Misfortune may strike at any time. Don’t neglect the safety of your home, yourself and your family. Continue reading this article to help you keep your home safe from those criminals.

When you buy a new home, be sure to have the locks changed. You have no clue how many people were given keys by the former owner. To make sure you have the only access to the home, hire a locksmith. You should also do this if your keys ever get lost.

Always make your house appear to be occupied. Use timers to make electronic devices and lights turn on and off at intervals. This will make it look like someone is home. This is an excellent method for avoiding burglary and keeping your home secure.

Don’t give the keys to your home to a professional cleaner unless you trust them completely. Be sure any home cleaner you give your key to is trustworthy and reputable. One way to do this is to check their references. If you’re hiring from a company, call the BBB for more information.

Do you have an outdoor dog? Using Fido to hide your spare key can be a clever trick. Attach the key inside their collar and make sure it can’t be seen. 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.

Be very cautious about entrusting a maid service with a key to your home. Make sure they are honest, reputable and hardworking. Do a background check on them. If the cleaner has been sent by a company, call the Better Business Bureau to check on the company’s reputation.

Setting off an alarm during a burglary is just one of the valuable functions a good security system can perform. Some give offer the option to monitor all entries into the house. This isn’t just for burglars; parents with young children can also use it as a valuable tool to know when their child has come inside.

Keep your most precious belongings inside a safe. Doing so can protect your valuables in the event of a robbery. The safe should be kept hidden in a basement or attic.

Good home security systems sound a loud alarm when breached, and that’s not all. Many can be set for sounding their alarm if anyone enters. This is important if you have small kids.

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. Preventing a fire hazard is one of the safest precautions that you can take due to the level of destruction that it can cause.

Unfortunately, burglars can be extremely unpredictable. As a result, knowing when your home may be targeted can be difficult. You can do a lot more to protect your home and your family than just hope it doesn’t happen to you. You want to keep learning more about home security to keep your home safe.

Be smart about where you decide to hide spare keys. Intruders will think to look on the top if a door frame and under a doormat. Try hiding your key somewhere more unique, like your outside dog’s collar.