Do you not understand what to do with security systems? Do you feel nervous about even starting the process? If this sounds like you, then all you need is more information about the matters of home security. Read this article to find out more.

Don’t ever let it be apparent that there is no one at home. You can purchase inexpensive timers that will control different electronics and lights in your home. This way, your house will always look occupied. This is a great way to keep your home safe and avoid burglaries.

When you buy a new home, be sure to have the locks changed. You don’t know who might have a key. Having a locksmith replace the locks will ensure that no strangers have a key. If you lose keys, make sure to do this, too.

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. Just hide a spare house key on the inside of your dog’s collar. Then when you need an extra key, you will be able to access this one.

Don’t give the keys to your home to a professional cleaner unless you trust them completely. If you plan on giving them the key so that they can work in your home for over an hour, make sure that they’re reputable, hardworking, and honest. One way to do this is to check their references. If it is a known company, check with your local BBB.

Is your dog outside when you are away? Store the spare key with them. Stash the key on the pup’s collar to keep it out of sight. If your pet does not get along with strangers, this will ensure your spare key stays safe.

Do not open your door for people you do not know. People often think of ways to trick others into letting them in so they can steal from them. Create a rule where you only allow those you’ve invited to your home inside.

A good security system has many more features than sounding the alarm during a break-in. The majority of systems are able to be set to put out an alert when any individual enters the home. This is a valuable safety feature for parents of small children since they know if their child has exited the home.

If you’ve got a garage, boost home security just by using it for only a car instead of storage. Keeping the car in the garage can keep thieves from vandalizing or stealing it. If you keep your car in the garage instead of in the driveway, it is harder for thieves to know whether you are at home or not.

When looking to purchase a good home security system, it is best that you look at many companies. Several different firms may offer similar protection for wildly divergent prices. Make sure you get quotes from at least three companies before you decide on which one you think is the best option.

Always change the locks if you have someone move out of your home. This could be an ex-spouse or roommate you got into a fight with. This doesn’t usually cost much, and it can be accomplished in less than a day.

You never want to open up a door to a stranger without proper identification. People you do not know could have bad intentions or want to get an idea of how many valuable objects you own. Make it a habit to only open your home’s door to people you were expecting.

Skylights need to be secure, too. Skylights are nice to bring extra light into your house, but they are also easy ways for burglars to enter your home. Make sure that you use safety hardware when the skylights are installed and maintained.

Be sure to secure your attached garage. Lots of people are afraid that burglars will be able to break into their garage, which will result in them breaking into the home. Thankfully, you can prevent this. Place a C-Clamp on the door track near the roller. This will prevent the door from lifting.

It is important that you do not put expensive valuables in plain sight. Having large windows in front of your home may be a great way to see what is happening outside, but it can also give crooks a view inside your home. If your house has street-facing windows, make sure they are always covered and your make sure your valuables are hidden away.

Check with your local law enforcement agency about home protection plans. They may offer things such as home inspections, engraving tool loans, and other guidance about securing your house. Discuss these programs with a local police officer to see if they’re available in your area.

Lock the house, even if just going away for a short time. This is often a surprise, but the majority of burglaries are due to someone just waltzing right into an unlocked home. A thief can take plenty of valuables in minutes.

Don’t forget about the skylights when securing your home. They look great and provide light, but also are another access point. Skylights need to be installed correctly and safely, with hardware that will keep intruders out.

If your door is set in a rotted frame, you must replace the frame. An intruder could pry the rotten wood easily to open the door. Replace any wood that has begun to rot with new wood so that your house stays safe.

Be on the lookout for rotten wood anywhere near your doors or windows. Home invaders interested are able to pry off any rotted wood to get inside. Be sure and replace rotted wood with fresh wood in order to ensure home safety.

After reading this, you should now understand how to secure your home. Use this advice and tips to devise your plan and use home security in your own home. By taking all your options into consideration you can be sure that you are as safe as you can possibly be.

Before allowing anyone into your home, check their references carefully. For a relatively small fee, you can also run a background check for their criminal history. You can never be certain if the contractor, repairman, maid, etc. that you hire to do services in your home is honest. If you let these people in without knowing anything about them, you could experience significant losses.