The safety of your home and family is of utmost importance. But, home invasions are very common these days, just as much other damage is, like floods and fires. You should keep reading to find out more about how to keep your home safe.

Does your dog like to play in your yard? Your furry friend is also a great storage place for your extra key. Attach the key to the dog’s collar so that it is hidden from view. If you have a pet that does not trust strangers, this can help you get into your house if needed.

After you purchase a new home, change the locks. You never know how many copies of the keys the previous owners made and handed out. Having a locksmith replace the locks will ensure that no strangers have a key. You should also have your locks changed if you lose your keys.

Home security systems offer other triggering features besides having an alarm sound. They can actually be set to chime whenever a monitored door is opened. Parents of children can track their kids this way.

Buy a safe for very valuable items in the house so you can keep them inside a single location. If an intruder breaks into your home, at least these valuables will be secure. Keep the safe hidden in a hard-to-find location like an attic or a basement closet.

Always take time to compare and research before investing in an expensive security system for your home. Prices can differ a lot among companies for the same type of protection. Obtain quotes from a minimum of three home security companies before making a final decision.

When planning to go away for a holiday, be sure to turn off the ringers on your home phones. A phone which rings forever is a sign to burglars that you’re not there.

Never allow a stranger to enter your home. This includes a salesperson or people looking for help. Some criminals will come in, case your house and then come back when you are away.

Before selecting any home-security company, talk to your friends to see who they suggest. There are likely people you know that have had either good or bad experiences with these companies. Making a great choice is important, so this advice will come in handy.

Secure your garage. Many people worry about burglars getting into their attached garage and then entering their home, but there is a fix. A C-clamp placed on the garage door track will stop it from opening when you don’t want it to.

Always go with your gut when it comes to choosing a security firm. You should be very picky when it comes to letting people inspect your home. You can decide to use a different company, or ask for a different person to install it. Remember that every aspect of your home security system should support you in feeling more secure.

Try installing motion-sensor lights. If someone enters their proximity, they will light automatically. This will discourage would be thieves and alert you to any movement on your property. Replace bulbs regularly and check the sensors once a month.

Avoid placing spare keys under door mats or in plant boxes. You are allowing people to invade your home when you make it easy for them. Thieves are aware of the best hiding spots. The wisest course of action is to leave a spare key with a trusted friend or a reliable neighbor.

Are you aware of the value present in the wiring in your home? A lot of people don’t realize this fact until a robber steals it from their home. The wiring has copper and is easy to be quickly taken off a home. Make sure your wiring is hidden or hard to access to keep this valuable property safe.

Rural areas are just as prone to break-ins as cities. 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. Not everyone believes this, though.

Don’t let anyone in your house without knowing their work history and checking their references. For a relatively small fee, you can also run a background check for their criminal history. You can never be too sure about anyone you hire to enter your home, and giving them access can work against you.

When you are trying to hire a home security contractor, read all the small print on your contract before signing it. There might be hidden costs or other things you should know about. It’s best to know about these fees in advance so that you can avoid them when possible.

Stashing your most precious possession right inside the walls of your home can be a great idea. Don’t make it obvious by cutting out big chunks of drywall. There are lots of places around the home that have pre-cut areas that you can use. You could removed the wiring from an electric socket that you aren’t using, and stash jewelry inside it.

Make sure your home’s exterior is well lit. It will be easier for intruders to keep an eye on you and approach your home if they can hide in the dark. Be sure and have a light next to any entry point in your home. Consider all your doors, porches, patios, decks, garages and all ground-level windows.

You should not enter your home if you find the door ajar. Keep in mind that intruders could still be inside. Your best bet is to call the cops and wait until they arrive before you do anything else.

Always lock your home, regardless of how short your trip out is. In a lot of cases, home intruders enter through unlocked doors. It does not take a long time for a robber to pilfer items worth thousands of dollars.

Purchase a paper shredder to prevent your discarded papers from providing burglars with valuable information. Thieves can use this information to figure out your schedule and determine the best time to break in. If paper shredders don’t fit into your budget, you can manually rip up important documents yourself.

Equip your home with a system designed for home surveillance. Adding video cameras on the property can be a good idea. Most intruders are discouraged by visible cameras. But, if they attempt to disable the camera, you will still be able to see them if you have a hidden camera. A lot of surveillance systems may be accessed through a cell phone, letting you check on your house when you’re away.

Look for an alarm system that does more than protect your doors. Your windows should also be protected because burglars can also break into them. Attach an alarm to every one of them, and make sure all entry points are monitored. This is just one more thing you can do to protect your home.

Anytime you make a new electronics purchase, keep the boxes off the curb until the very last minute. If the burglars see the empty boxes, then they will realize you have the items in your home. As a result, they’ll be more likely to break in so they can steal it. Remember to cut up the boxes when they’re emptied.

Don’t put the registration to your car in your glove box. If someone accesses these documents, they can determine your address. Ideally, you should carry your registration in your wallet or bag. If you must leave them in the car, pick a less obvious hiding place. Remember, you do need to be able to access them quickly if you get pulled over by a policeman.

Keep flashlights in your rooms. They will help you get around in case your entire home is dark. Your whole family should be trained on the proper use and maintenance of flashlights.

Due to all of the threats your home is vulnerable to, every homeowner needs to work to ensure the safety of it. This article has great ideas that will keep your home safe from almost any threat. Make the most of these great tips for the best in home security.