Some people avoid the home security process, because they think it will be long and drawn out. But, it doesn’t have to be difficult. Here are some ways that you can make your house more secure, starting today.

Spare Key

It is a good idea to replace all the locks on the new home you buy. You don’t know who might have a key. You want to be sure that you’re the only one with a key. Also, if you ever lose your keys, do the same.

Put your spare key on your dog. This will only be ideal if you have a dog door or an outdoor dog. Attach the spare key to your dog’s collar. By doing this, you have a handy spare key whenever you need it.

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 they work for a firm, call the local Better Business Bureau to find out that firm’s reputation.

Home security systems have different kinds of features that can sound an alarm when someone breaks into your house. They often even alert you to any time a door is opened. This is important to parents who have small children, because they will want to know if the children have opened a door.

Do you keep your dog outside when you aren’t home? If so, you can use your dog to hide your spare key. Hook your key to the dog’s collar in a place that is shielded from view. This is the perfect place to store a spare key, especially if your dog doesn’t care for strangers.

Be smart about where you decide to hide spare keys. Hiding it beneath the doormat is very common and most intruders will look there. Hide your alternative key on your dog’s collar.

Don’t make a habit of giving strangers access to your home. This includes a salesperson or people looking for help. Some people will knock on your door simply to see whether you have a security system.

Even if you have a great security system, it must be checked annually. This should be performed by a technician from your security company. A number of things may cause your alarm system to have problems, including mother nature and wild animals. Sometimes it is very difficult to see the problem if you don’t know where it is.

It will not benefit you to be shy. Talk to your neighbors. Keep on eye on their home and ask neighbors to return the favor. Don’t discount what sounds like idle gossip. You might actually learn a thing or two concerning people that have been hanging around.

In the summer, remove all the dead trees from your yard. As it gets hotter, the chances of these igniting and putting your house at risk increase. Clear up your yard so it looks good and is safe.

Use motion sensor lights. These lights will turn on if anyone walks too closely to 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. Make sure you keep fresh light bulbs in your motion activated lights so that they will work correctly.

When it comes to securing your home, start by changing your locks. Has a roommate or ex-lover moved out recently? If so, then you need to change out the locks in order to keep you and your home safe. Changing locks is not very expensive and should be done within a few hours.

If you have a garage, increase your home security by using it to house your car, rather than just for storage. You will not have to worry about thieves taking your car if it is inside your garage. Keeping your car in your garage also keeps a thief from knowing whether you are at home or not.

These tips should help you create a safe environment for your family. Purchasing a firearm, building a fence and acquiring additional locks are all options available to you. Put these tips to use and enhance your home security today.