If you are worried about home security, you have good reason. You never know when a burglar will target your home. Read this to make your house safer and secure.

When you buy a new home, be sure to have the locks changed. You don’t know who might have a key. To ensure that you are the only one who has access to your house, call a locksmith. Also, if you ever lose your keys, do the same.

Place the spare key that you make on your dog. This works with a dog that stays outside or a dog with a pet door. 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.

Make sure you trust your house cleaner before you provide them with a key. If they need the keys and plan on being in there for more than an hour, try to ensure that they are honest, hardworking, and reputable. Read through their references very carefully, and don’t hesitate to follow up on their references to ensure they actually exist. If you hire a cleaner from a company, then you should check the company with the BBB.

Change all of your locks when you move in. It’s important to know everyone who has a key to your home. Get a locksmith in right away. You should also do this if your keys ever get lost.

Don’t just hide your spare key anywhere. The doormat is too obvious of a place to hide it, as robbers will look there first. You could hide the key with your dog on the collar.

Compare various home security systems when shopping. Different companies can provide equivalent levels of service and security, but their prices can vary wildly. Get three quotes or more before making a choice.

Turn the ringers off on all your phones if you will be away for a prolonged period of time. A phone which rings forever is a sign to burglars that you’re not there.

If you want to have a spare key hidden outside of your home, hide it carefully. Hiding it beneath the doormat is very common and most intruders will look there. Instead, try hiding a key on the collar of an outside dog.

Have lights that are motion-sensor installed. The motion sensors turn on the lights whenever anyone approaches your home. Not only will they notify you of movement, they will also deter potential burglars, as thieves want to remain as inconspicuous as possible. But keep in mind that the bulbs to the security light should be routinely changed to ensure that the deterrent system functions properly.

Before agreeing to work with a security company, check with your friends and family for recommendations. It is probable that you will hear some great stories about some companies as well as some not so great stories about others. This can save you the hassle of having to research everything on your own. Keep asking to get the advice that will help you make the right choice.

Don’t forget skylights when doing a security sweep for your home. Although skylights provide your home with a lot of light, it is also very helpful for burglars to break in. Your skylights need durable and reliable hardware for true protection.

Police Department

No one should be able to see your valuables from outside. A big front window gives you a good view; however, it also gives burglars a good view of the interior of your house. Blinds are a great way to allow the light in, without allowing people to see in at the same time.

See if your local police department offers any home inspection or other protection programs. They often offer home inspections, seminars and even the ability to purchase items. Contact the police department to see if they have something similar.

You should always lock up your house, even if you’re only planning to be gone for a short time. Most break-ins and burglaries occur because a door is left open and an intruder just walks in. It does not take a long time for a robber to pilfer items worth thousands of dollars.

Keep your car in the garage. Keeping your car secured will prevent people from vandalizing it. Keeping your car in your garage also keeps a thief from knowing whether you are at home or not.

Don’t throw away boxes for expensive or valuable items until the garbage collection day. These boxes sitting outside your home serve as a flag for thieves to target your home.

Trust your instincts when it comes to hiring a home security company. You should be very picky when it comes to letting people inspect your home. You don’t want to refrain from choosing a different company or technician. You need to feel secure with the entire process.

Don’t limit security to the inside of your home; the outside needs attention too. Windows should be free from obstructions like trees, shrubs and fencing. If criminals know you can see them, they are less likely to break in. Plan your greenery and shrubbery for areas away from the direct path to your home to add beauty while still keeping your house safe.

Walls are great for hiding items. This is a great way to hide jewelry, for example. You can use the opening provided by an electrical switch plate or other device that is not being used. If you use all of them, you can always have fake ones installed.

You should find out how many years of experience your home security service has. A long-standing company has a track record in the industry that people can attest to. Being in the hands of a good company helps you have peace about your decision.

You can hide certain valuables within your walls. You don’t have to damage the walls to do so. Take a closer look at your walls and note just how many access points there are already. Perhaps you can use an old electricity socket as a place to hide your valuables.

Invest in a high quality paper shredder. Thieves can use this information to figure out your schedule and determine the best time to break in. Rip paper into tiny pieces if you can’t afford to purchase a paper shredder.

Are you aware of the value contained in your home’s wiring? A lot of people do not know this until a thief steals them from the house. The copper in the wiring is valuable and can be stripped off of the outside of the home in a relevantly short period of time. Make sure the wiring is concealed or difficult to access in order to keep this valuable item safe.

Your furry friend is a great home security system, too. Dogs protect your home by barking if something is wrong. That is not to say that a big, scary dog is required. Any size dog will drive criminals away, as the barking will be too much noise for them to be stealthy.

Purchase flashlights that have good batteries, and keep them in every room in your home in case the power goes out. Having a well-charged flashlight on hand is very beneficial in case of 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.

Find out about the various lengths of contracts your chosen home security company has on offer. Each probably has its own set of positives and negatives. A long term contract should have a lower monthly rate but it also requires you to commit for a long period of time. Shorter contracts offer greater freedom, but may be more expensive each month.

As the company that is doing your home security how long they’ve been providing this service. Companies that have been around for awhile show that they can provide reliable support. You may not feel as safe if you opt to go with a company that has not been in business for long or that does not have a stable history.

Always keep your shades, curtains and blinds closed when you are not at home. Intruders can look into your house if the blinds are up. If something desirable is visible, you can expect a break in. Do not forget to close your shades before going to bed.

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. Some burglars place fliers to see if they’ll be quickly removed. Fliers that are left behind signal to the burglar that there is no one at home.

If you want to hide your house key, find a spot that is not obvious. It’s easy to see fake rocks. Another obvious location is underneath the doormat. This will be one of the first places that a burglar will look for your spare key. A better plan is to ask someone you trust to keep your extra key in case you need it. If that isn’t possible, think outside the box when you hide it.

For improved security, put your home under video surveillance. Video cameras are a great deterrent. Visible cameras have a deterrent effect, and if they are disabled, hidden cameras can capture the events that unfold. Find a security system that gives you the option to view the video feed from your phone so you can check on your home at anytime.

Purchase a timer to put your lights on and off during the day. This is quite convenient because you won’t need to turn the lights off and on, and you won’t need to worry if you go away for a spell.

Could burglars see inside your garage? Make sure that they can’t! Add frosting to your window glass to keep folks from looking in the house. Avoid leaving the door open for extended periods of time.

Women are more likely than men to be a target for burglary. This is especially true if they live on their own with children. Put big boots on the front porch to give the appearance of a man residing inside the house. Criminals will think twice before breaching your security.

Don’t put the registration to your car in your glove box. This will prevent anyone from knowing where you reside. Hide them somewhere else in the car, or carry them with you. Your papers should be easy to access in case a police officer pulls you over.

Although locks that are sealed inside are fine, they won’t be too useful if you cannot lock them from outside. A deadbolt with keys on both the inside and outside of the door is best.

Take off your rose colored glasses and realize that bad things can happen to anyone. You need to be prepared for many different situations. Keep these tips in mind in order to keep your home safe.

Clean out all carbon monoxide and smoke detectors. Dust and lint can gradually build up on them, and if you do not clean your detectors on a regular basis, this can interfere with the sensors. For this reason, detectors will not do the job of detecting carbon monoxide and smoke.