Do you keep valuable items, such as jewelry, original art or even cash, inside your home? If so, you shouldn’t assume that people aren’t aware of it. Protect yourself and your valuables by educating yourself on home security. Read the following suggestions on increasing the safety and security in your home.

Don’t ever let it be apparent that there is no one at home. Buy timers so things will go on and off at different times. This will give your home the appearance of someone being there. This should help you make your home safer and not attract the attention of potential intruders.

Place your spare key securely on your dog’s collar. This will come in handy if your dog is outdoors most of the time or if it can go outside through 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.

It is crucial that you change the locks as soon as you move into a new residence. You don’t know who might have a key. To make sure you’re the only person that can get into your home, contact a locksmith. Do the same thing if you misplace your keys.

Make sure that you change the locks once you’ve taken possession of the house. The previous owners or tenants might have made several copies of the key. To make sure you have the only access to the home, hire a locksmith. You should also do this if your keys ever get lost.

Buy a small home safe that you can use to keep your valuables in. Doing so can protect your valuables in the event of a robbery. Conceal the safe in an out-of-the-way and not easily accessible spot, such as an attic or a basement area.

Be very cautious about entrusting a maid service with a key to your home. Anyone you give the keys to your home to should be unarguably honest. It is best to do a reference check on them. If the house cleaner is employed by a company, check with the BBB of your area to determine their reputation.

Do not invite strangers into your home. Stay true to your safety, even if it appears the person has legitimate reasons for wanting entry. Some people will simply knock on your door to see whether or not there is a security system installed, and if there isn’t, they may target you later when you’re away.

Hiding places for spare keys must be chosen with extreme care and caution. Above doors or under doormats are much too common to hide them and potential criminals will check them first. Try hiding your key somewhere more unique, like your outside dog’s collar.

Rid the outside of your home from dead wood, vegetation and overgrowth during the summertime. As the summer heat rolls in, there is a higher chance that these can catch on fire, putting your home at risk. Keep your yard clear so it is a safe area.

If there are folks you don’t know or trust in your social network online, don’t let them know you are going away. You may be very excited about your impending vacation, but there is no need to let potential burglars know when you will be gone.

Be more proactive when you are determining the safety of your neighborhood. Talk to your neighbors. Keep an eye out for their houses, and request that they return the favor. Don’t ignore any gossip either. You could learn important security information, such as if strangers have been lurking around the neighborhood.

If you have an attached garage, don’t forget to secure it as well. Lots of folks are concerned about burglars gaining access to the garage and then the home, but this can be addressed. A C-clamp placed on the garage door track will stop it from opening when you don’t want it to.

If you live more out in the country, you may think that you’re not at risk. Some people think that country folk are mainly targeted since they don’t have nearby neighbors. Still, there are those who are of the opinion that rural properties are less of a temptation to burglars.

The police department in your area may offer a home protection program. They may offer things such as home inspections, engraving tool loans, and other guidance about securing your house. Talk with local police to see if they offer these programs.

Understand certain safety precautions when it comes to having skylights for your home. Skylights are a great addition to any home, but they are also tempting entryways for crooks. Make sure that you use safety hardware when the skylights are installed and maintained.

It’s a good idea to have motion sensor lights installed. They’ll flip on when people walk within a certain distance of your house. These lights will make you aware of, and can also scare off, potential burglars. Test the bulbs frequently, though.

Don’t put your extra key under you doormat, in a planter, or in a cleverly disguised false rock. These seem like great places for you when you misplace your key. Thieves are aware of the best hiding spots. Rather, keep your spare keys with a neighbor you trust.

Keep valuables hidden within the walls. This does not mean that you should make alterations to your walls. You can find areas in your walls that are pre-cut and use those. Remove the wires from an electric socket you do not use so you can hide your valuable jewelry.

Always lock your home, even if you plan on coming back within a few minutes. Most real-world burglars aren’t master lock-breakers; they simply stroll in through a door left carelessly unlocked. A thief can steal your most valuable possessions in a short amount of time.

