The odds are pretty good that someone in your immediate circle of friends and family members has had to deal with a burglary at some point. Home robberies are becoming more prevalent, so you must be diligent in managing your home’s security. A break-in can occur anyplace at all. This article discusses strategies for increasing your home’s security.

Protect your spare key by using your dog. Outdoor dogs or pet doors make this possible. Simply affix a spare key to the collar of the animal. You’ll always have a backup plan if you lose your key!

Make your home look occupied at all times. Invest in timers to automatically turn on and off any electronics at various times. Potential intruders will stay away from your home if they believe someone is inside. This is just one of the many precautions you can take to secure your home.

When you buy a new home, be sure to have the locks changed. It’s important to know everyone who has a key to your home. To make sure your home can only be accessed by you, enlist the help of a locksmith. Do the same thing if you happen to misplace a key.

Home security systems offer additional features besides loud alarms 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 great for parents that have small children so that they know when their kids open or close doors.

Does your canine stay in the yard while you go out? They can help you with your spare key. Put it on their collar. This is quite effective if your pet does not respond well to strangers.

If there are people you don’t know that have access to your social media sites, then you don’t want to let all of them know you’re on vacation. While these platforms are there for sharing, this is announcing to the world that your home is an open target.

Home security systems have different kinds of features that can sound an alarm when someone breaks into your house. Modern systems are often capable of detecting any open door or window and announcing that fact. It’s a great feature for parents as they can tell if a child is potentially leaving the house.

Turn off ringers on land line phones while you are on vacation. Intruders might be attracted by a phone that rings constantly without anyone picking up.

Always take time to compare and research before investing in an expensive security system for your home. Every company offers different pricing. You really owe it to yourself to solicit firm quotes from three different providers before you sit down to pick one.

When summer comes around, eliminate all vegetation and dead wood from your yard. When summer heats up, such debris can catch fire. Regularly clear away your yard to keep your home in good standing and safe for your family.

Buy housing materials that are fire resistant. These materials will protect your home from both internal fires and the spread of fires that start on other properties. Keeping fire hazards away is a great safety precaution since fire can cause lots of destruction.

See if your area police department has any home security programs. Many police departments will offer expert advice, arrange inspections, sponsor neighborhood watches, and help you mark and register your valuables. These programs can make a big difference to the security of your home, and they may just be a phone call away.

Ask your friends for advice before you choose a home security system or company. Your loved ones likely have dealt with this situation before. Ask around so that you can have the advice that you need to make a good choice.

Security starts with new locks. Changing the locks will ensure that you are the only one who knows the combination. It is inexpensive, and most locksmiths will be available for next day appointments.

Keep your car in the garage. Keeping your car in your house will deter intruders from vandalizing or stealing it. When it is in hiding, people won’t know if you’re home.

Remove and replace any wood that is not up to par. Rotten wood is easily removed and can give an intruder a way into your home. Keep your home secure by replacing rotted wood with fresh timber.

When dealing with companies that install home security systems, it’s important to trust your gut. This is very true when you feel uneasy about the person installing the system. If you are unsure, contact the security company to make sure that the installer was actually sent by them. The point of having a security system is to make yourself feel at ease.

A great way to achieve extra security is to install exterior lighting equipped with motion detectors. These lights illuminate your home during the night. As an added bonus, they are affordable and quite efficient. This is a great way to deter prowlers and potential intruders at night.

You never want people to be able to see your valuables from outside of your home. You might enjoy large windows so you can see out, but just remember that makes it easier for those burglars to see inside your home as well. You should cover any windows that are facing the street so your valuables will be safe.

Keeping the home illuminated during evening hours helps keep criminals away. They wish to avoid detection. Good lighting in your home means that crooks have no hiding places. Secure your property by creating a well-lit area.

Regardless of how long you think you’ll be gone, make sure to lock your doors. Most burglars gain entry to a home through an unlocked door. A thief could steal all your valuables in only a few minutes.

Make sure the outside of the house is well lit. Burglars like committing crimes in the darkness. Light up the dark spots around your home. Consider all your doors, porches, patios, decks, garages and all ground-level windows.

