When you keep valuable items, such as money, expensive jewelry or original objects of art in your home, you cannot make the assumption that no one is aware of this fact. Upgrading your home security gives you protection from burglars. The following article will give you some great home security tips to help make your home a more secure place.

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 can be exciting to tell everyone about your vacation, but you could potentially be letting a burglar in on your whereabouts.

Put your spare key on your dog. Really this works only if you have a pet door or if your dog is an outdoor dog. Attach the key to your dog’s collar, and it will be handy if you ever need a spare.

You should never open your door to someone you do not know. People you do not know could have bad intentions or want to get an idea of how many valuable objects you own. Make sure everyone in your house knows not to open the door unless they know the person standing outside.

Attached Garage

Do you keep your dog outside when you aren’t home? They may provide you with a useful place to hide your key. Attach the key to the dog’s collar so that it is hidden from view. Especially if your dog is not very friendly, this will help keep your key safe.

Secure your attached garage. Some people are concerned about burglars entering through an attached garage. Try putting a C-clamp on your garage door track. This will stop the door from rising if you want to keep it closed.

Your home security system ought to be checked each year. Get a security comapny tech to check it. Many things can impact the performance of a security system, such as animals and weather. The problem might not be obvious to you, though.

Home security systems are able to do more than just sounding the alarm whenever you have an intruder. Modern systems are often capable of detecting any open door or window and announcing that fact. Parents of children can track their kids this way.

Go with your gut when you invite a home security company representative into your house. You are giving someone unlimited access to your home, so be sure the installer doesn’t give you a bad vibe. You can decide to use a different company, or ask for a different person to install it. At the end of the day, your efforts are so that you feel more comfortable.

Make sure the wires of your home security system are completely hidden. Burglars can easily cut the wires if they are visible. Hide them in the walls or bury them underground to keep people from tampering with them. Your system will be far more effective this way.

When in the process of purchasing a home-security system, be sure to comparison shop. Several different firms may offer similar protection for wildly divergent prices. Be certain to obtain multiple quotes prior to making your choice.

Replace any wood surrounding your door frame that is rotting. Anybody wanting to break into your house can just pry off rotted wood and get inside. Replace wood that is starting to rot with fresh new wood to keep your home as safe as possible.

Make sure your flashlights have charged batteries and are found throughout your home. This is important for you to be able to see should your power go out or you suffer an emergency. If you have kids, teach them how to properly use the flashlights so everyone in the family can help out during a power outage.

Solicit word of mouth recommendations from friends, colleagues and family members to find a great home security company or system. There are likely people you know that have had either good or bad experiences with these companies. Be sure you seek out advice by asking those people.

Consider your own personal safety needs and security risks before exploring home security systems. They can really protect your family, but they’re not something that everybody needs. Depending on your neighborhood and your household, you might well be better served by a reliable guard dog or self-defense training than by high-tech gadgetry. Ensure that you have considered all your options before making a final decision.

Never enter your house if the door is open or something doesn’t feel right. You have no way of knowing whether the thieves are still inside. Call the authorities and let them take care of the situation.

If you will be vacationing for an extended period of time, turn off the ringer on all the phones in your house. A constantly ringing phone lets thieves know that you are not home and could increase the chances of you getting robbed.

Wireless alarm systems are a great investment. Wired systems could cost less, but they can also require intrusive electrical work inside your house and can fail when the power goes out. The wireless systems are simpler to maintain and install and they don’t need power from the home to run.

Credit Card

Don’t open your door if a stranger is on the other side. There are many different tactics that crooks use to enter homes, and a common way is simply to walk up to the door and ask for help. Establish a rule where you and your family only open the door for expected visitors.

Spring latch locks are not a good option. These are very easy to pick by simply using a credit card. Intruders simply wedge a credit card between the door and latch, triggering the lock to open. If you are already using locks that operate on spring latches, improve your security by adding a deadbolt.

Blinds, shades and curtains are best closed when no one is home. If you leave them open, potential burglars can look in and case the joint. They might see something worth breaking in to get. You should keep them closed while you are asleep.

Avoid being shy. Speak with your neighbors and friends in the area. By knowing the people in your neighborhood, you can rest a little easier knowing that people are looking out for each other. It does not necessarily pay to steer clear of gossip. While this is unorthodox, it may clue you into a possible home security threat.

Having your home broken into is a reality and possibility that you cannot ignore. Perpetual fear is not some place you want to live, so take precautions. Follow the excellent tips presented here to provide your home, your family and yourself with great security.