How safe do you really feel in your home? The best way to know how to truly protect your home and its contents is to study the subject as comprehensively as you can. Continue reading in order to find great stuff on how to assure your safety.

Do you keep your dog outside if you leave the home? Your dog is an excellent place to hide your spare key. Attach the key to the dog’s collar so that it is hidden from view. This works especially well as storage if your pet isn’t too fond of strangers.

Your home should always look like it is occupied. Buy timers that will make your TVs, radios and other electronics turn on and turn off at various times. This will give your home the appearance of someone being there. This will help safeguard your house to the best of your ability.

Some home security systems have additional security features besides sounding an alarm to deter a burglar. They often even alert you to any time a door is opened. This can be useful if you’ve got small children that are able to open doors.

When looking to buy a security system, shop around. Prices can differ a lot among companies for the same type of protection. Get three quotes or more before making a choice.

It is a good idea to replace all the locks on the new home you buy. There is no telling how many key copies were made and given out by a previous owner. Having a locksmith replace the locks will ensure that no strangers have a key. You should also have your locks changed if you lose your keys.

Don’t just hide your spare key anywhere. Too many people put their extra key under the mat in front of their door; burglars know to check there. An example would be to attach a key to your dog’s collar, if he stays outdoors.

If your social networking accounts are filled with folks you do not really know, do not announce vacations on the sites. Potential intruders could get a good idea of when you will be gone by monitoring what you share on social networks.

If someone comes to clean your home, only give them a key if they’re trustworthy. Before you give a cleaner full access to your home for extended periods of time, you have to be certain that they’re trustworthy and reliable. Check their references very carefully. If the cleaner has been sent by a company, call the Better Business Bureau to check on the company’s reputation.

If you’re going on a trip for an extended period of time, switch the ringer off on all home phones. If the phone continues to ring while you’re gone, this lets an intruder know that the home is empty.

During the summer, remove all vegetation and dead wood from your yard. As it gets hotter, the chances of these igniting and putting your house at risk increase. Clear up your yard so it looks good and is safe.

When you’re picking out home security equipment and services, don’t forget to ask your friends and family for help. This will help you to reduce the stress that you have on your search for a good one. Taking a little time to listen can make you a much better decision maker when it comes to home security.

Security System

You should regularly check your home security system, regardless of how reliable you believe it is. Ask someone from your security company to come over and have a look. Many different things can make problems for your security system. You might be unaware of problems that arise in some cases.

Be sure to secure your attached garage. Many people are concerned about people entering their garages to gain access to their homes. If your garage lifts up on a track, try using a C-clamp. This will prevent your door from opening up if the clamp is close to its roller.

It’s a good idea to have motion sensor lights installed. These kinds of lights will pop right on when they detect motion near your home. Not only will they notify you of movement, they will also deter potential burglars, as thieves want to remain as inconspicuous as possible. Just remember that you must change the bulbs often in order to keep the lights working in order.

Don’t allow the wires of your home security system to be visible to others. One of the ways an intruder can get around a security system is by disconnecting or cutting the wires. Make it hard for intruders and bury the wires or hide them inside your walls, if possible. Your safety will increase.

There’s no security system so durable that it can go without regular maintenance and inspections. Have yours checked out once a year. Ask someone from your security company to come over and have a look. Wild animals or plain old nature can wreak havoc on your home security system. If you aren’t paying attention, you may not be aware of these problems.

Are you aware of the value present in the wiring in your home? This is something few homeowners realize until they become victims of wiring theft. The copper in the wiring is valuable and can be stripped off of the outside of the home in a relevantly short period of time. Hide the wiring and make it harder to access to prevent this from happening.

The vital importance of home security is something upon which most people can agree. Not all people understand how to truly protect their homes and personal property. Hopefully, this article has given you some useful hints about securing your home.

Do not be shy. Get to know other people who live next door and others in your neighborhood. Watch their houses, and ask if they’d do the same. It does not necessarily pay to steer clear of gossip. It is often a good way to find out about security issues, such as strangers in the neighborhood.