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 break-ins are increasing, so people should be extra vigilant about protecting their home. Anyone can be a target. The following article shows you some of the things you can do for your own security.

Do you keep your dog outside if you leave the home? Store the spare key with them. Put the key on the dog’s collar. Especially if your dog is not very friendly, this will help keep your key safe.

Is your dog outside when you are away? If so, you can use your dog to hide your spare key. You can attach your key to your dog’s collar in order to keep the key hidden. This works very well if you have a pet that is not very fond of strangers. You will get the access you need without having to worry about your safety.

Turn the ringer off on your telephone if you are going to be away. If your phone rings and is not being answered, criminals will realize that you’re away.

Buy fire resistant roofing, flooring and ceiling materials. This will make your home more safe, especially if you are in a dry climate that has many power lines. Investing in fire-resistant materials will help you save a lot since a fire can cause extensive damage.

Determine what sort of home protection services or programs the local police department has to offer. They may offer things such as home inspections, engraving tool loans, and other guidance about securing your house. Discuss these programs with a local police officer to see if they’re available in your area.

Do not post on your social media accounts regarding when you will be away on vacation. While it is exciting to go to a new place and have a good time, you are letting thieves know that your house will be empty and they can come right in.

Before doing anything else, install new locks in your home. If you have boarders, former live-in partners, or others who once had access to your home, this is especially important. Changing the locks can typically be done very cheaply and quickly.

You never want to open up a door to a stranger without proper identification. Nowadays, thieves are creative when thinking of ways to get homeowners to open a door and let them in. Establish a rule where you and your family only open the door for expected visitors.

Keep your most valuable possessions inside your walls. It is not necessary to cut out pieces from your wall. There are lots of places around the home that have pre-cut areas that you can use. Remove the wires from an electric socket you do not use so you can hide your valuable jewelry.

Get rid of all of the dead wood and vegetation in your yard during the summer months. These can quickly become fire hazards when hit by direct sunlight, placing your house at risk. Keep your family and your house protected by regularly clearing out your yard waste.

After making major (i.e. expensive) purchases, don’t dump the packaging out front if your next scheduled garbage pick-up is several days away. If you set these boxes out with the trash, thieves will know you have expensive items in your house.

Security System

If you allow a security company to come to your house, make sure they appear professional and can present identification. It is easy for potential thieves to present themselves as representatives of a company in order to gain access to your home. This can put your family and possessions in danger. Caution is always advisable if dangers like this are to be avoided.

Your home security system ought to be checked each year. Call the company and have them send someone to check it out. Wild animals or plain old nature can wreak havoc on your home security system. The problem might not be obvious to you, though.

Motion-sensitive exterior lighting is a must. At night, the lights will keep things bright round the house, but they are also efficient and cost-effective ways to help your security. This is a great way to deter prowlers and potential intruders at night.

Use motion sensor lights. If someone enters their proximity, they will light automatically. Motion-sensitive lights will alert you to movement and deter people who want to break into your home. Make sure you regularly change the light bulbs to ensure they continue to work properly.

When hiring a home security company, make sure to read the fine print on the contract you are signing. There may be hidden expenses involved if you terminate service before the contract term is up, and there may be added equipment fees. You can easily avoid these fees if you do your research.

Were you aware of how valuable your house wires are? This is something few homeowners realize until they become victims of wiring theft. Experienced criminals can make a decent amount of money quickly by stripping copper wiring off of houses in order to sell it at a scrapyard. In order to protect yourself from this risk, make sure wires on your house are difficult to find and hard to access.

Having a well-lit home that’s bight in the evening can really deter crooks. Most intruders avoid anything that could reveal their identity. A well-lit home is like a red flag to a burglar. Keep those lights shining brightly at night.

Don’t allow your landscaping make it easier for burglars to break into your home. Don’t obstruct windows or doors with shrubs, plants, fences or trees. These types of places provide the perfect cover for prowlers. Plan features like these further from your home to have a safe, beautiful design.

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. Call the authorities and let them take care of the situation.

Be sure and keep the outside of your house well lit. Nothing is as attractive to a burglar as a dark, deeply-shadowed house. Be sure and have a light next to any entry point in your home. This means by the garage, in the doorways, around windows and much more.

A paper shredder can be a good security investment. Unshredded documents can offer up a wealth of valuable personal information to thieves, including enough of your schedule to allow them to pinpoint the best time for a burglary. If a paper shredder is not in your budget, consider tearing your documents into tiny pieces or even burning them.

You may want to get a security system that is wireless. These systems are much more efficient and can save you time and hassle. Wireless systems are much easier to install, and they can work independently of your home’s power.

Never place empty boxes for expensive items out on the curb. Burglars will see these boxes and recognize that there are new valubles in your house. Break them down and put them in a bag or take them to a recycling center.

If you plan to be away and you have another person collecting your mail, have them double check your front door for fliers. Thieves will drop off flyers to see if home owners are away. If the flier is not moved, they know that the occupant is not around or on vacation.

If you lose your house keys often, you might want to install a keyless entry system. It is possible to have locks that require just codes, not keys. Install them yourself or get a local home security company to do that.

Could burglars see inside your garage? Make sure that they can’t! Go to a hardware store and buy some frosting so you can cover your windows. Make a habit of keep your door closed and locked.

See if your security firm offers a variety of contract lengths. You will probably find there are many pros and cons associated with each different contract. You might pay less each month for longer contracts, but it has its deterrents as well. Shorter contracts allow your greater freedom, however they usually cost more each month.

When you purchase an expensive item such as a computer or TV, be sure to take the cardboard box to the recycling center rather than leaving it on your curb for all the world to see. A burglar sees this as an invitation to procure the item themselves. Break up the boxes into smaller pieces before you put them near the curb.

Don’t use your birthday as the passcode for a keypad lock. Your birthday is readily available for burglars to find. Instead, make it a number which you can figure out through a math equation so you remember the equation instead of the number.

If you are away, pull your shades closed. Intruders can see into your home if they are left up. If something desirable is visible, you can expect a break in. Keep them down when you’re asleep, too.

It can be worthwhile to invest in a security system that is hard-wired into your home. The wireless ones are convenient, however, they need multiple battery sets that must be changed frequently. If you do forget to have them changed, the system will not work right. What you spend on batteries, additionally, can really add up!

Do not think that burglars only rob rich people. Thieves will target any home that looks promising. By utilizing the advice in this piece, you can increase your home’s security level and keep burglars at bay.

Common security problems in homes include sliding glass doors. They are easy to unlock, all they require is a bit of lifting and shaking. A piece of pipe or wood (e.g. a hefty broomstick) cut to the proper length and used to block the door channel can provide affordable security if you don’t have an alarm system. This prevents the door from being opened.