Safety is paramount when you own your own home. Few feelings are worse than seeing your house damaged or, worse, destroyed. Besides being a valuable possession in its own right, your home is also the stage upon which you live your life. Go over this article for more details on home security.

Be sure your home appears to always be occupied. You can buy timers to have radios, TVs, lights and other electronics go off and on at different times. This makes it look as though people are home no matter what. That means burglars will pass right by.

A good security system has many more features than sounding the alarm during a break-in. Modern systems are often capable of detecting any open door or window and announcing that fact. This can be useful if you’ve got small children that are able to open doors.

You can hide your spare key on your dog. This is only true if yours in an outdoor dog, or your house is equipped with a doggie door. Latch the key on his collar and voila–you have a spare key available!

Your friends may have some great advice for choosing the right company. Other people will probably have personal experience with these companies that are either good or bad. They can share their experiences with you, which will greatly assist you in making the best decision. Spending a few days asking for reviews is useful in helping you choose correctly.

Always change the locks after moving into a new home. The person who previously owned the home may have made copies of keys. Contact a locksmith to make sure that only you have access to your home. Also, you can contact a locksmith if you ever misplace your keys.

Don’t let any person you don’t completely know into your house. Even people who claim to need help may be out to harm you. Some criminals will come in, case your house and then come back when you are away.

Buy a safe so you can conceal your valuables in it. If an intruder breaks into your home, at least these valuables will be secure. Conceal the safe in an out-of-the-way and not easily accessible spot, such as an attic or a basement area.

Remove old plants and debris from your yard. These items have a higher chance of catching fire during the hot months. Keep your yard clear of debris to keep your house safe.

Don’t let people into your home unless you know them. Even if this stranger has a believable story or is trying to sell you something, do not let them in. 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.

Changing the locks is a fundamental part of adding security to the home. If you have boarders, former live-in partners, or others who once had access to your home, this is especially important. Changing locks is not very expensive and should be done within a few hours.

See what the local police offer when it comes to home protection programs. Many police departments offer programs that can include home inspections, home security training and more. If your police department does not offer these programs, find a private security company.

Walls are a great hiding spot for your valuables. If you own small valuables that require protection, try hiding them in the walls. You can use the opening provided by an electrical switch plate or other device that is not being used. If you have no unused plates, you can easily install false ones.

Use your garage for what it was intended: your car. Keeping your car in your house will deter intruders from vandalizing or stealing it. Hiding the car from plain sight can keep possible intruders from figuring out when you’re home and also when you are not.

Hide your security system’s wiring. You do not want the wires exposed for easy manipulation. To provide maximum security, wiring should be laid underground or installed safely within the walls of your house. This helps keep you and your family safe.

When dealing with companies that install home security systems, it’s important to trust your gut. This is especially important when it comes to the company employees who will be installing your system. If you are unsure, contact the security company to make sure that the installer was actually sent by them. Do some background research on the company you select, and look for people who make you feel safe.

If you have any boxes to discard from large, expensive items, wait until the evening before the trash is scheduled for collection. Having these boxes nearby can tell robbers what kind of merchandise you’ve got in your house.

Avoid placing spare keys under door mats or in plant boxes. While you may need to prepare if you have a spare key, it is wise to choose ways that do not increase the risk of a criminal gaining entrance to your home. Burglars are well aware of these hiding places. Try having your trustworthy neighbors hold spare keys.

Do you know how valuable the wires within your home are? Lots of people don’t know this until their wires are stolen. Copper wiring is quite valuable, and it’s quick and easy for criminals to strip it right off the outside of your house! In order to protect yourself from this risk, make sure wires on your house are difficult to find and hard to access.

Make certain no one can see your valuable belongings through windows and doors. Large windows let in a lot of light, but they also allow outsiders to see inside your living space. If your windows face a street, be sure they’re always covered and have your valuables safe.

When allowing a representative from any security company to enter your home, look for someone in uniform and ask to see an identification. Thieves can pass themselves as workers, which can end up in a robbery of your home. This is dangerous to your valuables and your family. Be very careful with who you let into your home.

When moving into a house, ensure that each lock has been replaced. Regardless of how trustworthy you consider the last owners to be, neither you nor they can be sure that there aren’t others out there with keys to those locks. Remember that other families may have lived there before that person as well.

Keeping your house safe is not a difficult feat. Starting with a great knowledge is key. Utilize these great ideas in order to maximize the security of your home. Don’t neglect anything you read here. Make your home as safe as possible.

After moving into a pre-owned apartment or home, change the locks. They previous occupants may have made copies of the keys. You can change the locks yourself if you’re feeling really industrious.