Maintaining the security and integrity of your home is surely something you take very seriously as a homeowner and something that you refuse to let fall through the cracks. Unfortunately, when it comes to this topic, knowing where to begin can be confusing. This article provides some valuable advice that can help lead you down a path to a more secure home.

Look for ways to make your home seem occupied. Buy timers so that lights, radios, TVs and all other electronics turn on and off at various times. This helps to create the illusion that someone is presently at home. This is a simple way to improve your home’s safety and make it less attractive to criminals.

Make your house look occupied all the time. Buy timers so things will go on and off at different times. This way it will always look as if someone is home, even when you are away. This is just one of the many precautions you can take to secure your home.

Your dog can actually safeguard a spare key. However, this method is only effective if your dog is large, scary, and stays outdoors. You could simply put a key onto your dog’s collar, so it is always handy.

Some home security systems have additional security features besides sounding an alarm to deter a burglar. Many systems can alert you whenever anyone has entered your home. It’s a great feature for parents as they can tell if a child is potentially leaving the house.

It is crucial that you change the locks as soon as you move into a new residence. You don’t know who might have a key. Find a good locksmith who can replace the lock and make a few copies of your key. Also, you can contact a locksmith if you ever misplace your keys.

When you decide to purchase a home alarm system, make sure you comparison shop. Some companies offer comparable levels of protection that can be priced very differently. Get a quote from several companies before making a final decision.

Don’t post information about an upcoming vacation anywhere on the web. This can indicate that your home will be free and vulnerable during the time.

Clear away all the dead and dried out vegetation around your home in the summer. This sort of thing is a fire hazard in the heat of summer. Keeping your plants and bushes trimmed will benefit your family’s safety as well as the appearance of your home.

Never allow any strangers into your home. Even if they tell you a sob story about needing help, this warning remains true. Some criminals will come in, case your house and then come back when you are away.

Security System

Don’t let strangers into your home. Criminals find ways to get people to open doors so they can commit crimes. Make it mandatory that doors in your home are only opened for expected visitors.

It is important that you check your home security system periodically, at least once a year. The security company should have a specialist come to look at it. There are many reason why a home security system can have problems, and it might be the weather or wild animals that cause it to malfunction. You might be unaware of problems that arise in some cases.

Be sure you have secured your attached garage. Some people are concerned about burglars entering through an attached garage. A C clamp helps for garage doors on a track. The clamp actually keeps the door closed if tightened close to the track roller.

Use motion sensors on exterior lighting. These are lights that turn on whenever any living thing gets too close to your home. They will signal movement to you but will also serve as deterrents to the thieves. Test the bulbs frequently, though.

Rid the outside of your home from dead wood, vegetation and overgrowth during the summertime. As the summer heat rolls in, there is a higher chance that these can catch on fire, putting your home at risk. Be sure all sorts of flammable items are kept under control around your home.

Skylights need to be secure, too. Skylights have a good function, but unfortunately they also often provide a way for a burglar to enter. Make sure your skylights have reliable, heavy duty hardware in place.

Make sure to have your home inspection system maintained on at least an annual basis. A security professional should visit to help with the testing process. There are quite a few things that can negatively impact the effectiveness of home security equipment. For example, adverse weather conditions or pests such as raccoons can cause problems. There are always ways your home is vulnerable, even if you don’t know it.

Purchase an alarm system that has a few “bells and whistles;” you don’t just need protection for your doors. The best systems are those that cover windows as well. Make sure you have a monitored alarm on every one of them. This is the pinnacle of safety.

Your risks of being the target of home intruders really doesn’t depend on the area in which you live. On a different note, some people believe homeowners in more rural areas are more likely to experience robberies because of the lack of nearby neighbors. That said, stranger things have happened.

When hiring a home security company, make sure to read the fine print on the contract you are signing. There could be fees for terminating the contract early or acquiring additional equipment down the road. These are costs you’ll want to avoid.

Hide your valuables in the walls. This is a great way to hide jewelry, for example. Just open up an electrical outlet or a phone jack that is not in use. You can also install a fake one.

Never enter your house if the door is open or something doesn’t feel right. Your home and the area surrounding it may still be in danger. Instead, you should call 911 and wait in a safe location for the police to arrive.

Purchase an alarm system that has a few “bells and whistles;” you don’t just need protection for your doors. Burglars often enter through windows as well. You want a security system that monitors all your windows and doors. This is just one more thing you can do to protect your home.

If you want peace in your life, you must keep your home secure. About this, there can be little doubt. Take what you’ve learned here, and use it to keep your home secure and your family safe.

Make sure no one can look inside your garage. Add some frosted glass panes to your windows to keep strangers from looking inside. Also, avoid leaving the door open for prolonged periods of time.