleaners is if you absolutely trust them. If you plan on giving them the key so that they can work in your home for over an hour, make sure that they’re reputable, hardworking, and honest. One way to do this is to check their references. If the cleaner has been sent by a company, call the Better Business Bureau to check on the company’s reputation.

Use a safe to protect your valuables. This will keep your stash of diamonds, gold and other valuable items out of view and inaccessible to burglars. Put the safe somewhere difficult to get to, like the attic.

The best home security systems do much more than sound the alarm (literally). You can have your system alert you of any movement in certain areas of your home. This could be valuable for parents who have small children, making them aware when their kid has closed or opened a door.

Buy roofing, flooring and interior paneling that is flame resistant. This is a good way to protect your home against fires, for instance if you live near power lines or in a dry area. Keeping fire hazards away is a great safety precaution since fire can cause lots of destruction.

Buy a safe. You would hate for your expensive jewelry, personal family belongings, etc. to be stolen in case a burglar breaks into your home. Keep the safe hidden in a hard-to-find location like an attic or a basement closet.

Talk to people you know for referrals when choosing home 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. Taking a little time to listen can make you a much better decision maker when it comes to home security.

If you like to have a key hidden in case you lose yours, place it in a safe place. Placing a key above a door or under a doormat is quite obvious! Try hiding your key on a lawn statue or in a potted plant.

Never open up your door to a stranger. You never know who they might be, despite their story. Make sure everyone in your house knows not to open the door unless they know the person standing outside.

If you have a lot of unfamiliar people on you social networking accounts, avoid letting everyone know you will be going on vacation. This can indicate that your home will be free and vulnerable during the time.

In the summer, remove vegetation and dead wood from your yard. These could catch on fire during the summer, especially if you live in a dry area. Clear your yard often if you want to prevent a fire from starting.

Never allow any strangers into your home. Remember that intruders have a lot of experience with tricking people. Some folks will enter to scout for security systems, and upon seeing you lack one, will resolve to return at a later time.

Is your garage used for storage? Consider removing those items and keeping your car there instead. It will be far more secure against thieves. Keeping your car in your house will deter intruders from vandalizing or stealing it. Hiding it will help to deter people from tracking the times you aren’t there.

Install lights that have motion sensors. These lights turn on if someone walks closely to your house. They help notify you of any movement around your house and deter burglars too. However, make sure to put in fresh bulbs every now and then.

Hide the wires of your home security system. Burglars can easily cut the wires if they are visible. Do not make things simple for a burglar, but rather bury all wires or hide them in the wall. Your safety will increase.

Don’t forget about the skylights when securing your home. Skylights are a wonderful addition to any home, but they also tend to be weak spots that intruders take advantage of. Check that skylights have heavy duty hardware that can stand up under unwanted tampering.

If your door is set in a rotted frame, you must replace the frame. Rotten wood is easily removed and can give an intruder a way into your home. Replace wood that is starting to rot with fresh new wood to keep your home as safe as possible.

Place your valuables in cut-outs in your walls. You do not have to damage your walls to keep your valuables safe. There’s plenty of places in a house with pre-cut areas that can be used. What about un-wiring an electrical socket which isn’t used to utilize as a cover to hide your jewelry?

Keep flashlights in your rooms. These items will help you remain safe when there is no electricity. Show your children how to use them so everyone in the family is involved.

Avoid leaving spare keys outside of your home. Though you may think you are giving yourself a way into your home if you lose your key, you are actually inadvertently inviting intruders into your home. Thieves are tricky, diabolical, and familiar with any and every hiding place. If you have a neighbor you can trust, have them hold your extra key.

Change the locks on any new place you move into. The previous tenants may have returned the keys, but they could have a copy. You might even install new locks yourself so that you know you have the only keys.

When a security company wants in your home ask for an ID and see if they’re in uniform. Criminals can easily pretend to be from a security firm as a means to gain entry to the house. This is a danger to your belongings and your family. Proceed with caution.

