The topic of home security is very important for many homeowners; unfortunately, this topic is also one that many people aren’t fully aware of. To really know how to protect your house along with its contents, learn all you can about the subject. Read this article to learn excellent tips on ensuring your home’s safety.

Spare Key

Be sure your home appears to always be occupied. You can purchase inexpensive timers that will control different electronics and lights in your home. This gives off the appearance that someone is home. This is great for keeping a home safer from burglaries.

Consider using your dog as a place to store your spare key. This only makes sense if your dog is outdoors a lot or you have a pet door. Simply attach a spare key to your dog’s collar (in a secure and non-visible place, of course) so that you’ll be able to retrieve it if you need it.

Only provide your house cleaner with a key if you trust him or her implicitly. You need to ensure that they are honest and reputable according to references before you have handed over the key. It is best to do a reference check on them. Call the Better Business Bureau to see if their firm is well-reviewed.

Let a house cleaner have your keys only if they can provide you with references so you can verify their trustworthiness. You should not let cleaners have your keys if you feel like you cannot trust them, or if they will be working in your home while you are away. Check the housekeeper’s references very carefully. If the cleaner has been sent by a company, call the Better Business Bureau to check on the company’s reputation.

If you like to have a key hidden in case you lose yours, place it in a safe place. Intruders will think to look on the top if a door frame and under a doormat. An example would be to attach a key to your dog’s collar, if he stays outdoors.

Purchase ceiling, flooring and roofing that is fire resistant. This will give your home added security. Fire prevention is always a good idea, and sometimes it can be a lifesaving idea!

When in the process of purchasing a home-security system, be sure to comparison shop. Prices can be very different from one product to another. Obtain quotes from a minimum of three home security companies before making a final decision.

If you’ve got lots of people you don’t know on your social networks, don’t let them know that you’re going to be on vacation. This can indicate that your home will be free and vulnerable during the time.

If your house has a garage, keep the car there, not just your junk. It won’t be vandalized or stolen this way. Keeping your car out of sight is also good for thwarting burglars’ attempts to determine when you are likely to be away from home.

If you want to have a spare key close to your house in order to prevent lockouts, make sure you give its hiding place some careful thought. People will check your doormat and frame first. One good place to hide a spare key is in the collar of a dog that does not take kindly to strangers.

Don’t be afraid to know the people who live near you. Be friendly with people that live in the neighborhood. Look out for their property, and see if they will look out for yours. Listen for gossip too. You may find out helpful information about strangers lurking around.

Walls can serve as a handy hiding place. Jewelry and other small items can be protected very well when placed in hiding places in your walls. Just access unused switch plates, outlets or phone jacks. If there are no unused plates, you can easily install fake ones.

Shut off phone ringers inside the home if you’re going to be gone for quite a while. A loud ring that goes unanswered can alert people to the fact that you aren’t home. This makes you more likely to be the victim of a burglary.

Never place a spare key in a plant box or under your welcome mat. Though you may think you are giving yourself a way into your home if you lose your key, you are actually inadvertently inviting intruders into your home. Thieves are aware of these hiding spots. Rather, give your key to a neighbor you find trustworthy.

It goes without saying that home security is a very important topic for everyone. However, not everyone knows how to achieve real protection for their own residence and belongings. Consider the information that has been given to you as a resource for making sure your home is safe.

Don’t allow a complete stranger to come in your home. Burglars are getting creative, and they will do anything they can to gain access to your home. You should make sure you only open the door to your home for people that you know and are expecting.