As a homeowner, your priority should be to keep your family safe. Having your home destroyed or damaged is one of the worst experience you can have. Your home is a giant investment and a place to build the memories of life. Read this article for tips on keeping your precious asset safe.

The only time you should give out house keys to house cleaners is if you absolutely trust them. You should not let cleaners have your keys if you feel like you cannot trust them, or if they will be working in your home while you are away. Check the housekeeper’s references very carefully. If the cleaner has been sent by a company, call the Better Business Bureau to check on the company’s reputation.

Spare Key

Compare different systems when looking into home security. Prices can be very different from one product to another. Try to get two or three quotes before making a decision.

Place your spare key securely on your dog’s collar. But, this is only effective if your home has a pet door or your dog stays outdoors when you are not home. Simply attach a spare key to your dog’s collar (in a secure and non-visible place, of course) so that you’ll be able to retrieve it if you need it.

Get to know your neighbors. Engage your neighbors in conversation. Keep an eye out for their houses, and request that they return the favor. Don’t ignore any gossip either. You may learn some great information about security, such as if any strangers have been hanging around.

Is your dog outside when you are away? She or he is actually a good place to keep the spare key. Attach your key to your dog’s collar, ensuring that it can’t be seen. This is the perfect place to store a spare key, especially if your dog doesn’t care for strangers.

Replace all the locks in your newly purchased home. You really don’t know much about the people who sold you the home, regardless of how competent they may seem. There are other people who have lived in the home as well.

When in the process of purchasing a home-security system, be sure to comparison shop. Prices vary significantly, even for similar levels of protection. Make sure to obtain quotes from a minimum of three companies prior to deciding on a final one.

Plug a rechargeable flashlight into an outlet in each room of your house in the event of power outage. This is important for you to be able to see should your power go out or you suffer an emergency. If you have kids, teach them how to properly use the flashlights so everyone in the family can help out during a power outage.

Turn the ringer off on your telephone if you are going to be away. If your phone is ringing while you are out, burglars will realize that no one is home, making your home very vulnerable to an attack during your time away.

If you move into a home or apartment that has been previously lived in, the first thing you should do is change the locks. The previous tenants may have returned the keys, but they could have a copy. If you own, you can have the locks replaced and only you will have had the key.

If you have a stranger at your door, do not open it. There are people who are going to be convincing, but they can just be professional thieves. Make it a habit to only open your home’s door to people you were expecting.

Ask for ID before letting anyone into your home. They might not be who you think they are. This leads to danger. You want to use caution to prevent danger.

Go with your gut when choosing a home security company to install a system. This is doubly true when you feel unease about the installers. Ask the company to send a different installer or simply change companies. Remember that every aspect of your home security system should support you in feeling more secure.

Always ask for references before letting a contractor or a maid in your home. Conduct background checks if necessary. You don’t know whether the contractor, maid, or repairman that you’ve hired is trustworthy and handing them your keys could be a costly mistake.

If you have just bought any pricey new goods, never toss the boxes onto the curb prior to the garbage man’s arrival. These boxes sitting outside your home serve as a flag for thieves to target your home.

Be certain to read the entire contract when you hire a home security firm. You need to find out about hidden costs, such as cancellation fees in case you want to cancel your contract before it expires. You’ll want to avoid any surprises so be sure and read your contract carefully.

Replace Rotted Wood

Think about safety when designing your home. Windows should be free from obstructions like trees, shrubs and fencing. If windows and doors can be easily seen from all areas, then burglars cannot hide as well, which will hinder their plans. This should be planned in advance for your safety.

Replace rotted wood around entryways. Anybody wanting to break into your house can just pry off rotted wood and get inside. Therefore, replace rotted wood with fresh wood to ensure your home’s safety.

Keep your home’s exterior well lit. Darkness allows for all sorts of nefarious activities. Make sure to have lights anywhere an intruder might enter. This can include the garage, doorways, porches and other areas which invite an intruder in.

If you are entering a house that has already been occupied, you should first change your locks. Although other tenants might not have a key anymore, they could have copied it. It is possible to purchase and put in locks on your own so you can be assured you have the only keys.

If you will be going out of time, have someone you trust get your mail. Also, have them look for fliers stuck in your door. This is a way people who are casing out your house can tell whether you are home or not. If the flier is not moved, they know that the occupant is not around or on vacation.

You can add a great deal of security to your home by installing a system of motion activated exterior lighting. These lights not only give off light at night, but can also offer security around your home. If positioned correctly on the exterior of your home, the motion detectors make it virtually impossible for an intruder to sneak onto your property.

Can you read your house numbers clearly from the street? Small or obscured numbers can make it difficult for emergency personnel to locate your home. Just replace them if you need to.

You want to know what is included in a contract if you’re signing up with a security company. You need to find out about hidden costs, such as cancellation fees in case you want to cancel your contract before it expires. You can easily avoid these fees if you do your research.

A dog is a great home security alarm. Usually, dogs protect their homes and when they sense something is wrong, they bark. That is not to say that a big, scary dog is required. Little dogs can also make big noise, which is the main thing that burglars care about.

The best way to keep a burglar out of your garage is to ensure no one can see inside. Cover your windows in frosting, which can be bought at big box hardware stores, so people can’t peek inside. Also, do not leave doors open.

If you must hide a key, hide it somewhere unusual. A very obvious location is underneath fake rocks. The first place a person will look is a doormat. It is probably best to find someone you trust to hold a key for you. Otherwise, you should be more creative when it comes to hiding your key.

There are many simple ways to safeguard your home effectively. Take the time to learn as much as you can about home security. Follow the advice in this article to improve your home’s security. Apply the tips in this article and feel safe at home.

Program your lights to turn on and off at random intervals with a timer. They will go on when you need them, plus they’ll also go on when you’re not home.