You should definitely be concerned about your home’s security. Knowing what a potential home invader will steal or how violent he will be is something you can’t predict. Read this to make your house safer and secure.

Your dog can safeguard an extra key. However, this method is only effective if your dog is large, scary, and stays outdoors. Keep a spare key around the dog’s collar.

Place the spare key that you make on your dog. This will only be ideal if you have a dog door or an outdoor dog. You can attach a copy of your key to the dog’s collar, so when you need that spare, you’ve got one handy!

Home security systems offer other triggering features besides having an alarm sound. They often even alert you to any time a door is opened. This can be valuable to parents with small children as they are made aware their child has opened or closed a door.

Shop around when looking for a good home security system. 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.

Only provide your house cleaner with a key if you trust him or her implicitly. 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. All references should be checked. Call the Better Business Bureau to see if their firm is well-reviewed.

If you keep a spare key outside to prevent yourself from being locked-out, think carefully about where you hide it. Avoid cliched hiding places like over the door frame or beneath the doormat. Experienced criminals will check these places immediately. Instead, try hiding a key on the collar of an outside dog.

Remove all of the vegetation outside in the hotter months. They are a potential fire hazard during warmer months. Clearing your yard keeps your home, belongings and family much safer.

If you’ve got a garage, make sure to use it for your car rather than extra storage space. Protect your car from vandals by keeping it in the garage. Hiding the car from plain sight can keep possible intruders from figuring out when you’re home and also when you are not.

Store your car in the garage if you have it. Keeping the car in the garage can keep thieves from vandalizing or stealing it. When your car is hidden, it will be hard for intruders to tell if you are home or not.

You should not be shy. Build up a rapport with the people who own homes close to yours. Look out for their property, and see if they will look out for yours. Don’t ignore any gossip either. You could learn important security information, such as if strangers have been lurking around the neighborhood.

When choosing a home security firm, trust your instincts. If the installers make you feel uncomfortable, heed your feelings. If you are unsure, contact the security company to make sure that the installer was actually sent by them. After all, you’re investing in a system that helps you to feel safe, so make sure the process involved in obtaining that system does the same.

Always change the locks if you have someone move out of your home. Whether you just bought your home or someone just moved out that you were living with, this is an important step to any new situation. It’s generally cheap can can take less than a day to do.

Do you live out in the country? If so, you might not be as worried about burglars breaking in as those people in the city are. On a different note, some people believe homeowners in more rural areas are more likely to experience robberies because of the lack of nearby neighbors. Some people think burglaries are less prevalent in rural parts.

Walls can be a great hiding spot. You can hide small valuables in your walls. Just use an unwired electric plug, light switch or phone box. If there are no unused plates, you can easily install fake ones.

If you install a security system, make certain to hide the wires well. An intruder can cut the wires if he can find them. Keep the wires hidden in the walls or underground to keep intruders from getting in. This will help to deter intruders that are looking to quickly disable your alarm system.

It is important to always have fresh batteries and flashlights handy around the house. Flashlights are important for letting you navigate your home in the dark. Train kids how to use the flashlights so that everyone may contribute.

You can hide your valuable items inside your walls. It is not necessary to cut out pieces from your wall. You can find pre-cut areas in your walls that can be used. You could removed the wiring from an electric socket that you aren’t using, and stash jewelry inside it.

If you move to a dwelling that has had prior occupants, make sure you get the locks changed. While you may trust those who lived there before you, you have no idea who lived there before them. You can purchase and install locks yourself to make sure only you have the key.

Make sure to ask for identification for any home security company representative. Many thieves use this tactic to enter a house. This is dangerous for your family and your possessions. Be careful to avoid any potential dangers.

Don’t put your spare key in an obvious place near your front door. While it may seem like a convenient way to give you access to your home, intruders are aware of this practice. Potential burglars know the usual hiding places. A better solution is to give your key to a neighbor you trust.

If you sign a contract for a security company, read all the fine print first. You may find fees appear unexpectedly, including excessive costs for ending your contract early. You want to avoid as many of these fees as you can, so read everything.

Put a surveillance system in your home. A wonderful way to make your home safer is by putting in hidden or visible cameras. Cameras that can be seen are an excellent tool for preventing most burglars from breaking into your home. However, if they are brave enough to try to disable your cameras, hidden cameras will capture them. Some security systems can be accessed with cell phones, so you can check on your house while you are away.

Once you’ve moved to a new house, make it a priority to replace all locks. While the person that previously had the home may seem okay, you don’t know who they actually are. Remember that other families may have lived there before that person as well.

If you purchase a new, pricey electronic like a TV or computer, don’t leave the empty box near your curb. This will show that you have expensive equipment in your home. You should cut up the boxes once you empty them.

Is your street number on your house visible from the street? If you have an emergency, it will be hard for the police to find your house quickly if your numbers are hidden or too small to read. If you notice a problem, you should be able to fix it fairly cheaply, though.

Keep a flashlight with good batteries in every room of your home, just in case you lose power. Having these in an easy to find place will allow you to see in the dark much quicker. Train your kids how to use flashlights so that all members of the family can contribute.

Keep valuables that are irreplaceable secure. Items such as family photos, passports, legal documents, expensive jewelry and financial records need to be placed at a secure location. Purchase a safe with a lock to store all of these items. You can also rent out a safety deposit box.

Rather than hoping for the best, you need to be realistic. Things happen all the time, so preparation is key. The tips here will help you create a safe place for your family.

Ask for ID before letting anyone into your home. Posing as a security professional is an excellent way for an experienced thief to get inside your house and plan a less-friendly return visit. This situation presents danger to your home, family and belongings. Act cautiously to avoid potential dangers.