If you own valuable items, such as jewelry, art or money, don’t assume that you’re the only one that knows about it. You must protect your home. Read these tips to make your home a safer place.

Man’s best friend can also be trusted to secure a spare key. But, this is only effective if your home has a pet door or your dog stays outdoors when you are not home. Just hide a spare house key on the inside of your dog’s collar. Then when you need an extra key, you will be able to access this one.

It is important for your home to always look lived in. Buy timers so things will go on and off at different times. This makes it appear that someone is home. This will help to deter burglars.

When you set out to purchase home security equipment, remember to comparison shop. Every company offers different pricing. Be sure and get a minimum of three quotes from different companies prior to choosing one.

Do you let your dog outside when you leave the house? If so, the dog can be a terrific spot to keep a spare key. You can attach your key to your dog’s collar in order to keep the key hidden. This is quite effective if your pet does not respond well to strangers.

Secure your garage. There is a solution for people that are worried about burglars going into their home through an attached garage. You can use a C-clamp to secure the door and prevent it from being opened by strangers.

Home security systems are able to do more than just sounding the alarm whenever you have an intruder. You can have your system alert you of any movement in certain areas of your home. This is a good way to keep track of where your young children are.

Avoid being shy. Talk to your neighbors and those on your block. Ask them to keep an eye on your home, and do the same thing for them. Don’t discount what sounds like idle gossip. You may find out helpful information about strangers lurking around.

It’s important to comparison shop for alarm systems. Prices vary quite a bit. You really owe it to yourself to solicit firm quotes from three different providers before you sit down to pick one.

Skylights could be a problem for the safety of your home. Although skylights provide your home with a lot of light, it is also very helpful for burglars to break in. Check that skylights have heavy duty hardware that can stand up under unwanted tampering.

Do not post on your social media accounts regarding when you will be away on vacation. This can indicate that your home will be free and vulnerable during the time.

The walls of your home make for great hiding spots. If you own smaller things that need protection, think about keeping them hidden in the walls. All you need is a wall opening you’re not using (something like a phone jack, electrical box, or switch plate). If there are no unused plates, you can easily install fake ones.

Don’t open your door when strangers are knocking. Criminals can be endlessly inventive when it comes to generating a convincing story to force their way into your home. No matter how sympathetic the story, remember that it could all be a put-on. You should only open the door to people you were expecting.

Don’t put spare keys inside plant boxes or beneath the welcome mat. Though you might think that you’re giving yourself something you could use to get into your house when you’ve lost your keys, you’re actually inviting intruders inside your house. Any thief knows all the typical hiding spots. Instead, trust a neighbor to hold your spare key.

Your garage should be as secure as your home. Some people are concerned about burglars entering through an attached garage. You can use a C-clamp to stop the door from being opened.

Don’t just consider alarming your doors when you’re considering an alarm system. Thieves can easily enter your home through a window. Be certain they are also alarmed and monitored. This is vital to keeping your family safe.

When summer comes around, eliminate all vegetation and dead wood from your yard. As the summer heat rolls in, there is a higher chance that these can catch on fire, putting your home at risk. Regularly clear away your yard to keep your home in good standing and safe for your family.

Having your home lit up and bright at night is a great deterrent to crooks. They don’t want anyone to see them. A well-lit home is like a red flag to a burglar. This makes it a good idea to keep the lights on.

If your house has a garage, keep the car there, not just your junk. Keeping the car in the garage can keep thieves from vandalizing or stealing it. Storing your car in the garage will also make it difficult for anyone casing your home to figure out when no one is going to be there.

Make an appointment with a home security company to evaluate the security needs of your home specifically. You need some features which other families may wish to do without. Most companies will create an individual plan to meet your needs so you can have a high level of security to assure your peace of mind.

Ensure that valuables are stored in a hidden area that isn’t visible from outside your home. Though it is nice to have big windows to get a great view of the outdoors, it is also easier for burglars to look into your home. Cover all street-facing windows.

If you come to your home and discover that your door has been left open, avoid investigating by yourself. You have no way of knowing whether the thieves are still inside. The best thing to do is call the police and wait for them to arrive before doing anything else.

Do you know how valuable the wires within your home are? Many people are not aware of this until they are stolen from their home. Copper wiring is quite valuable, and it’s quick and easy for criminals to strip it right off the outside of your house! Hide the wiring and make it harder to access to prevent this from happening.

Wireless security systems are the next generation in protection. 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. Wireless systems are easier to install and maintain, and they do not rely on the power in your home to work correctly.

Err on the side of caution when you are dealing with home security. Take steps so that you won’t have to be afraid. Keep this article in mind when pondering ways to improve the security of your home, so that you can secure your family and yourself.

If you’re planning to be out of your home for a period of time, have a neighbor remove any fliers placed on your door. Sometimes burglars leave fliers in an attempt to see if anyone is home to remove them. Fliers that are not removed let the burglar know that the home is vacant.