Regardless of whether you own a home or rent one, you want your place to be as safe as possible. If you don’t know what to do to make sure you keep your hard-earned possessions, keep reading! Make sure you save this article after you are done so that you can keep referring it throughout your decision making process.

Purchase ceiling, flooring and roofing that is fire resistant. This will give your home added security. Preventing a fire hazard is one of the safest precautions that you can take due to the level of destruction that it can cause.

Your dog could carry a spare key for you. Of course, your dog has to be an outdoor dog (or you at least need to have a doggy door) for this to work. Hide a key inside the collar of your dog in case you need a spare.

Home protection program details may be available at your police station. There are many that offer programs that include items, such as home inspection, how to use engraving tools to mark code numbers to identify valuables if yours are stolen, and protective measures advice. Ask your police department to see if these types of programs are available.

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. Making a great choice is important, so this advice will come in handy.

If you do not reside in a big city, you may not worry as much about home burglaries. Others think that living in the country is more risky than other areas because houses are so far apart. Some people think burglaries are less prevalent in rural parts.

Garage Doors

Skylights could be a problem for the safety of your home. They look great and provide light, but also are another access point. Check that skylights have heavy duty hardware that can stand up under unwanted tampering.

Be sure to secure your attached garage. You can prevent this from happening easily. A C-clamp is very useful for garage doors that lift on tracks. It will prevent garage doors from opening up whenever it is near the roller and is tight on the track.

You could hide some valuables within your walls. This doesn’t require tearing into your walls, of course. Instead, you can use the small spaces that are already there. Perhaps you could deactivate a few unused electrical sockets to use as a place to store stuff.

Be sure your expensive belongings are not visible from the home’s exterior. If you have big windows near your big entertainment system, it can seem like an invitation to thieves. You always want to make sure you keep your valuables covered if they are by a window.

You need flashlights and plenty of batteries in each room just in case your power ever goes out. Having a well-charged flashlight on hand is very beneficial in case of emergency. Teach everyone in your home to use the flashlights so all family members can see and help each other.

Lock up your house every time you leave. This is often a surprise, but the majority of burglaries are due to someone just waltzing right into an unlocked home. It does not take a long time for a robber to pilfer items worth thousands of dollars.

Prior to allowing access to anyone, make sure you are shown proper identification. Try doing a background check to look at their criminal history. You can never be certain if the contractor, repairman, maid, etc. that you hire to do services in your home is honest. If you let these people in without knowing anything about them, you could experience significant losses.

Were you aware that your home’s wires are valuable? Many people have their wires stripped each year. A skilled intruder could remove all the copper from your home within less than an hour. That’s why it’s important to hide your wiring, or make it hard for criminals to have access to it.

Always enlist the powers of online research to help you make a smart choice when it comes to home security companies. Many websites feature reviews, testimonials, and package details from home security services. Put together a list of the different home security companies you want to know more about and give them a call.

The number one thing you must do if you’re moving into a new place is have the locks changed. Even if the tenants turned their keys in, they may have made copies. You can purchase and install locks yourself to make sure only you have the key.

Do your landscaping keeping safety in mind. Don’t provide burglars with cover by planting big shrubs in front of your doors and windows. If windows and doors can be easily seen from all areas, then burglars cannot hide as well, which will hinder their plans. Plan your greenery and shrubbery for areas away from the direct path to your home to add beauty while still keeping your house safe.

If you are seeking home safety ideas that are simple and inexpensive, you should buy outdoor lights with motion sensors. These lights illuminate your home during the night. As an added bonus, they are affordable and quite efficient. If the lights are positioned correctly on your home, then it makes it much less likely for a burglar to enter.

Ask your security provider about their history in the business. Companies in business for many years engender great confidence and trust. Knowing you are not dealing with a fly by night company gives you extra peace of mind when making this important decision.

When choosing between security companies, read everything on the contract. There may be hidden costs to doing business with them, including early termination fees and surprising equipment costs. It is best to know all you can about a service you sign up for.

A reputable security company will send a representative to your home to design a custom system. Each situation is different. If you find a company that will tailor the plan you choose to your needs, you can get the highest level of security that makes you feel comfortable.

If you purchase a new TV or computer, don’t leave empty boxes from your purchases on the curb. If thieves see these type of boxes outside your home, they may want to break in to steal the items. Remember to cut up or break down those boxes and take them to the recycling center.

Use a wireless security system. While wireless systems are often cheap, the cost of installation can be sky high. Wireless systems are much easier to maintain and also to install, and they are not reliant on your central power source.

Are you able to see the numbers on your house from your street? In the event of an emergency, police officers may have trouble finding your house if they cannot read your address numbers. Fortunately, this is something that can be corrected quickly and cheaply.

If you do not already have a paper shredder, you may want to think about investing in one. Thieves often find the trash cans to be a gold mine of pertinent information about potential victims. Rip your important papers up before throwing them away if you can’t get a shredder.

Your furry friend is a great home security system, too. Dogs are very protective of their turf and usually make noises when something is amiss. There is no need for a guard dog. As long as he is noisy when strangers approach, he’s a great addition to the security of your home.

If you plan to be away and you have another person collecting your mail, have them double check your front door for fliers. Burglars sometimes place fliers as a means to see if anyone is home to remove them. If the flier is not taken down, the burglar assumes the homeowner is not in town.

Speak with your security company about contract lengths and any options available. You will probably find there are many pros and cons associated with each different contract. A contract that is longer might offer lower monthly payments, but you may have to continue with these if you decide to sell the house or discontinue services. While the monthly rates may be higher for a short-term contract, this option is more flexible.

The best way to keep a burglar out of your garage is to ensure no one can see inside. Add some frosted glass panes to your windows to keep strangers from looking inside. Do not keep your door open long enough for people to get an idea of what you own.

Keep curtains closed when you aren’t at home. When they’re open, it would be easy to see no one is there. They may break in if they see things they like. Do not forget to close your shades before going to bed.

You want your blinds and curtains closed if you’re away from your home. If you don’t, others can look in and see that the property is currently unoccupied. They may break in if they spot something that they like. Keep them down as you sleep, too.

Never place a key in an obvious spot. Everybody knows about fake rocks. Doormats, too. It’s best to ask a trusted friend or even a neighbor to hold the extra key. If you cannot do that, at least find an unusual place to hide the key.

If you turn the lights off or on always at the exact time, utilize a timer. This will ensure that they turn on and off when you can’t be at home.

Using a timer is a great way to make it seem as if you are home when you are on vacation. This is quite convenient because you won’t need to turn the lights off and on, and you won’t need to worry if you go away for a spell.

Sliding patio doors present a security problem in many homes. Intruders can easily unlock these doors by simply lifting and shaking. Place a pipe in the door crevice to keep the door secure. The door will be so tight that it would be much more difficult to open.

Any priceless items need to be secured. Some of these items can include legal documents, jewelry, passports, and priceless family photos. A floor safe is a great place to keep these items within the home. For added safety, place them in a safety deposit box at your bank.

Most people try to avoid the neighborhood gossip, but you should try to get them in your good graces. While much of the information these folks pass around is useless, they’re also the first to pick up on suspicious activity in the neighborhood. Stay on their good side and they will be sure to let you know if they see anything suspicious.

Hopefully now you better understand how to secure your house and belongings. There is no reason to procrastinate. Allow them to serve as a sounding board for all of your notions about home security. Once you improve your home’s security, you will sleep better at night.

Also, keep your second floor windows locked at all times. Many homeowners neglect this step because they believe burglars won’t bother climbing your home. However, this is actually not how it goes. A criminal can use a ladder, after all.