If you own valuable items, such as jewelry, art or money, don’t assume that you’re the only one that knows about it. Protect yourself from a burglar breaking in by improving your home security. To learn more about home security, read on.

Why not give your trusted dog the job of holding onto your spare key? If your dog lives outside or is able to come and go through a dog door, this is a viable idea. You could simply put a key onto your dog’s collar, so it is always handy.

Spare Key

Is your dog kept outside when you are away? Store the spare key with them. The key can be attached to the collar of your dog. This will ensure that burglars cannot see it. If your dog doesn’t like strangers, it’s even better.

Place the spare key that you make on your dog. This is a great idea if your dog is outside all the time, or they can get out through a doggy door. Place a spare key on the collar, and when you really need a spare, you know where to go!

Home security plans have other features along with an alarm that goes off during a break-in. Some give offer the option to monitor all entries into the house. If you have little ones wandering about the house, this makes it easy for you to know if they have come in or gone out.

The only time you should give out house keys to house cleaners is if you absolutely trust them. Make sure you know they are legitimate before giving out the key. It is best to do a reference check on them. If this professional is from a company, it’s best to check with the Better Business Bureau to see what kind of reputation they have.

When you’re picking out home security equipment and services, don’t forget to ask your friends and family for help. They probably have both positive and negative things to tell you, and those comments will help you make your own decision. Making a great choice is important, so this advice will come in handy.

Does your canine stay in the yard while you go out? They may provide you with a useful place to hide your key. Simply put the key onto your dog’s collar so that robbers cannot locate it. If your pet does not get along with strangers, this will ensure your spare key stays safe.

Remember to have an annual inspection of your home security system. Ask the security company to send a technician out to give your system a thorough inspection. Wild animals or plain old nature can wreak havoc on your home security system. You might be unaware of problems that arise in some cases.

Buy a small home safe that you can use to keep your valuables in. You can’t have your valuable personal items and jewelry out in the open for anyone to see. The safe should be situated in an inconspicuous area of your home.

Changing your locks first can help make your home much more secure. Not everyone who leaves your house will leave happy, and a fresh set of locks will protect you from both former residents and acquaintances of your own looking to cause mischief. It’s generally cheap can can take less than a day to do.

Do not invite strangers into your home. Do not give in, even if a person uses a convincing story, asks for help or says they are selling something. Some will come to your door just to determine how secure it is, and they may return later if they think they can easily enter your home.

When moving into your new house, change every lock. Although you may trust the previous homeowner, you cannot be 100% sure of their character. Remember that other families may have lived there before that person as well.

If you have a garage, increase your home security by using it to house your car, rather than just for storage. If your car is in your garage there is less of a chance to vandalize or steal it. Hiding your car away from plain view is a good way to keep intruders from knowing when you are at home or not.

Be sure to replace rotten wood in the frame of your front door. An intruder could pry the rotten wood easily to open the door. Replace this old wood if you want to keep your house safe.

If you live more out in the country, you may think that you’re not at risk. There are some who believe country folk are more at risk because neighbors are not nearby. Others think that rural places have less of a chance of being targets for burglars.

Buy flashlights with strong batteries and make sure there is one in each room in case of power outages. Having a well-charged flashlight on hand is very beneficial in case of emergency. Teach your children how to properly use flashlights.

Walls can be a great hiding spot. This is a great way to hide jewelry, for example. All you need is a wall opening you’re not using (something like a phone jack, electrical box, or switch plate). You can also just put in a false plate to cover a hiding place.

It is a good idea to get some history on any home security companies you are thinking about doing business with. Companies with a long history can give you the best service for many years. You’ll have a lot more confidence in your choice if you stick with a company that has a proven track record.

You can hide certain valuables within your walls. This doesn’t necessarily involve chopping up your walls, either. There are many places in your home that are pre-cut and available. How about unwiring your electric socket and using that as an area to stash your jewelry?

The number on your house should be easy to find. Small or obscured numbers can make it difficult for emergency personnel to locate your home. Luckily, this is a quick and inexpensive fix if you notice that there is a problem.

