Even though home security means a great deal to virtually every homeowner, many of them are woefully under educated on the subject. To really know how to protect your house along with its contents, learn all you can about the subject. Keep reading to get some useful advice on making your home safe.

If you need to leave a key for a maid service, make sure that that whoever cleans your house is professional and trustworthy. If you do give your housekeeper a key or plan on doing so, it is imperative that they are honest and upstanding. All references should be checked. If applicable, call the BBB to inquire about their reputation.

Your dog can safeguard an extra key. This will come in handy if your dog is outdoors most of the time or if it can go outside through a pet door. Attach the spare key to your dog’s collar. By doing this, you have a handy spare key whenever you need it.

Hide your spare key in a place where no one would think to look for it. Intruders will more than likely check under your doormat or above your door frame. Rather, think about putting a key on your outside dog’s collar.

Make your home safer by storing your car inside the garage. Keep the car within the garage will make sure no one harms or steals it. When it is in hiding, people won’t know if you’re home.

Only provide your house cleaner with a key if you trust him or her implicitly. If they will be there over an hour and you are thinking of giving them your home key, be certain they are honest, reputable and hard-working. Make sure you check references. If you’re hiring from a company, call the BBB for more information.

Put motion sensor lights around your house. The lights will be triggered when someone gets too close to the house. This lets you know something is moving and also drives off criminals. Just remember to change out the bulbs every so often so the lights remain in working order.

Go with your instincts when choosing a security system company. This goes for the installer, too. There is nothing wrong with asking for a different technician if you’re uneasy. Security is supposed to give you peace of mind after all!

Home security systems have different kinds of features that can sound an alarm when someone breaks into your house. Many can be set for sounding their alarm if anyone enters. Parents of children can track their kids this way.

If your home isn’t new, replace the locks. The previous tenant or owner may not have the keys, but you don’t know if they made copies for themselves or others. Find a reliable locksmith who can replace the locks or do it yourself.

Prior to allowing access to anyone, make sure you are shown proper identification. Try doing a background check to look at their criminal history. It is impossible to know if the newly hired maid or one time repairman might be a crook unless you check them out. Providing them with your key might be the biggest mistake you’ve ever made.

Don’t open your door if a stranger is on the other side. People often think of ways to trick others into letting them in so they can steal from them. Make a house rule forbidding anyone to open the door for an unexpected visitor.

The Internet is your friend when searching for a home security company, so you should use it wisely. Browse through different websites and seek out customer reviews about different services and packages. Then, you can set appointments to make price and service comparisons before you choose.

You want the security company to actually come to your house and install the system according to your needs. Every house and every family will produce a unique set of security concerns that are best addressed with tailor-made security arrangements. If there is a company that can come up with a customized plan, you will get what you really need.

Your home security system ought to be checked each year. Get a professional in to check it out. A number of factors can cause problems with your security system, including wild animals and mother nature. The problem might not be obvious to you, though.

Keep your home’s exterior well lit. Burglars love to operate in the dark. You should put a light on any area where a person could break in. This extends to doorways, porches, garages and lower windows.

Consider installing a surveillance system. Adding video cameras on the property can be a good idea. Visible cameras can scare intruders, and hidden ones can catch them in the act. Many surveillance systems can even be accessed via cell phone, allowing you to check up on your home when you are away.

Be sure to secure the skylights to your home. Skylights are nice to bring extra light into your house, but they are also easy ways for burglars to enter your home. Check that skylights have heavy duty hardware that can stand up under unwanted tampering.

Make sure that your garage is not visible from the outside in. Cover your windows in frosting, which can be bought at big box hardware stores, so people can’t peek inside. Keep your garage door closed as often as possible, too.

Dogs are an excellent way to protect your home. Dogs are very protective of their turf and usually make noises when something is amiss. A common misconception, though, is that you have to have a large animal to be safe. Little dogs can also make big noise, which is the main thing that burglars care about.

Don’t put extra keys under doormats or in planters. Though you may think you are giving yourself a way into your home if you lose your key, you are actually inadvertently inviting intruders into your home. Thieves are aware of these hiding spots. Rather, give the key to a neighbor to hold.

Do not store your car registration documents in your glove compartment. If someone breaks into your car, that person can view your registration and instantly know where you reside. Hold these documents in person so you know where they are at all times. Remember, you do need to be able to access them quickly if you get pulled over by a policeman.

If you turn lights off and on at the same hours each day, you should use a timer. A timer is very convenient and will give the impression that your home is occupied if you have to go away over extended periods of time.

If you have any boxes to discard from large, expensive items, wait until the evening before the trash is scheduled for collection. Letting such packaging sit out will signal to criminals that there are good things to be found in your house.

Keep your windows upstairs locked. Many people think burglars can’t gain access to these windows; however, this is not true. Yes, burglars will go up there. This is known as a common weak spot, and criminals know all about this.

People know that their home has to be safe. But, some people do not understand how to secure their homes and personal property. It is hoped that this information has helped you to know how to take charge of your home security.

Once you’ve moved to a new house, make it a priority to replace all locks. While the person you bought the home from may seem on the up and up, you have no idea who they really are. Keep in mind that other families might have lived with them, too.