Even though home security means a great deal to virtually every homeowner, many of them are woefully under educated on the subject. 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.

Home security systems have additional features to just being noise alarms. They often even alert you to any time a door is opened. This is great for parents that have small children so that they know when their kids open or close doors.

Place the spare key that you make on your dog. This is a great idea if your dog is outside all the time, or they can get out through a doggy door. You can attach a copy of your key to the dog’s collar, so when you need that spare, you’ve got one handy!

Keep your jewelry, vital documents and other expensive items in a safe. This will help to keep your jewelry and other valuables secured in the event of a break in. Your safe should be placed somewhere it is not readily noticeable.

Don’t allow a complete stranger to come in your home. Many people are devising many different schemes to get into homes and burglarize them. Therefore, only allow people you know and are expecting to enter your home.

Once you buy a house, switch out the locks. You don’t know how many keys have been handed out previously. Get a locksmith in right away. You should also do this if your keys ever get lost.

Use your garage for your car and not for storage. This will keep thieves from stealing it or harming it. Hiding the car from plain sight can keep possible intruders from figuring out when you’re home and also when you are not.

Don’t be shy. Build up a rapport with the people who own homes close to yours. Agree to watch each other’s homes while you are away. It does not necessarily pay to steer clear of gossip. You may hear valuable information regarding security, such as if any strangers have been hanging around.

Be very cautious about entrusting a maid service with a key to your home. Make sure you know they are legitimate before giving out the key. Check out their references thoroughly. If you hire a cleaner who works for a company, speak with your local BBB about the company’s reliability.

Use exterior lights that have motion sensors. They’ll flip on when people walk within a certain distance of your house. They will signal movement to you but will also serve as deterrents to the thieves. However, make sure to put in fresh bulbs every now and then.

Skylights need to be secure, too. Skylights have a good function, but unfortunately they also often provide a way for a burglar to enter. Any skylights in your home should be secured with strong hardware.

Do you keep your dog outdoors when you go out? If so, the dog can be a terrific spot to keep a spare key. Put it on your dog’s collar, making sure it is hidden. This works very well if you have a pet that is not very fond of strangers. You will get the access you need without having to worry about your safety.

Rotted Wood

Remove and replace any wood that is not up to par. An intruder can simply pry away that rotted wood and enter your home. Therefore, replace rotted wood with fresh wood to ensure your home’s safety.

Ask your friends for advice before you choose a home security system or company. They probably have both positive and negative things to tell you, and those comments will help you make your own decision. Ask a few different people to help you make the best choice.

Checking out security firms online is a great idea. Look at various sites and read customer testimonials, along with details on various packages. Also find other companies to get quotes from as well.

Inquire with your home security service as to how long they’ve been in business. Companies that have been around for awhile show that they can provide reliable support. You may not feel as safe if you opt to go with a company that has not been in business for long or that does not have a stable history.

Secure your attached garage. People often worry about people getting in through attached garages, but you have a solution. A C-clamp placed on the garage door track will stop it from opening when you don’t want it to.

Have a home security company come to your house and come up with a system that best suits your needs. Everyone has different needs, and your security system should be designed to protect your home and family. If there is a company that can come up with a customized plan, you will get what you really need.

Be sure your home is well lit on the outside. Burglars seek darkness so that they can stay hidden. Be sure and have a light next to any entry point in your home. This will include doorways, porches, your garage, and ground floor windows that criminals can use.

The first thing to do is get your locks changed out. It might be that you have an angry ex-roommate or a bitter ex-partner, so changed locks will boost your security. This is a very easy process that you can complete within a day.

If you don’t own a paper shredder already, you might want to get one. Thieves are likely to steal documents that include your personal information if they can find them. If you don’t want a shredder, rip the papers up manually.

Consider installing a surveillance system. You can have great home security with both hidden and visible video cameras. If a burglar can see them, they are likely to go away. Many surveillance systems may be easily accessed through a cell phone so that you can check on your house while you’re away.

You could hide some valuables within your walls. You don’t have to cut out pieces of the wall to do this. Your home should have a few pre-cut areas that can be used. What about un-wiring an electrical socket which isn’t used to utilize as a cover to hide your jewelry?

Put the boxes of any expensive electronic items in your trash can so would-be burglars won’t know see them. If a burglar sees your empty box, he or she will know that valuable item is inside your house. That’s good motivation for a break-in. Cut the box up and hide the writing when you put it out.

It goes without saying that home security is a very important topic for everyone. Many don’t know how to go about protecting their homes. Hopefully, this article has given you some useful hints about securing your home.

Before you let a security company representative enter your home, make sure they are in uniform, and don’t hesitate to ask them for identification. It is easy for potential thieves to present themselves as representatives of a company in order to gain access to your home. This can put your family and possessions in danger. Be cautious to stay safe.