If you sign a contract for a security company, read all the fine print first. There may be hidden costs in the event you wish to cancel before the end of the contract. This may also be true if you need more or different equipment in the future. It’s best to know about these fees in advance so that you can avoid them when possible.

Having a bright and lit-up home at night deters crooks. Burglars don’t want to be visible. Making your home’s exterior nice and bright will make it impossible for crooks to go undetected. Have lights that come on when they detect movement for best results.

Keeping the home illuminated during evening hours helps keep criminals away. They wish to avoid detection. If your home is well lit, thieves won’t have any place to hide, so they may not want to steal anything from you. Keep the lights on when it’s dark.

You should find a home security company that will inspect your home and put together a customized system. Everyone has specific needs and wants when dealing with the security of their house, belongings and family. You will get the best home security system possible if you use a service willing to work with you to create a tailored system.

When seeking out home security firms, the Internet is an indispensable tool. Many websites feature reviews, testimonials, and package details from home security services. You can then make three solid selections and make appointments with them.

Arrange for someone to pick up your mail and remove any fliers from your door if you are out of town. This is a way people who are casing out your house can tell whether you are home or not. If the flier stays in place, the burglar knows that the homeowner is out on vacation.

You want the security company to actually come to your house and install the system according to your needs. There are always going to be unique things about your home as well as your specific needs, so make sure you think about these things. A custom set-up will make sure you’re as safe as can be.

Consider a surveillance system for your home and property. Installing hidden and visible video cameras is great for securing a home. Visible cameras can scare intruders, and hidden ones can catch them in the act. Many surveillance systems may be easily accessed through a cell phone so that you can check on your house while you’re away.

Keep your home’s exterior areas illuminated well. Burglars prefer the cover that night provides their criminal activities. Install a light in any area a potential intruder can get into your home. This includes doorways and porches, the garage, and windows on ground floors which may invite intruders.

A great way to deter criminals from getting into the garage is to make sure nobody sees inside it. Add some frosted glass panes to your windows to keep strangers from looking inside. Also, avoid leaving the door open for prolonged periods of time.

Your pup is a great crime deterrent. They are protective about their territory, plus they make noises that keep burglars at bay. The dog doesn’t have to be huge or even vicious. Any dog who barks, small or large, can scare off a burglar.

Are your house numbers visible from the street? In an emergency situation, first responders won’t be able to locate your house quickly if the numbers are hidden or are too small to see clearly. Luckily, you can fix this quickly and cheaply if you see there’s a problem.

Your alarm will only work if the police are notified. Get an alarm that automatically notifies the police. It is not easy to rely on neighbors for your safety.

When you aren’t home, be sure to close your blinds, curtains or shades. If you keep them up, intruders will be able to see right into your home. It could be enticing to break in if they notice something that’s nice. You should have the windows covered when you’re asleep.

Sliding doors are a huge security issue. They can be unlocked with a bit if jiggling. You should install a security system on your sliding glass door or place a pipe segment to fill the door channel. This will make the door a lot harder to force open.

Neighborhood gossip does not always have to be tedious and immature. They will be the first one to notice any strangers lurking near your home. Becoming friendly with them makes you more aware of the people they notice.

Always lock your second and even third floor windows. Many people overlook this since they don’t think criminals will check them. This could not be further from the truth. This represents a flaw in any home’s security scheme, and criminals know they can take advantage.

Women stand a much better chance of being the victims of home invasions, particularly if they live alone or with kids. One way to throw off would-be assailants is to put a large pair of muddy boots on the front porch, to suggest the presence of a big man. This will give criminals second thoughts and make your home a less tempting target.

Home security can be quite mysterious. If you are worried about the security of your home and loved ones, you must be concerned about this topic. The above article should be an excellent starting point for establishing your knowledge on home security.

Indoor locks are nice, but outdoor locks are better. Deadbolts are the best locks. The ones that are key operated on the interior and the exterior are burglar proof.