Do you need some tips for keeping your home safe? That is wise, because you can never be cautious enough about your house. To make sure your home is always safe, you need to do your part. Review this article to learn more about home security measures.

Protect your spare key by using your dog. This only makes sense if your dog is outdoors a lot or you have a pet door. Attach the spare key to your dog’s collar. By doing this, you have a handy spare key whenever you need it.

Buy a safe and use it to hold all of the valuables in your home. This is important, since you don’t want your valuables exposed to a potential intruder. Keep your safe in a hard-to-get-to place, such as a basement closet or your attic.

Beware giving keys to your maid unless the service has your absolute trust. If you do give out a key to such individuals, be certain you know their reputation for honesty. Carefully check their references. If your cleaning person comes from a company, check with the BBB.

If you like to have a key hidden in case you lose yours, place it in a safe place. People will check your doormat and frame first. One good place to hide a spare key is in the collar of a dog that does not take kindly to strangers.

Your flooring and roofing should be fire resistant. This adds more protection to a house, especially if you’re in a dry area with some power lines. Avoiding fire hazards is a great way to keep things safe.

Buy fire resistant roofing, flooring and ceiling materials. This give your home an extra protection layer. It’s best to prevent a fire before it starts.

Do not allow anyone you do not know into your home. Do not give in, even if a person uses a convincing story, asks for help or says they are selling something. Some people want to enter your home just to see if there is a security system in place. They may be scoping the place to come back when you’re gone.

Remove all of the vegetation outside in the hotter months. This sort of thing is a fire hazard in the heat of summer. Regularly clear away your yard to keep your home in good standing and safe for your family.

Regardless of the type of home security system you choose, be sure to have regular inspections and maintenance performed. Ask someone who works at the security company to do a maintenance check. There are many things that can reduce the quality of your system. Sometimes it is very difficult to see the problem if you don’t know where it is.

Be sure to secure the skylights to your home. Skylights are commonly used by thieves to enter a home. Be certain to have skylights that incorporate strong, durable hardware.

Whenever you are selecting a home security company, make sure you go with your gut feelings. If you don’t feel comfortable with the technician, don’t allow them access to your home. Don’t hesitate asking for another technician or get another company. After all, the point of the system itself is to help you feel more at ease.

You can hide things in your walls. If you own smaller things that need protection, think about keeping them hidden in the walls. Just open up an electrical outlet or a phone jack that is not in use. Even if every single plate in your home is being used, you can purchase a fake one purpose-built for concealing valuables.

If you reside in a small town or rural area, then you might not be as worried about someone breaking into your home as city dwellers may be. There are some who believe country folk are more at risk because neighbors are not nearby. You need to do some research on the areas where you live to get an idea of how frequent break ins are.

Don’t give outside people the ability to see into your home. If you have big windows near your big entertainment system, it can seem like an invitation to thieves. Blinds are a great way to allow the light in, without allowing people to see in at the same time.

Your home may be equipped with skylights, and if so you must not neglect them in your security planning. Skylights are nice to bring extra light into your house, but they are also easy ways for burglars to enter your home. Having heavy duty, reliable hardware is best when it comes to skylights.

Always lock your home when you leave it, no matter how soon you plan to return. Most real-world burglars aren’t master lock-breakers; they simply stroll in through a door left carelessly unlocked. It does not take long for thieves to steal your expensive stuff.

Lock your home when you leave, even if you don’t think you will be away for long. It might shock you to learn that most break-ins occur due to unlocked doors. Thieves can make off with large amounts of valuable merchandise very quickly.

If you bought any expensive or large items, don’t throw the boxes out until the day trash is scheduled to be removed. If you set these boxes out with the trash, thieves will know you have expensive items in your house.

Before allowing any security company reps to come into your home, make sure they have on a uniform and they have valid ID. Potential burglars can easily claim they are security company representatives so that they can enter your home. This can be extremely dangerous to your home and loved ones. Be deliberate in preventing hazards.

Do you know how valuable the wires within your home are? Many people have their wires stripped each year. Copper wiring can easily be removed. Be sure to keep your wiring hidden or difficult to reach.

Be certain to read the entire contract when you hire a home security firm. There are sometimes fees if you break a contract or need additional equipment. Avoid nasty charges or fees regarding early termination, contract expiration and additional features or equipment.

If you move to a dwelling that has had prior occupants, make sure you get the locks changed. The previous tenants may have returned the keys, but they could have a copy. You can even buy and install the locks yourself so you know that you are the only one with a key.

Safety should be kept in mind when you are planning your landscape. Don’t provide burglars with cover by planting big shrubs in front of your doors and windows. If these things can be seen by the naked eye, they won’t offer hiding places to potential criminals. Plan your home with safety in mind.

Be sure to get a home security service that will inspect your home and tailor a home security system just for you. The needs and wants of each family and the configuration of each home are quite individual. When you choose a company that pays close attention to detail in creating your home security plan, you will feel very secure.

Ask your security provider about their history in the business. A long-standing company has a track record in the industry that people can attest to. When you know that you’re dealing with a company of some repute, you can feel more at ease making that decision.

Get a paper shredder. Your trash contains so much personal information a thief would love to have. If you can’t get a paper shredder, try ripping papers into smaller pieces.

Equip your home with a system designed for home surveillance. You can make a huge difference in your home’s security by putting in cameras whether they’re concealed or out in the open. Visible cameras can scare intruders, and hidden ones can catch them in the act. Some security systems are accessible via mobile phone, which lets you look in on your house when away.

Arrange for someone to pick up your mail and remove any fliers from your door if you are out of town. Thieves have put them up in order to see if people are home to take them down. If the flier is not removed, it’s easy for a burglar to suspect that the owner is away.

Keeping thieves from the contents of your garage can be as simple as making sure they can’t easily look inside. Cover your windows with frosting; this could be purchased at hardware stores. They prevent people from peeking inside. Don’t leave your front door unlocked or standing open when you are working in the garage or yard.

You need a home security system. Video cameras are a great deterrent. 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. It is possible to use your cell phone to look at your surveillance camera, meaning you can see your house when you’re gone.

If you buy something that is expensive, you need to make sure you don’t leave empty boxes curbside. Burglars will see those boxes and realize that there are valuable things in your home for them to get. Cut up the boxes completely instead.

Your home will never be 100% safe from threat. You can make your home safer though. The piece above has provided you with useful home security tips. Use them to ensure your home is protected.

Are you able to see the numbers on your house from the street? During an emergency crisis, smaller numbers prevent emergency personnel from finding your home quickly. Fortunately, the solution to this is quick, easy and rather cheap once you are aware of the need.