You should definitely be concerned about your home’s security. You can’t tell just when a burglar might break in to take valuables or hurt people. Read this article in order to make your home a safer and more secure place.

Create the illusion that your home is constantly occupied. Buy timers so things will go on and off at different times. This way it will always look as if someone is home, even when you are away. It is also another way to secure your home.

Make sure you trust your house cleaner before you provide them with a key. If you plan to give them a key so they can clean in your home while you are away, ensure they are reputable and honest. Carefully check their references. If they work for a firm, call the local Better Business Bureau to find out that firm’s reputation.

Do you keep your dog outdoors when you go out? She or he is actually a good place to keep the spare key. Hook your key to the dog’s collar in a place that is shielded from view. If your dog doesn’t like strangers, it’s even better.

Check out your garage to ensure that it is secure. Lots of folks are concerned about burglars gaining access to the garage and then the home, but this can be addressed. Try putting a C-clamp on your garage door track. This will stop the door from rising if you want to keep it closed.

If you like to have a key hidden in case you lose yours, place it in a safe place. Avoid cliched hiding places like over the door frame or beneath the doormat. Experienced criminals will check these places immediately. A possible solution is to attach a key to your outdoor dog’s collar.

Don’t be afraid to know the people who live near you. It is important to communicate with others who also live in your area. Keep watch of their homes when they are away, and ask if they will return the favor. It’s best to be in on any rumors in the area. You might find out valuable information related to security, like if there have been any strangers hanging around.

Secure your attached garage. There is a solution for people that are worried about burglars going into their home through an attached garage. Get a C-clamp to secure your garage door if it is mounted on a track.

Do that put spare keys above door frames or under door mats. 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 the best hiding spots. Rather, give the key to a neighbor to hold.

Motion sensor lights on the exterior of your home is a great idea. Lights like these will automatically turn on whenever someone is near them. Motion-sensitive lights will alert you to movement and deter people who want to break into your home. However, make sure to put in fresh bulbs every now and then.

Change all of the locks in your new residence. The old owners may seem nice, but you don’t know everything about them. Besides, other tenants or owners might have copies of the key if the previous owners did not change the locks.

Understand certain safety precautions when it comes to having skylights for your home. Although a skylight can bring light into one’s home and look good, it’s also a common entrance way for burglars. Check that skylights have heavy duty hardware that can stand up under unwanted tampering.

Before letting a home security representative inside, ask for identification. They might not be who you think they are. This can put your family and possessions in danger. Proceed with caution.

Do that put spare keys above door frames or under door mats. Though you might think that you’re giving yourself something you could use to get into your house when you’ve lost your keys, you’re actually inviting intruders inside your house. Burglars are well aware of such hiding places. If you have a neighbor you can trust, have them hold your extra key.

If you hire a security company, read any fine print. There may be hidden expenses involved if you terminate service before the contract term is up, and there may be added equipment fees. It is best to know all you can about a service you sign up for.

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.

See how long the home security company has been around before you make any decisions. A company that’s been around for a while has proven that their service is reliable. You may not feel as safe if you opt to go with a company that has not been in business for long or that does not have a stable history.

Be sure to replace all locks on a home you have bought. You don’t really know the people you purchased the house from or all the folks they shared keys with, so don’t place too much trust in the old locks. Don’t forget that there were likely other owners and residents in the house before the last set.

Install a surveillance system in your home. Installing video cameras, both visible and hidden, are a great way to secure your home. Also, you can capture the intruder in the act. Find a security system that gives you the option to view the video feed from your phone so you can check on your home at anytime.

The wiring outside of your home can be valuable. Many people do not realize this until a crook steals it off of their home. The copper inside the wire is very valuable and may be stripped off the exterior of the house in a short time span. Keep your wiring hidden or inaccessible to potential burglars.

Your furry friend is a great home security system, too. Usually, dogs protect their homes and when they sense something is wrong, they bark. It doesn’t need to be a huge dog either. Small dogs even scare off intruders as they don’t like anything to make noise when breaking into a home.

You need flashlights and plenty of batteries in each room just in case your power ever goes out. Flashlights are key because they allow you to move around if an emergency should arise. Show your children how to use them so everyone in the family is involved.

If the window of your living room faces the street, close your curtains at night. You never want to make it easy for folks to peer into your home. If potential thieves notice any expensive valuables within your home, they might target you. Make sure you’re discreet concerning your belongings so you can keep your chances of being robbed at a minimum.

If you sign a contract for a security company, read all the fine print first. There may be hidden expenses involved if you terminate service before the contract term is up, and there may be added equipment fees. Avoid as many fees as you can by reading everything.

Instead of praying that nothing bad would happen to you, try to look at it in a very realistic sense. Trouble can come down on you at any moment, and that’s why it’s important to prepare yourself as best you can. Keep this advice in mind to make your home a safe place.

Keeping your house bright and lit at night will deter many crooks. Most intruders avoid anything that could reveal their identity. When your house is well lit, intruders have no place to hide. This makes it hard for them to get things from you. Have lights that come on when they detect movement for best results.