Don’t turn a blind eye to the security of your home. Take stock of the reality of your situation and make an informed decision. Unfortunately, just getting started in this important area is sometimes confusing. The following information should be very beneficial.

Place the spare key that you make on your dog. However, this method is only effective if your dog is large, scary, and stays outdoors. Place the alternative key on your dog’s collar in case of an emergency.

Your dog can safeguard an extra key. Of course, your dog has to be an outdoor dog (or you at least need to have a doggy door) for this to work. You can purchase a special collar that will hold your spare key, so when you forget your keys your dog can let you in.

If someone comes to clean your home, only give them a key if they’re trustworthy. Anyone you give the keys to your home to should be unarguably honest. Do a background check on them. If this professional is from a company, it’s best to check with the Better Business Bureau to see what kind of reputation they have.

Be sure your roof, floors, and ceiling are fire resistant. Your home will get added protection, especially if your environment is dry and has power lines. Fire prevention should be taken seriously because it can stop a major disaster from happening.

You need to be sure the attached garage of yours is secure. Often people are concerned that burglars can enter the home via the attached garage . Happily, there is a solution to this problem. You can use a C-clamp to stop the door from being opened.

Don’t let people into your home unless you know them. Even if their story is compelling, they need assistance or want to sell you something. There are people that just want to go into your home to see if you’ve got a type of home security system, and if they see that you don’t, they’ll return when you’re not home.

Do not be shy. Talk to your neighbors and those on your block. Watch their homes and ask them if they’ll watch yours as well. Pay attention to gossip. You might hear helpful information, for instance if strangers have been hanging around.

During summer, remove your landscape’s dead vegetation and wood. When summer heats up, such debris can catch fire. Keep your yard clear so it is a safe area.

Motion sensor lights on the exterior of your home is a great idea. When a person walks by your home too closely, these lights will go on. You will be alerted when there is activity outside, and any potential burglars will be deterred because they do not want to be seen. Just remember that you must change the bulbs often in order to keep the lights working in order.

Get to know your neighbors. Introduce yourself to your neighbors. Keep an eye out for their houses, and request that they return the favor. Do not ignore gossip either. It is often a good way to find out about security issues, such as strangers in the neighborhood.

Don’t forget about the skylights when securing your home. They look great and provide light, but also are another access point. The hardware that secures your skylights should be sturdy and durable.

Do you have skylights? If so, you should keep them in mind when protecting your home. Skylights are excellent for beauty and light, but it’s easy for burglars to gain access to your home through them. Any skylights in your home should be secured with strong hardware.

The walls of your home make for great hiding spots. This is a great way to hide jewelry, for example. All you have to do is place them behind any unused phone jack, electrical outlet or switch plate. If there are no unused plates, you can easily install fake ones.

Walls are the perfect place to hide. If you have valuables that are small in size, you may want to hide them within your walls. You could use a phone jack, electrical outlet or a switch plate. If you do not have any unused plates, it is easy to install a false one.

Purchase flashlights that have good batteries, and keep them in every room in your home in case the power goes out. Flashlights are very important, as they will give you the ability to move around in the event of an emergency. Your whole family should be trained on the proper use and maintenance of flashlights.

Keep the wires of your home security system hidden. An intruder can cut the wires or disconnect them and avoid the system. Don’t let this happen; bury or hide the wires. This will help to deter intruders that are looking to quickly disable your alarm system.

Keeping the home illuminated during evening hours helps keep criminals away. They wish to avoid detection. If you have your home lit up, then you have made it hard for burglars to hide and rob your home. Keep lights on in the evening for a safer home.

If you make a large purchase, like a big screen television, don’t simply set the box out in front of your home. If you leave the boxes out all week, it lets people know what type of items you have in your home.

Checking out security firms online is a great idea. Many websites offer reviews, recommendations, and detailed pricing information. After that, choose your top three for consultations.

If you move to a dwelling that has had prior occupants, make sure you get the locks changed. The person who used to live there may still have a key. It’s easy to install locks, so you can just purchase them at the home improvement store and swap them out to be sure you have the only keys.

Before signing up for a particular home-security company, find out how long they’ve been around. Companies in business for many years engender great confidence and trust. 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.

Any time you let a stranger into your home that is doing some kind of work, it is best to ask for references. Try doing a background check to look at their criminal history. It is impossible to know if the newly hired maid or one time repairman might be a crook unless you check them out. Providing them with your key might be the biggest mistake you’ve ever made.

Keep the outside areas of your home well lit. Nothing is as attractive to a burglar as a dark, deeply-shadowed house. Install lights by each and every entryway to your home. This includes doorways and porches, the garage, and windows on ground floors which may invite intruders.

Ask the home security companies to visit your home and design a system tailored to your needs. Every person has specific needs and wants when dealing with securing your family, home, and items. By locating the company that will create the best plan for you, you will be assured you are receiving the best possible home security.

Before checking out security systems for your home, think about your personal security and safety needs. Some systems might not be adaptable to your situation. It may be better for you to take a self-defense class or buy a dog. The neighborhood you live in makes a difference. Be sure to assess the risk level you face before making big decisions.

Always keep your home’s exterior well lit. Criminals like to blend into the shadows, so do your best not to provide too many for them. Install lights in areas that possible criminals can use to enter your home. This will include doorways, porches, your garage, and ground floor windows that criminals can use.

A dog is an excellent burglar alarm. Dogs are protective of turf and generally make noise when something is wrong. There is no need for a guard dog. Even tinier canines can ward off intruders with enough noise.

If the front door is open when you get home, resist the temptation to go in alone to find the reason. This can be quite dangerous because the burglar may still be on your property. You should call the cops and then wait for them before you do anything else.

If you lose your house keys often, you might want to install a keyless entry system. If you do have areas to lock, consider getting keyless locks that you can open using a code, rather than carrying a huge ring of keys around with you. These may be installed by yourself or a security company.

Shred any documents and junk mail that contains identifying information. Thieves can often be found looking through garbage cans in search of personal information found on bills and credit card slips. Rip your important papers up before throwing them away if you can’t get a shredder.

Ask if your company offers options to both buy and lease your security equipment. It may be more expensive to buy equipment at the outset; however, you may save money in the long run if you are free from monthly payments. Leasing may seem cheaper but might require contractual agreements and fees. Investigate each option and determine which makes more sense.

If you want to feel safe and secure, you must attend to your home security needs. This is a universal truth. Thankfully, this article has shown you the way.

If you are concerned about the cost of maintaining your security system, then you may find that a hard-wired solution is a good option. As nice as wireless systems can be, the constant charging and battery changes can become tedious and expensive. If you do not stay on top of your wireless security system, you run the possibility of it failing when you need it most. It can also be pretty expensive to replace batteries.