Don’t turn a blind eye to the security of your home. Take stock of the reality of your situation and make an informed decision. However, knowing the right security steps to take is not easy. The piece below is sure to offer the direction you need.

Why not give your trusted dog the job of holding onto your spare key? But, this is only effective if your home has a pet door or your dog stays outdoors when you are not home. Latch the key on his collar and voila–you have a spare key available!

If you’re going on a trip for an extended period of time, switch the ringer off on all home phones. If a burglar keeps hearing your phone ring, they’ll know the home is not occupied, making it more likely for a break-in to occur.

Don’t give the keys to your home to a professional cleaner unless you trust them completely. Before you give a cleaner full access to your home for extended periods of time, you have to be certain that they’re trustworthy and reliable. Go over their references and do some background research on the company they work for. If applicable, call the BBB to inquire about their reputation.

You should always park your car inside your garage instead of using your garage to store some belongings. Keeping your car in your house will deter intruders from vandalizing or stealing it. It will also keep any intruders from knowing when you’re home.

Is your dog outside even if you are away? This is a good spot for keeping your spare key. Hook your key to the dog’s collar in a place that is shielded from view. Especially if your dog is not very friendly, this will help keep your key safe.

Be bold. Speak with your neighbors and friends in the area. Keep an eye on their houses and yards and request that they return the favor. Pay attention to gossip as well. Important security details (like the presence of strangers in your neighborhood) can come out of the most innocent conversations.

Don’t let everyone in your social network know that you are leaving the home unprotected for your vacation trip; especially the people who you aren’t familiar with. There may be a thief within this list and you would have been inviting him straight through your front door!

Compared to city dwellers, you might feel more safe in your rural home. There are some who believe country folk are more at risk because neighbors are not nearby. That said, stranger things have happened.

You should never open your door to someone you do not know. Criminals can be endlessly inventive when it comes to generating a convincing story to force their way into your home. No matter how sympathetic the story, remember that it could all be a put-on. Never open the door to anyone you do not know.

Did you know that the wires on your home are valuable? Lots of people fail to appreciate this until they are hit by thieves. Experienced criminals can make a decent amount of money quickly by stripping copper wiring off of houses in order to sell it at a scrapyard. Make sure the wiring is concealed or difficult to access in order to keep this valuable item safe.

The police department in your area may offer a home protection program. Several in various jurisdictions have programs which entail providing a home inspection, what protective measures will help your home and even how to engrave valuable items to make them easier to recover. Get in touch with the department to determine their offerings.

Rotted Wood

Be more proactive when you are determining the safety of your neighborhood. Speak to your neighbors. Keep on eye on their home and ask neighbors to return the favor. Don’t disregard gossip either. You will learn a lot from your neighbors, including details about recent break ins in the area and the shady individuals they noticed.

Replace any wood surrounding your door frame that is rotting. An intruder can simply pry away that rotted wood and enter your home. Replace rotted wood with fresh wood to make your home safer.

Use motion sensor lights. These lights will turn on if anyone walks too closely to your home. This is a good way of knowing who comes near your home and keeps you safe if you ever come home late. Remember that the bulbs need to be changed so that the lights keep working.

Check references before giving anyone access to your home. You need to do background checks in order to find out about their criminal history. You need to be very careful with the contractors, repairmen or maids you trust with being alone in your home.

The fist thing you’ll need to do for home security is to get new locks. Whether an old roommate left or a relationship ended, changing your locks is a good idea. It shouldn’t cost too much, and the process can be completed very quickly.

To stay sane, you must maintain good home security. Your home is your castle, and you should always feel at ease there. The most effective method of doing so, however is not always readily apparent, unless you have spend some time studying the subject, and this article has hopefully offered some tips you can really use.

If you live in a rural area, you may not be as concerned about home break-ins as people who live in the city. There are differences between large cities and homes located in the countryside. Still, there are those who are of the opinion that rural properties are less of a temptation to burglars.