You surely want to keep your home safe and do not want to allow the job to be neglected. It can sometimes seem hard to know exactly where to to start. Read this article to learn some very helpful strategies to help you get started.

Spare Key

It is crucial that you change the locks as soon as you move into a new residence. You never know how many copies of the keys the previous owners made and handed out. Have a locksmith install a brand new lock. Do the same thing if you misplace your keys.

Why not give your trusted dog the job of holding onto your spare key? This approach is useful if your dog is a large breed that lives outdoor, or if your house has a doggy door. Simply affix a spare key to the collar of the animal. You’ll always have a backup plan if you lose your key!

When you buy a new house, be sure the locks are changed. Many people may have been given keys by the former owner. To make sure you are the sole person with access to the home, engage the services of a locksmith. Also, you can contact a locksmith if you ever misplace your keys.

The only time you should give out house keys to house cleaners is if you absolutely trust them. Make sure you know they are legitimate before giving out the key. Check the housekeeper’s references very carefully. Call the Better Business Bureau to see if their firm is well-reviewed.

Don’t just hide your spare key anywhere. Intruders will more than likely check under your doormat or above your door frame. Try hiding your key somewhere more unique, like your outside dog’s collar.

Make sure to clear your yard of brush and dead wood in the summertime. As things heat up in the summer, items may catch on fire and threaten your home. Clearing your yard keeps your home, belongings and family much safer.

Do you keep your dog outside if you leave the home? She or he is actually a good place to keep the spare key. Simply put the key onto your dog’s collar so that robbers cannot locate it. Especially if pets don’t like strangers, this can be a useful way for having easy access to your house.

End your shyness. Engage your neighbors in conversation. Ask them to watch your home if you are on vacation. You shouldn’t neglect gossip. You might hear helpful information, for instance if strangers have been hanging around.

Put up motion activated lighting. When a person walks by your home too closely, these lights will go on. This lets you know something is moving and also drives off criminals. Don’t forget to replace the bulbs when they burn out.

Buy a safe to contain everything of great value. This is important, since you don’t want your valuables exposed to a potential intruder. Hide your safe in a hard to find place like the basement or attic.

Don’t put your spare keys under floor mats or plants. 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. Thieves are tricky, diabolical, and familiar with any and every hiding place. You should have a trusted neighbor keep a spare key.

Criminals often pick houses where they can see the valuables inside. If you have big windows near your big entertainment system, it can seem like an invitation to thieves. Be sure to put curtains on your front-facing windows so people can’t see your valuable belongings.

Don’t let strangers enter your house. There are some people who are very convincing and good at getting you to let them into your house. Some criminals will come in, case your house and then come back when you are away.

Don’t let anyone in your house without knowing their work history and checking their references. For a relatively small fee, you can also run a background check for their criminal history. You can never be certain if the contractor, repairman, maid, etc. that you hire to do services in your home is honest. If you let these people in without knowing anything about them, you could experience significant losses.

Be certain to read the entire contract when you hire a home security firm. There could be fees for terminating the contract early or acquiring additional equipment down the road. These are costs you’ll want to avoid.

If you own a garage, be sure to use it to place your car, as opposed to using it as a storage. This will keep thieves from stealing it or harming it. Hiding it will help to deter people from tracking the times you aren’t there.

You can keep intruders away by always having your house lit up. These crooks do not wish to be noticed or seen. Good lighting in your home means that crooks have no hiding places. Make sure the lights stay on to keep your home safe.

If you come to your home and discover that your door has been left open, avoid investigating by yourself. This can be quite dangerous because the burglar may still be on your property. Instead, wait outside until the police come, after calling them on your cell phone.

Don’t be shy. Meet your neighbors. Keep your eye on their houses, and ask for help to keep yours safe too. Listen to gossip also. It is often a good way to find out about security issues, such as strangers in the neighborhood.

Consider installing a surveillance system for your home. Adding video cameras on the property can be a good idea. Also, you can capture the intruder in the act. Nowadays, you can track your surveillance on your own cell phone.

Make sure that your garage is not visible from the outside in. Use frosted, adhesive backed plastic to cover the windows. You can purchase this at a home improvement store. Also, don’t leave your door open for long periods of time when you work there.

Walls are a great hiding spot for your valuables. This is a great way to hide jewelry, for example. Simply take advantage of an unused switch plate, electrical outlet, or phone jack. You can also just put in a false plate to cover a hiding place.

Don’t leave empty boxes for big-ticket purchases outside on your curb. If a burglar sees your empty box, he or she will know that valuable item is inside your house. That’s good motivation for a break-in. When you have emptied the boxes, make sure you cut them up.

The number on your house should be easy to find. During an emergency crisis, smaller numbers prevent emergency personnel from finding your home quickly. This is easy and inexpensive to fix if you believe there could be a problem.

Obtain flashlights with solid batteries, and ensure they are kept in all the rooms of your home in the event of a power outage. If the lights go out, they will ensure everyone stays safe. Keep in mind that your family might be separated during a power outage, and make sure you children know where to find and how to use your flashlights.

One of the best home burglary systems is man’s best friend. Canines are notoriously protective of their family and domicile. That is not to say that a big, scary dog is required. Even tinier canines can ward off intruders with enough noise.

Ask about the various contract lengths offered by a home security company. These lengths can be both good and bad. Your bill may be lower with a long-term contract, but you could wind up paying for a service you’re not using if you decide to move. Shorter contracts mean more freedom along with higher costs.

If you are moving into a new home, change the locks right away. Although it’s normal for owners / tenants to surrender their keys when they leave, there’s no way of knowing who else might have copies. You can also put the locks on yourself so you can be sure no one else has a key.

Keeping the home safe is something you need to do for a calmer mind. There is no doubt about this. Thankfully, this article has shown you the way.