There is a good chance that you know someone who has been robbed. Paying a little extra attention to home security is never a bad idea. All neighborhoods are targets for break-ins. Read this article to get ideas on securing your home.

Don’t open your door for strangers. Criminals find ways to get people to open doors so they can commit crimes. Be sure that everyone in your home knows not to open the door to strangers and unexpected visitors.

Don’t ever let it be apparent that there is no one at home. Put timers on the TV, lights and radios. This helps to create the illusion that someone is presently at home. This is an excellent technique that helps avoid robberies while keeping the property safe.

You need to secure your garage if it is attached to your home. Many people are concerned about people entering their garages to gain access to their homes. Use a C-clamp to secure the door if it’s off track.

You can hide your spare key on your dog. This approach is useful if your dog is a large breed that lives outdoor, or if your house has a doggy door. You could simply put a key onto your dog’s collar, so it is always handy.

Don’t forget to secure your skylights too. While they are nice and help with lighting, they also provide the burglars help with access to your home. Be certain to have skylights that incorporate strong, durable hardware.

You should only provide a house cleaner your key if you completely trust them. If you do give your housekeeper a key or plan on doing so, it is imperative that they are honest and upstanding. It is best to do a reference check on them. If you are using a cleaning firm, make sure it has an excellent Better Business Bureau rating.

Your valuables should not be easily seen from outside your home. While having huge windows may be good for letting in light and viewing what is outside, it also gives potential thieves a good look in your own home. If your house has street-facing windows, make sure they are always covered and your make sure your valuables are hidden away.

Compare various home security systems when shopping. Every company offers different pricing. Before choosing which company to go with, ask for quotes from a minimum of three companies.

Lock your home when you leave, even if you don’t think you will be away for long. In a lot of cases, home intruders enter through unlocked doors. A thief can steal your most valuable possessions in a short amount of time.

Don’t let people into your house that you don’t know. No matter how innocent a person may seem or how interesting the product he or she may be offering, you must not allow access. There are people that just want to go into your home to see if you’ve got a type of home security system, and if they see that you don’t, they’ll return when you’re not home.

If you install a security system, make certain to hide the wires well. Many intruders bypass a security system by cutting the wires. Never make things easy for them. Ask the person installing it to bury the wires or hide them inside the walls. Your safety will increase.

Make sure to clear your yard of brush and dead wood in the summertime. This sort of thing is a fire hazard in the heat of summer. Clear your yard often if you want to prevent a fire from starting.

Keep a flashlight with good batteries in every room of your home, just in case you lose power. Flashlights are important for letting you navigate your home in the dark. Be sure everyone in your family is aware of the location of emergency flashlights.

Meet with representatives from the security company you are considering to determine if they are trustworthy. If the men who come to your home to do the installation seem untrustworthy, you can change your mind. If you simply are not comfortable with a company’s technician, request for another technician or simply hire another company. You want your new system to protect you, not be the way the thief gets into your home.

A good way to scare off intruders is to keep your house lit at nighttime. This will deter crooks from trying your home. 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.

Lock your home at all times to err on the side of caution. It may be a little surprising, but most burglaries and break-ins happen because the intruder just walks right through an open door. Once a thief is inside, he can steal a lot of valuables in a short amount of time.

Inquire with your home security service as to how long they’ve been in business. Look for a security company that is well-established and has extensive experience in the industry. It can ease your mind when you know you’re not doing business with a company that might not be around tomorrow.

Don’t make the mistake of believing that break-ins only occur in pricey areas. Thieves can target homes that look easy to enter. Protect your family and your home against burglars by following the tips presented here.

If you come home and see your door ajar, never investigate it alone. The thief might still be inside, and you don’t have any idea whether or not they are armed. Just contact the police and sit tight until they arrive.