It is the job of every homeowner to do everything possible to keep their home properly secured. While an alarm is a good place to start, there are other steps that can be equally effective. Continue reading to learn more about how you can keep your home safe.

Place your spare key securely on your dog’s collar. This works with a dog that stays outside or a dog with a pet door. You can purchase a special collar that will hold your spare key, so when you forget your keys your dog can let you in.

Your faithful dog makes a great hiding spot for a spare key. This works with a dog that stays outside or a dog with 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.

After you purchase a new home, change the locks. 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. Make sure you do the same thing if you lose your keys sometime.

Beware giving keys to your maid unless the service has your absolute trust. If you do give your housekeeper a key or plan on doing so, it is imperative that they are honest and upstanding. One way to do this is to check their references. If you hire a cleaner who works for a company, speak with your local BBB about the company’s reliability.

If someone comes to clean your home, only give them a key if they’re trustworthy. 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.

Keep your jewelry, vital documents and other expensive items in a safe. If an intruder breaks into your home, at least these valuables will be secure. Hide your safe in a place that is hard to get to, like a basement closet or an attic.

Don’t use social media to announce that you will be gone for an extended period of time. There may be a thief within this list and you would have been inviting him straight through your front door!

Don’t let everyone in your social network know that you are leaving the home unprotected for your vacation trip; especially the people who you aren’t familiar with. It’s exciting going to new places and enjoying your time, but you could alert thieves to an empty home that they can easily break into.

Your friends may have some great advice for choosing the right company. This will help you to reduce the stress that you have on your search for a good one. Therefore, ask everyone you can in order to obtain the most advice. With thorough advice, the best decision can be made.

Don’t allow anyone you don’t know to look into your house. Even if they tell you a sob story about needing help, this warning remains true. Some criminals will come in, case your house and then come back when you are away.

Shut off the ringer for all of the telephones in your home if you are planning to go on vacation for a long time. A burglar might hear your phone ring and ring and ring, then realize that you are not home to answer it.

Make sure to clear your yard of brush and dead wood in the summertime. These can quickly become fire hazards when hit by direct sunlight, placing your house at risk. Keep your yard clear of debris to keep your house safe.

This information can help put you in the safest position possible. As inconvenient and confusing as this appears, it’s crucial for securing your home and family. You can do exactly that with these tips.

If you do not know the person at your door, don’t open it. Folks are always thinking up new schemes to get people to open the door so that they can commit their crimes. You should make sure you only open the door to your home for people that you know and are expecting.