Purchase an alarm system that has a few “bells and whistles;” you don’t just need protection for your doors. Thieves can easily enter your home through a window. Attach an alarm to every one of them, and make sure all entry points are monitored. This can mean the difference between a safe home and one that is an easy target.

Do not use locks with spring latches. These type of locks can actually be opened by using a credit card. Intruders simply use a credit card inside the latch, making the lock open. A deadbolt can be retrofitted to a door with a spring latch lock if you want to make it more secure.

You want to know what is included in a contract if you’re signing up with a security company. Sometimes, hidden costs can be incurred if you get rid of the service before a certain date. Be aware of these particular fees so you can steer clear of them.

Keep blinds, shades, and curtains closed when you’re not home. You do not want any part of your home visible to the public. If they spot something desirable, they will seek access. Do not forget to close your shades before going to bed.

You should not enter your home if you find the door ajar. This can be quite dangerous because the burglar may still be on your property. Instead, wait outside until the police come, after calling them on your cell phone.

See if your firm gives you the choice of leasing and/or buying security equipment. While you will pay more to buy, you don’t have to keep paying for it month after month. Leasing usually proves cheaper at first, but it comes with strings attached through contracts or continuing fees and charges. Find out which will work best for your needs.

Consider installing a surveillance system. You can have great home security with both hidden and visible video cameras. Visible cameras deter many intruders, but if they disable the cameras that they can see, your hidden camera can record the action. It is possible to use your cell phone to look at your surveillance camera, meaning you can see your house when you’re gone.

If you want to hide your house key, find a spot that is not obvious. It’s easy to see fake rocks. Doormats and rocks in front of the house are too obvious. The best idea is just to ask a friend or neighbor to hang on to a key for you. If you cannot do that, at least find an unusual place to hide the key.

Dogs are among the most effective home burglary systems. Dogs will bark at the sign of trouble or intruders. You do not need a large, vicious guard dog. Even the barking of a tiny dog can repel potential burglars, who want to avoid noises as they carry out their crimes.

Don’t use your birth date as the password for your security alarm. It is easy for anybody to learn your birthday, which makes it easy for them to access the house. Make it a random number that you and your family can commit to memory.

Spring Latch Locks

Hard-wired security systems can be a sound choice. Wireless set-ups need battery changes all the time. If you neglect battery changes, your system won’t work. Additionally, it can be expensive to replace a lot of batteries.

Do not use spring latch locks on your doors. These are very easy to pick by simply using a credit card. They can put the credit card in between the latch and door to open the lock. If you already have spring latch locks, install a deadbolt for added security.

If the window of your living room faces the street, close your curtains at night. It’s best to discourage peeping toms. If possible burglars see your valuables, they may see your home as the next target. Do not grant outsiders a full view of your entire home and your belongings.

Secure your true valuables in an area that is as safe as possible. Items such as family photos, passports, legal documents, expensive jewelry and financial records need to be placed at a secure location. Floor safes are great for keeping these items inside the home. For ultimate security, of course, such items can be kept in an off-site location like a bank’s safe deposit boxes.

A home alarm system is a terrific investment, but make sure someone is there to call the cops if it happens to go off. Get an alarm that automatically notifies the police. After all, your neighbors might not make that call just because they hear your alarm.

Ask your security company if they offer motion sensitive lighting. Lots of companies will provide this feature. Motion sensitive lighting causes your home’s outside lights to turn on whenever anyone gets too close. Motion sensitive lighting can scare off an intruder and allow you to safely enter your home.

A sliding glass door can make your home less secure. They can be simply unlocked with a lift and a shake. If your security system is not connected to the doors, cut a board or pipe the exact length of the door channel, and drop it in the space to secure the doors. This holds the door firmly in position. Even if the lock is broken, the door will still be held closed.

Never assume that burglars won’t target your home. Be prepared. You don’t have to live your life in fear, but you should take some preventative measures. Keep these tips in mind to boost your home security, so that you can keep your family and home safe.

Neighborhood gossip does not always have to be tedious and immature. If there is someone lurking around your house, your neighbors can be your eyes when you are not home. Being friendly will make them more likely to alert you right away.