It is likely that you know someone who has been burglarized at one time. This crime is increasing, so you need to make an effort to keep your home secure. Homes can be broken into anywhere, at any time. The following article shows you some of the things you can do for your own security.

Any time you buy a new home, have the locks changed. There is no way to ascertain how many keys the previous owner handed out. Changing the locks will give you peace of mind that you and your family are the only ones who have access to your home. Do the same thing if you misplace your keys.

Only give your house key to a professional house cleaner if you trust them. If you plan to give them a key so they can clean in your home while you are away, ensure they are reputable and honest. Ask for references and check them thoroughly. If you hire a cleaner who works for a company, speak with your local BBB about the company’s reliability.

Home security systems aren’t just about sounding alarms. They can be programmed to alert the homeowner if a person enters the home. This is important if you have small kids.

Do you keep your dog outside if you leave the home? Your dog is an excellent place to hide your spare key. Find a place to securely fasten the key to your pet’s collar where it’s not visible. Especially if pets don’t like strangers, this can be a useful way for having easy access to your house.

If you keep a spare key outside to prevent yourself from being locked-out, think carefully about where you hide it. Avoid cliched hiding places like over the door frame or beneath the doormat. Experienced criminals will check these places immediately. You should hide it in your dog’s collar.

If you have an extensive online presence that includes a lot of people you don’t know too well, avoid announcing upcoming vacations. 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.

Talk to people you know for referrals when choosing home security systems. Knowledge of first-hand experiences can be very helpful to you when it comes to making this important decision. Be sure you seek out advice by asking those people.

Turn off your phone’s ringer when you go on vacation. A constantly ringing phone lets thieves know that you are not home and could increase the chances of you getting robbed.

When planning to go away for a holiday, be sure to turn off the ringers on your home phones. A phone which rings forever is a sign to burglars that you’re not there.

Garage Instead

Do not forget to secure the garage attached to your home. There is a way to stop thieves from entering your home from the garage. 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 should always park your car inside your garage instead of using your garage to store some belongings. This will keep it away from thieves and vandals. If you keep your car in the garage instead of in the driveway, it is harder for thieves to know whether you are at home or not.

Make your home safer by storing your car inside the garage. Keeping the car inside is a good way to keep criminals from stealing or harming it. If you keep your car in the garage instead of in the driveway, it is harder for thieves to know whether you are at home or not.

Changing your locks first can help make your home much more secure. This could be an ex-spouse or roommate you got into a fight with. It shouldn’t cost too much, and the process can be completed very quickly.

Always have your security system checked each year. Your security company should send a representative to check your system. There are many things that can be problematic with regards to home security systems, like wayward wild animals and the environment. If you cannot see a problem, you might not know one exists.

Have you ever heard that burglaries only occur at expensive homes? If so, then don’t buy into this theory! Intruders could target your home if you have a few valuables. Protect your family and your home by learning the easy tips shared in this article.

Be more proactive when you are determining the safety of your neighborhood. Speak with your neighbors. Watch their houses, and ask if they’d do the same. Pay attention to gossip. You might actually learn a thing or two concerning people that have been hanging around.