To make educated decisions regarding the security of your home, you need to have a grasp on all the information available. Decisions in this area are too important to be taken lightly. Instead, focus on what is going to provide the safety and security that you want for you and your family.

Your dog can keep your spare house key for you. But, this is only effective if your home has a pet door or your dog stays outdoors when you are not home. Just hide a spare house key on the inside of your dog’s collar. Then when you need an extra key, you will be able to access this one.

Spare Key

Purchase a safe to lock all of the extremely valuable items in your home in one place. This will help to keep your jewelry and other valuables secured in the event of a break in. Keep your safe in your basement or attic to make it hard to find.

Your dog can actually safeguard a spare key. Really this works only if you have a pet door or if your dog is an outdoor dog. Store a spare key within your dogs collar so you always have access to your home.

Remember to have an annual inspection of your home security system. Ask someone who works at the security company to do a maintenance check. There are quite a few things that can negatively impact the effectiveness of home security equipment. For example, adverse weather conditions or pests such as raccoons can cause problems. You might be unaware of problems that arise in some cases.

Only provide your house cleaner with a key if you trust him or her implicitly. If you plan to give them a key so they can clean in your home while you are away, ensure they are reputable and honest. One way to do this is to check their references. If the cleaner is from a firm, try calling the local BBB to find out about the firm’s reputation.

You need to change our locks as your first step to ensuring your safety. 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 is pretty cheap and the job won’t take more than a few hours.

Does your dog like to play in your yard? Your dog is an excellent place to hide your spare key. Put it on their collar. If you have a pet that does not trust strangers, this can help you get into your house if needed.

When dealing with companies that install home security systems, it’s important to trust your gut. This is especially true if you are uneasy with those who are installing the actual system. Never be afraid to ask for a new installer or to get an entirely new firm. The point of having a security system is to make yourself feel at ease.

Do not let people you don’t know in your house. Even if someone has a good story, requires help or has a great product to sell, ignore them. These people might want to actually do you harm or could be casing out your house for a future break-in.

The walls of your home make for great hiding spots. If you need to protect expensive items in your home, put them inside the walls. All you have to do is place them behind any unused phone jack, electrical outlet or switch plate. If you use all of them, you can always have fake ones installed.

If you’ve got a garage, make sure to use it for your car rather than extra storage space. Keeping the car in the garage can keep thieves from vandalizing or stealing it. Keeping your car out of sight is also good for thwarting burglars’ attempts to determine when you are likely to be away from home.

Do not place your spare keys under your mat or even in plant boxes. These are the first places criminals will look when they try to enter your home. Any thief knows all the typical hiding spots. If you have a neighbor you can trust, have them hold your extra key.

Use motion sensor lights. The motion sensors turn on the lights whenever anyone approaches your home. They will signal movement to you but will also serve as deterrents to the thieves. Replace bulbs regularly and check the sensors once a month.

Criminals often pick houses where they can see the valuables inside. Large front windows are great, but they also allow others to peer into your home. Keep your windows covered and your belongings private.

A skylight is another area that needs to be protected for home security. Skylights have a good function, but unfortunately they also often provide a way for a burglar to enter. Your skylights should have strong components that can withstand tampering.

Don’t allow the wires of your home security system to be visible to others. A burglar will simply cut the wires if he can see them. Don’t make it easier for them, so have wires hidden in the house’s walls or buried. This way, you will be safer.

You should always lock up your house, even if you’re only planning to be gone for a short time. Most real-world burglars aren’t master lock-breakers; they simply stroll in through a door left carelessly unlocked. A burglar can steal a lot of expensive stuff in a short amount of time.

Are you aware of the value of your home’s wires? Many people are not aware of this until they are stolen from their home. Copper is expensive and most wiring is composed of it, so stripping it is a great way for crooks to make a quick buck. Be sure to hide your wires or make sure they are hard to get to.

When you purchase big, expensive items be sure to break down the boxes and take them to the recycling center yourself. They show the world you have money and lots of valuables inside.

If someone from the security company comes to your home, ask to see their ID before allowing them in. 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 means peril for what you own as well as your loved ones. Be careful to avoid this sort of danger.

When moving into a previously owned home, change the locks. While you may trust those who lived there before you, you have no idea who lived there before them. Find a reliable locksmith who can replace the locks or do it yourself.

The most useful tool for finding home security is the Internet. Look at many websites and read customer reviews about the various services. Once you have selected a few potential home security providers, set appointments to interview them and find out what they have on offer.

Now that you have read these tips, you should know more about home security. Do not make home security decisions without knowledge. Keep in mind that your decisions will affect the safety of your home and family. Be sure and remember what you have learned here.

Consider home security and safety when you are planning your landscaping. The doors and windows of your home should not be obstructed by trees, fences or shrubs. If criminals know you can see them, they are less likely to break in. Plan these features for further away from your home.