You should not hide your spare key under your mat or inside a plant box. These are the first places criminals will look when they try to enter your home. Burglars are well aware of such hiding places. Rather, give the key to a neighbor to hold.

Get your home security system custom built for your needs. They should take your concerns seriously and address any issues you have. When you choose a company that pays close attention to detail in creating your home security plan, you will feel very secure.

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 burglar can steal a lot of expensive stuff in a short amount of time.

You should think about getting a home security system that is wireless. It may cost less to get a wired system; however, rewiring to accommodate the system may be difficult. Additionally, power outages may negatively impact your system. Wireless systems are much easier to install, and they can work independently of your home’s power.

The number one thing you must do if you’re moving into a new place is have the locks changed. Though the prior occupant may have relinquished their keys, there may be copies out there. You can purchase locks and install them yourself to ascertain that only you have a key.

If you’re planning to be out of your home for a period of time, have a neighbor remove any fliers placed on your door. Burglars sometimes place fliers as a means to see if anyone is home to remove them. Intruders can get a good idea of what your schedule is like or figure out that you are on vacation if the flyer stays on your door for a long time.

Having a well-lit home that’s bight in the evening can really deter crooks. That’s because they want to remain hidden. A well-lit home is like a red flag to a burglar. Thus, you should always keep lights on at nighttime.

Do not put electronic boxes in the front of your house. A burglar sees this as an invitation to procure the item themselves. Cut the boxes and wait until the garbage truck comes to put them outside.

As you work on your home’s landscape, don’t forget about safety. There should be no plants or greenery in front of doors or windows. If they can be seen, people will not hide there and attempt a break-in. Keep landscaping away from your house for safety reasons.

Can you locate your house number if you are standing on the street? If your house numbers are not easy to see, the police may have difficulty finding you in an emergency. Thankfully, you can right this wrong cheaply and quickly.

Ask a home security company to come to your house and design a security system that is perfect for your needs. Every person has specific needs and wants when dealing with securing your family, home, and items. You’ll get the best protection by using a company that can tailor a plan to your requirements.

Your furry friend is a great home security system, too. Dogs naturally protect their homes and they make lots of noise when things go wrong. Your dog doesn’t have to be a big, burly attack dog. Even the barking of a tiny dog can repel potential burglars, who want to avoid noises as they carry out their crimes.

If you arrive home and you see that your door is ajar, never enter to investigate on your own. This is a delicate situation as the burglar might still be in your home. Go to a neighbor’s or another safe area and call the police.

Ask about the various contract lengths offered by a home security company. There are likely pros and cons to each. You may pay less if you sign up for longer, but you might also get left with a contract if you have to sell your house. Shorter contracts may offer greater freedom at a higher cost.

It’s a good idea to install a surveillance system in your home. Video cameras are a great deterrent. Cameras that can be clearly seen have a powerful deterrent effect, while concealed cameras are difficult or impossible for intruders to disable. You can sometimes access security systems using your cell phone, keeping you informed on the go.

Do not purchase spring latch locks. These locks can be opened easily with a credit card. Intruders just have to slide a card in between the latch and door for the lock to pop open. A deadbolt can be retrofitted to a door with a spring latch lock if you want to make it more secure.

If you live with children or others whom who don’t want entering some parts of the house, keys and lock sets aren’t the only option. There are locks that use a code for entry, rather than a key. You can install these locks yourself or have them professionally installed.

If your door has a numeric keypad lock, never make its password your birth date. Anyone could get your date of birth from Facebook and could have access into your house. Make it a random number that you and your family can commit to memory.

It is best to protect your home against any kind of dangers. You don’t have to live your life in fear, but you should take some preventative measures. Keep these tips in mind to boost your home security, so that you can keep your family and home safe.

If your current door is anything other than solid wood or metal, swap it out for one that actually is. Metal and solid wooden doors hold tight and fast. These materials make it difficult for a would-be thief to break down the door. The cost of replacing your doors is worth it in the end.