Every homeowner must maximize efforts to secure his home. While an alarm system can be very helpful, there are also other things to consider. Read on for some excellent ideas on keeping your home secure.

Look for ways to make your home seem occupied. Keep your radio, TV and lights on timers. In this way, it will always seem that someone is in your home. This will keep people from breaking in.

Your dog can safeguard an extra key. This works with a dog that stays outside or a dog with a pet door. Place the alternative key on your dog’s collar in case of an emergency.

Your dog could carry a spare key for you. This only makes sense if your dog is outdoors a lot or you have a pet door. You can purchase a special collar that will hold your spare key, so when you forget your keys your dog can let you in.

Use a safe to protect your valuables. This is important, since you don’t want your valuables exposed to a potential intruder. The safe should be situated in an inconspicuous area of your home.

Change all of your locks when you move in. It’s important to know everyone who has a key to your home. To make sure no one else can get into your home, call a locksmith. Do the same thing if you misplace your keys.

Make sure the ringer on any phones in your home is turned off when you leave for vacation. A ringing phone that goes unanswered may signal to a burglar that nobody is home.

Home security systems have additional features to just being noise alarms. The majority of systems are able to be set to put out an alert when any individual enters the home. This isn’t just for burglars; parents with young children can also use it as a valuable tool to know when their child has come inside.

Install lights that have motion sensors. These lights will come on if someone walks near your home. These lights will make you aware of, and can also scare off, potential burglars. Get in the habit of checking and replacing the bulbs as necessary to ensure the lights remain effective.

Be sure your roof, floors, and ceiling are fire resistant. Having your home built with fire resistant materials will help safeguard your home in case it catches fire. Lowering or eliminating the risk of a fire is an extremely important home security strategy because a fire can cause extreme destruction very quickly.

Meet with representatives from the security company you are considering to determine if they are trustworthy. Don’t hire anyone who makes you uncomfortable. There is nothing wrong with asking for a different technician if you’re uneasy. You need to feel secure with the entire process.

No matter how good your security system is, it should be checked annually. Have a worker from the security company take a look at it. There are any number of problems that can cause malfunctions in your security system, from weather damage to animal activity. You might not even discover these problems if they aren’t easily sighted.

If you live in a rural area, you may not be as concerned about home break-ins as people who live in the city. Some think residents of the country are even more vulnerable because there are no close neighbors. That said, stranger things have happened.

It’s a good idea to have motion sensor lights installed. When a person approaches your home, the lights will blaze. They will signal movement to you but will also serve as deterrents to the thieves. Remember to keep working bulbs in them at all times.

Skylights should be secure. Skylights are commonly used by thieves to enter a home. Be sure that the skylights for your home are durable and reliable.

Don’t put your extra key under you doormat, in a planter, or in a cleverly disguised false rock. While you may need to prepare if you have a spare key, it is wise to choose ways that do not increase the risk of a criminal gaining entrance to your home. Thieves are aware of these hiding spots. A better solution is to give your key to a neighbor you trust.

Be sure your expensive belongings are not visible from the home’s exterior. Large windows at the home’s front can be beautiful, but it can make it easier for criminals to see inside. If your windows face a street, be sure they’re always covered and have your valuables safe.

If you bought any expensive or large items, don’t throw the boxes out until the day trash is scheduled to be removed. They show the world you have money and lots of valuables inside.

While choosing your alarm system, ask about protection for windows and motion detection as well as doors. Each window represents a possible entry for your thief. Therefore, ensure the windows have an attached alarm. All potential entry points should have an alarm. This can mean the difference between a safe home and one that is an easy target.

Be sure to replace all locks on a home you have bought. The old owners may seem nice, but you don’t know everything about them. Keep in mind that there may have been residents prior to that person too.

Be sure to replace all locks on a home you have bought. As nice as the previous person may seem, you don’t really know them. If the previous owners have never changed the locks, there could be people out there who owned the house before them and still have keys to your house.

An important part of vetting any security company before you sign a contract with them is finding out how long they’ve been providing security services in your community. A company with a long history has proved they can survive and provide great service to people. Realizing you at involved with a stable firm will give you a sense of calm that is important.

Whenever you sign with a home-security company, it is important that you thoroughly read the contract. There might be hidden costs or other things you should know about. Be aware of these particular fees so you can steer clear of them.

A reputable security company will send a representative to your home to design a custom system. Each customer wants certain things as far as home security goes. If there is a company that can come up with a customized plan, you will get what you really need.

Never enter your house if the door is open or something doesn’t feel right. Keep in mind that intruders could still be inside. Instead, you should call 911 and wait in a safe location for the police to arrive.

You should not enter your home if you find the door ajar. A thief might still be in there, which could put you in danger. The best thing to do is call the police and wait for them to arrive before doing anything else.

Now that you’ve read this, you have no reason to be in an unsafe home. It may not be easy, but you have to do what you can to protect your family. These tips and tricks will make you feel more comfortable with your layout.

Consider buying a paper shredder for your home. Thieves can use this information to figure out your schedule and determine the best time to break in. Rip important documents in small pieces before throwing them away if you do not have a paper shredder.