If you have just bought any pricey new goods, never toss the boxes onto the curb prior to the garbage man’s arrival. Having these boxes outside of your house will give robbers the temptation of robbing your house.

Make sure you have weighed the costs and risks when you are considering your security needs. Security systems are a proven method of reducing your chance of break-ins, but it is not always the right choice. Some individuals are more comfortable with a canine alarm, while other people enjoy the feeling of security that a sophisticated alarm system can bring. Understanding your neighborhood, risks and budget constraints can help you to make the best choices.

You should have several flashlights and batteries in all your rooms. Flashlights are essential since they let you move around in an emergency. Make sure each member of your family knows where the flashlights are and how to operate them.

A paper shredder can be a good security investment. Thieves often dig through garbage to obtain personal data that will help them enter the house. If you don’t want a shredder, rip the papers up manually.

Alter the locks and the keys when you change homes. Even though the previous tenant may have turned in their key, you never know if they have a copy. For maximum security, buy your own locks and install them yourself. This way you can be certain nobody else has a key.

Consider installing a surveillance system for your home. Installing hidden and visible video cameras is great for securing a home. 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. Surveillance systems often allow you to access videos through your cell phone, too.

When choosing between security companies, read everything on the contract. There may be hidden expenses involved if you terminate service before the contract term is up, and there may be added equipment fees. You want to avoid as many of these fees as you can, so read everything.

If there are parts of your home you want no one else to enter, there is no need to lock doors or have a set of keys on you at all times. You can instead get key-less locks that work using a code. Many home security companies will install these, and there are also do it yourself kits available.

If you think something looks odd when you get back home, don’t go inside. This can be quite dangerous because the burglar may still be on your property. It is best to call the police right away and go to a safe place until the police check your home.

Ask about different contract lengths that your home security company may offer. There are likely pros and cons to each. You might pay less each month for longer contracts, but it has its deterrents as well. Shorter contracts may offer greater freedom at a higher cost.

When you are out of the house, your drapes and blinds should be fully closed. Potential intruders will see what you are doing and get an idea of how many valuables you own if you keep your blinds open. If they see something they like, they will then break in. Close your drapes or blinds while you are asleep, too.

Keep blinds, shades, and curtains closed when you’re not home. If you leave them open, potential burglars can look in and case the joint. If they spot an item they’re interested in, they will most likely try to enter. Keep them down as you sleep, too.

Find out if your alarm company offers lighting with motion sensors. This is a common offering from most companies. These lights, affixed to your home’s exterior, illuminate whenever anyone comes within range. This can provide extra security when you enter your house, and can also hinder an intruder.

Become chummy with your nosey neighbor. While much of the information these folks pass around is useless, they’re also the first to pick up on suspicious activity in the neighborhood. Being friendly will bring you great security.

Women have more chances of being the target of a home invasion if they live alone. Consider putting some large, dirty boots on your porch so that it looks like the man of the house is home. This will make criminals think again before trying to enter your home.

Always lock your second and even third floor windows. Many people think burglars can’t gain access to these windows; however, this is not true. Yes, burglars will go up there. This is often a weak area that criminals know about.

If your kids are not outside, don’t leave toys in your yard. Toys are like beacons to burglars letting them know a woman may be home alone. Thieves assume that women are more apt to have valuables like jewelry inside.

Women who live alone or along with children are the most likely targets for burglary. Put big boots on the front porch to give the appearance of a man residing inside the house. This will make burglars think twice about breaking in.

Clean out all carbon monoxide and smoke detectors. If dirt and debris are allowed to build up, it will cause interference with the sensors. This means they won’t be as effective at protecting you from harmful carbon monoxide or smoke.

Have you ever heard that burglaries only occur at expensive homes? If so, then don’t buy into this theory! The houses most often broken into are those that are easy to break into. You can take the proper steps now to make sure you and your family feel safe and protected within your home.

Your home security company should be ready to give you more than just an alarm system. A reliable company will inspect your home, and give you ideas about improving its safety. They may suggest adding an extra lock or two, installing windows that are more secure and trimming bushes away from the outside of your home. Meeting with a representative of the company one on one will let you know if they can be trusted with your family’s security.