Making sure your home is secure seems a huge task. You do not have to make it an expensive endeavor. Keep reading for some cost-effective methods for securing your home.

Put your spare key on your dog. This only makes sense if your dog is outdoors a lot or you have a pet 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!

If you will be gone for an extended period, turn the ringers off on all telephones in the home. Intruders might be attracted by a phone that rings constantly without anyone picking up.

When you buy a new home, be sure to have the locks changed. The previous owners or tenants might have made several copies of the key. To make sure you’re the only person that can get into your home, contact a locksmith. Also, if you ever lose your keys, do the same.

Don’t open your door for strangers. Nowadays, thieves are creative when thinking of ways to get homeowners to open a door and let them in. Never open the door to anyone you do not know.

You should only provide a house cleaner your key if you completely trust them. Make sure you know they are legitimate before giving out the key. Go over their references and do some background research on the company they work for. If you are using a cleaning firm, make sure it has an excellent Better Business Bureau rating.

In the summertime, you should rid your yard of dead bushes and vegetation. These could catch on fire during the summer, especially if you live in a dry area. Make sure your yard is clean for the sake of your safety – and that of your family!

It’s important to shop around before you settle on the right security system for your home. You would be surprised to see that the prices are much different for each company, even though it’s for the same type of protection. Make sure to obtain quotes from a minimum of three companies prior to deciding on a final one.

See what the local police offer when it comes to home protection programs. Home inspections or engraving identifiers can help protect you. Get in touch with the department to determine their offerings.

Buy ceiling, roofing and flooring which is resistant to fire. These materials will protect your home from both internal fires and the spread of fires that start on other properties. Fire prevention is paramount.

After moving into a pre-owned apartment or home, change the locks. You do not want anyone to have a copy of the key. You can purchase the locks and install them yourself to ensure you’re the only person that has a key.

Consider the advice of your friends when selecting your home security company. You can learn a lot from people who have already dealt with these companies. Do your research; it will help you make a good decision in the end.

Before letting someone from a security company into a house, get some sort of official identification. Many thieves use this tactic to enter a house. This leads to danger. Proceed with caution.

Avoid opening the door if you don’t know who is standing on the other side. There are people who are going to be convincing, but they can just be professional thieves. Enforce a rule within your house that no one opens the door to unexpected people.

Keeping the home illuminated during evening hours helps keep criminals away. They don’t want anyone to see them. Making your home’s exterior nice and bright will make it impossible for crooks to go undetected. Keep the lights on when it’s dark.

Get creative and hide valuables inside your walls. You don’t have to damage the walls to do so. There are lots of places around the home that have pre-cut areas that you can use. For instance, consider using an electricity socket that is unused, and stash your precious jewelry in there.

Always enlist the powers of online research to help you make a smart choice when it comes to home security companies. Check out reviews you find on the web. With this information, you can contact the companies you feel comfortable with and compare the rates to each other.

No one should be able to see your valuables from outside. It may be great to have large windows with a view, but this means that people can look in. Keep your windows covered and your belongings private.

With these quality tips for home security, you can do a better job of securing your house. Alter your home for maximum security. Soon, the home will feel safer every time of day. You should now be able to sit back and relax.

Lock up your house every time you leave. Most real-world burglars aren’t master lock-breakers; they simply stroll in through a door left carelessly unlocked. A thief can take plenty of valuables in minutes.