Keeping your family and your home sage is a common concern. Sadly. burglaries are all too common, as are fires and floods. Keep reading to gain useful insight about keeping your house and loved ones out of harm’s way.

Spare Key

Any time you buy a new home, have the locks changed. You have no clue how many people were given keys by the former owner. To make sure you are the sole person with access to the home, engage the services of a locksmith. Do the same thing if you misplace your keys.

Your dog could carry a spare key for you. This will only be ideal if you have a dog door or an outdoor dog. 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.

Once you buy a house, switch out the locks. The previous owners or tenants might have made several copies of the key. To make sure you’re the only person that can get into your home, contact a locksmith. Also, if you ever lose your keys, do the same.

Do you keep your dog outside when you aren’t home? You could let your dog carry a spare key. Put it on your dog’s collar, making sure it is hidden. This is quite effective if your pet does not respond well to strangers.

Buy housing materials that are fire resistant. This adds an extra layer of protection to your home, especially if you live in a very dry area with power lines. Lowering or eliminating the risk of a fire is an extremely important home security strategy because a fire can cause extreme destruction very quickly.

If your social networking accounts are filled with folks you do not really know, do not announce vacations on the sites. It’s natural to be excited about your trip, but this is as good as throwing out the welcome mat for people who know your home is unoccupied.

Do not open your door for strangers. People you do not know could have bad intentions or want to get an idea of how many valuable objects you own. Make sure everyone in your house knows not to open the door unless they know the person standing outside.

Don’t open your door for strangers. People are coming up with all sorts of ways to convince people to open their door to them, with the intent of committing burglary or worse. Make a house rule forbidding anyone to open the door for an unexpected visitor.

Security System

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. Using a C-clamp on the garage door will prevent it from opening by staying on the door’s track.

Remember to have an annual inspection of your home security system. Make certain the security company you choose provides for regular inspections. Wild animals or plain old nature can wreak havoc on your home security system. It’s quite possible for there to be a fault in your system even if you can’t see it.

Place your valuables in cut-outs in your walls. It’s not necessary to cut out parts of your wall to do this. Many spots are already cut that can be used for this purpose. Why not take the guts out of an electrical socket you’re not using? You can convert it into a convenient and covert little wall safe.

Talk to the police department in your area to see what safety programs they have. They often offer home inspections, seminars and even the ability to purchase items. Call them up to find out more.

Moving into an apartment or home that you’ve lived in should involve changing the locks first to maker them safer. Though the prior occupant may have relinquished their keys, there may be copies out there. This will help safeguard that there is no one else with your key.

Be sure to read all of the fine print to any contracts you plan on signing for a security company. There might be hidden costs or other things you should know about. Avoid nasty charges or fees regarding early termination, contract expiration and additional features or equipment.

Changing your locks first can help make your home much more secure. Perhaps your roommate left town or you have gone through a messy divorce, and you need to feel that the home is safe. It is usually inexpensive and can be done in less than 24 hours.

If you have your home brightly lit, burglars are likely to avoid it. They do not desire to be seen. Thieves have a hard time stealing things when there are lots of lights around. Have lights that come on when they detect movement for best results.

Due to the numerous threats that can damage a home, it is important for every homeowner to do all they can to ensure their home’s safety. This piece is replete with useful tips on safeguarding any home. Apply what you have learned to feel more secure in your home.

Don’t think you’re not at risk just because you don’t live in a big city. There are some who believe country folk are more at risk because neighbors are not nearby. Some think rural areas see less burglary.