No matter if you rent or own, you want to be safe. There are many ways to add to the security of your living space. Continue reading to find out how you can make your home a much safer environment.

It is important for your home to always look lived in. You can purchase inexpensive timers that will control different electronics and lights in your home. This will give your home the appearance of someone being there. This is a great way to keep your home safe and avoid burglaries.

Make sure that you change the locks once you’ve taken possession of the house. There is no way to ascertain how many keys the previous owner handed out. To ensure that you are the only one who has access to your house, call a locksmith. You should also have your locks changed if you lose your keys.

Put your spare key on your dog. This is only true if yours in an outdoor dog, or your house is equipped with a doggie door. Put a key on the dog’s collar so you have access to it when necessary!

Do you keep your dog outside if you leave the home? This pet may be an excellent storing spot for your spare key. You can attach your key to your dog’s collar in order to keep the key hidden. This works especially well as storage if your pet isn’t too fond of strangers.

When you buy a new house, change the locks. The previous owners or tenants might have made several copies of the key. Have a locksmith install a brand new lock. If you lose keys, make sure to do this, too.

Home security systems have additional features to just being noise alarms. They can be programmed to alert the homeowner if a person enters the home. This is important if you have small kids.

It is important to invest in building supplies that are as fire resistant as possible. This ensures your home won’t be a tinderbox. Fire prevention is always a good idea, and sometimes it can be a lifesaving idea!

Shop around when looking for a good home security system. Different companies can provide equivalent levels of service and security, but their prices can vary wildly. Make sure to obtain quotes from a minimum of three companies prior to deciding on a final one.

Remove old plants and debris from your yard. These items have a higher chance of catching fire during the hot months. Be sure all sorts of flammable items are kept under control around your home.

Fire-resistant building materials are the way to go, both inside and outside the home. Having your home built with fire resistant materials will help safeguard your home in case it catches fire. Avoiding fire hazards is a great way to keep things safe.

If you’re in a rural place, you might not be as worried about break-ins as those that are in the city. The risk is still there, so a home security system is vital. Still, there are those who are of the opinion that rural properties are less of a temptation to burglars.

If there are people you don’t know that have access to your social media sites, then you don’t want to let all of them know you’re on vacation. Although your first instinct is to share the news about an upcoming trip that excites you, the info may well fall into the hands of people who’d be interested in burglarizing your home while you’re away.

Skylights should be secure. Skylights are great for making a home brighter, but they can make it easier for burglars to access the house. Use heavy-duty hardware to secure your skylights to the roof.

Try not to have a shy attitude. Talk to the people who live in your neighborhood. Watch out for their homes, and ask them to do the same for you. Don’t disregard gossip either. Important security details (like the presence of strangers in your neighborhood) can come out of the most innocent conversations.

Were you aware of how valuable your house wires are? Many people never realize this value until wires are stolen right out of their home. The wiring contains valuable copper than can be quickly stripped from a home. To protect this expensive asset, hide your wires or make them hard to get to.

Motion sensor lights are a great investment. These are lights that turn on whenever any living thing gets too close to your home. They will notify you of any movement and can deter any possible burglars since they like remaining inconspicuous. Do not forget to change a bulb when it burns out.

Your door frame should be replaced if the wood around it is rotting. Home invaders interested are able to pry off any rotted wood to get inside. Replace the rotting door frame with a new one and keep your home much safer.

Changing your locks first can help make your home much more secure. Whether an old roommate left or a relationship ended, changing your locks is a good idea. It is not expensive and you can do it in less than a day.

Equipping each room in your house with a reliable flashlight (charged with good batteries, of course!) is an excellent safety investment. This is important for you to be able to see should your power go out or you suffer an emergency. Train your kids how to use flashlights so that all members of the family can contribute.

Don’t put spare keys inside plant boxes or beneath the welcome mat. A key that is easily found is a convenience for a burglar, not just for you. Rest assured, thieves have a good idea about these hiding places. You should have a trusted neighbor keep a spare key.

If you’re hiring a company for home security, be sure to read any fine print before you sign that contract. There could be fees for terminating the contract early or acquiring additional equipment down the road. Avoid as many fees as you can by reading everything.

Now that you know more about home security, get the process moving! You should not wait, especially if you have reasons to believe your home could be a target. Allow them to be the first step in your journey to learning all about home security. Once you improve your home’s security, you will sleep better at night.

Your landscaping should be designed based on what will be safest for your home. All of your windows and doors should be unobstructed by plants, shrubs, trees or fences. Keeping these features free of vegetation robs would-be burglars of concealment and hiding places. This will give your home additional safety.