Lots of people realize the importance of home security, but not everyone possesses lots of knowledge of it. It’s possible to protect your home if you know what information to study. Read on for some helpful tips that you can use to secure your home.

Protect your spare key by using your dog. If your dog lives outside or is able to come and go through a dog door, this is a viable idea. Simply attach a spare key to your dog’s collar (in a secure and non-visible place, of course) so that you’ll be able to retrieve it if you need it.

Why not give your trusted dog the job of holding onto your spare key? Outdoor dogs or pet doors make this possible. Put a key on the dog’s collar so you have access to it when necessary!

When you buy a new house, change the locks. It’s important to know everyone who has a key to your home. To make sure you’re the only person that can get into your home, contact a locksmith. If you lose keys, make sure to do this, too.

Change all of your locks when you move in. You have no way of knowing how many folks might have keys to your house. Having a locksmith replace the locks will ensure that no strangers have a key. If you lose your keys, you should do the same thing.

Buy a safe for very valuable items in the house so you can keep them inside a single location. You can’t have your valuable personal items and jewelry out in the open for anyone to see. Conceal the safe in an out-of-the-way and not easily accessible spot, such as an attic or a basement area.

Do not let people you don’t know in your house. Even people who claim to need help may be out to harm you. Some folks will enter to scout for security systems, and upon seeing you lack one, will resolve to return at a later time.

Shop around when looking for a good home security system. Different companies can provide equivalent levels of service and security, but their prices can vary wildly. Before choosing which company to go with, ask for quotes from a minimum of three companies.

Talk to the police department in your area to see what safety programs they have. Many police departments will offer expert advice, arrange inspections, sponsor neighborhood watches, and help you mark and register your valuables. Talk with local police to see if they offer these programs.

Hide your spare key in a place where no one would think to look for it. It is very common for homeowners to hide them under a mat or above the framing of their door, and intruders know this. Try hiding the key in your outside dog’s collar.

Store your car in the garage if you have it. Keeping the car in the garage can keep thieves from vandalizing or stealing it. Hiding it will help to deter people from tracking the times you aren’t there.

Get roofing, flooring and ceilings that are fire resistant. These materials will protect your home from both internal fires and the spread of fires that start on other properties. Because of the amount of damage fires can cause, it is important to protect your home from them.

You have a choice on who installs your security system, don’t be afraid to say no if something doesn’t feel right. If you don’t feel comfortable with the technician, don’t allow them access to your home. You can decide to use a different company, or ask for a different person to install it. The point of that system is to feel safer after all.

If you have a lot of unfamiliar people on you social networking accounts, avoid letting everyone know you will be going on vacation. Although it’s fun to talk about, posting it online makes it more possible for criminals to find out when you’re gone.

Get creative and hide valuables inside your walls. Don’t make it obvious by cutting out big chunks of drywall. Take a closer look at your walls and note just how many access points there are already. How about unwiring your electric socket and using that as an area to stash your jewelry?

Seek recommendations from friends and family when choosing a security company or system. This will help you to reduce the stress that you have on your search for a good one. By asking around, you will gain information about the pros and cons of a variety of options.

Even if you only plan to be gone for a very short time, lock your house. It may be shocking, but many home invasions and burglaries occur by intruders walking through the front door that was left open. It can be a quick job for a burglar to steal items of great value.

If you will be vacationing for an extended period of time, turn off the ringer on all the phones in your house. A burglar might hear your phone ring and ring and ring, then realize that you are not home to answer it.

Change all of the locks in your new residence. Although the person you purchased the house from might seem good, you really have no clue as to who they really are. Remember that different families might have dwelt there before this person.

Do not invite strangers into your home. Remember that intruders have a lot of experience with tricking people. It’s quite possible that your charming guest is only interested in evaluating the security of your home; if they find it lacking, they may be back later to relieve you of some of your possessions.

If you are entering a house that has already been occupied, you should first change your locks. Although other tenants might not have a key anymore, they could have copied it. You can install locks yourself to make sure you’re the only one who has a key.

Check out your garage to ensure that it is secure. Lots of people are afraid that burglars will be able to break into their garage, which will result in them breaking into the home. Thankfully, you can prevent this. However, you can use a C-clamp to help keep the door secure.

One relatively inexpensive way to add an extra layer of protection to your home is to install motion sensor lights for the exterior of your home. In the evening, lights will help keep your home safe, and will add little in the way of extra expense. Positioned correctly, these lights can make it impossible for intruders to get on your property undetected.

During the summer, remove all vegetation and dead wood from your yard. This can be a fire hazard, especially if you live in an area with high heat. Make sure your yard is clean for the sake of your safety – and that of your family!

Look online for a reputable home security business. Review the websites of several companies and play close attention to the types of services offered and the customer reviews. After narrowing down your top five choices, you can then take the next step by contacting each one.

People in rural areas are not usually as worried about burglaries as people in cities. Due to the distance between neighbors, some think rural areas are more likely to have intruders. Not everyone believes this, though.

What do you need to personally feel safe? Security systems are a proven method of reducing your chance of break-ins, but it is not always the right choice. Some neighborhoods feel more safe than others, but a good security system definitely makes you feel more safe. Be sure to assess the risk level you face before making big decisions.

Skylights should be secure. Skylights are a wonderful addition to any home, but they also tend to be weak spots that intruders take advantage of. Any skylights in your home should be secured with strong hardware.

A wireless security system could be a good option. It may cost less to get a wired system; however, rewiring to accommodate the system may be difficult. Additionally, power outages may negatively impact your system. The wireless systems are simpler to maintain and install and they don’t need power from the home to run.

Whenever you move to a new dwelling, make certain to get each lock replaced. Though you may not suspect that the seller is up to something, you still need to be careful. Aside from that, other people lived in the home even before the ones from whom you purchased the home.

Most people know that home security is vital to the protection of the home and family. But, many people are unaware of what it takes to protect their home and what is inside of it. Fortunately, everything you’ve read should help you to overcome these challenges.

You need flashlights and plenty of batteries in each room just in case your power ever goes out. This is important for you to be able to see should your power go out or you suffer an emergency. Make sure your whole family knows where to find them and how to operate them.