You might know someone that has been a victim of a home invasion. Home break-ins are increasing, so people should be extra vigilant about protecting their home. Anyone can be a target. In the article that follows, you’ll find some great home security tips that can increase your safety and reduce your risk.

Have your dog protect the spare key. In order to make this work, your dog either needs to stay outside or have access to a pet door. You could simply put a key onto your dog’s collar, so it is always handy.

Any time you buy a new home, have the locks changed. You never know how many copies of the keys the previous owners made and handed out. To make sure you are the sole person with access to the home, engage the services of a locksmith. In addition, replace your locks if your keys ever get lost.

Do you keep your dog outside if you leave the home? If so, the dog can be a terrific spot to keep a spare key. Put it on their collar. If you have a pet that does not trust strangers, this can help you get into your house if needed.

Some home security systems have additional security features besides sounding an alarm to deter a burglar. Many systems sound an alert whenever people enter the house. For families with young children, this is excellent for alerting when a child has entered or left the house.

Home security systems aren’t just about sounding alarms. They can actually be set to chime whenever a monitored door is opened. For families with young children, this is excellent for alerting when a child has entered or left the house.

Make sure you have a safe to keep valuable items in one place. This will help to keep your jewelry and other valuables secured in the event of a break in. Conceal the safe in an out-of-the-way and not easily accessible spot, such as an attic or a basement area.

Is your ceiling resistant to fire? What about your flooring or roofing? This ensures your home won’t be a tinderbox. Investing in fire-resistant materials will help you save a lot since a fire can cause extensive damage.

Buy a safe. This is vital, as you want to safeguard your valuable items in case of home burglary. Keep your safe in a hard-to-get-to place, such as a basement closet or your attic.

Don’t announce your vacation agenda on your social networks. This is especially true if you have lots of unfamiliar “friends”. Although you may want to let others in on your excitement, it may inadvertently give burglars a heads up to target your property.

Don’t fool yourself into thinking that your home is not a target for burglars because it’s not the fanciest house in the neighborhood. Thieves will hit any home that appears to be an easy target. If you use these tips, your home should be safe.

If you keep a spare key outside to prevent yourself from being locked-out, think carefully about where you hide it. Common places to hide a spare key are above your door frame or underneath your doormat. Therefore, thieves are more likely to check these places out first. One idea is to hide your key inside the collar of your outdoor dog.