Bad things usually happen when they are least expected. Do not put your home and loved ones at risk due to laziness. The advice below will make for a great start.

When you buy a new house, be sure the locks are changed. You don’t know how many keys have been handed out previously. Having a locksmith replace the locks will ensure that no strangers have a key. You should also do this if your keys ever get lost.

Buy a safe for very valuable items in the house so you can keep them inside a single location. This ensures during a break in that the most important things are not stolen. Your safe should be placed somewhere it is not readily noticeable.

Do you keep your dog outside if you leave the home? He or she is actually a great place to store your spare key. Hook your key to the dog’s collar in a place that is shielded from view. This works especially well as storage if your pet isn’t too fond of strangers.

Compare different systems when looking into home security. Some companies offer comparable levels of protection that can be priced very differently. Obtain quotes from a minimum of three home security companies before making a final decision.

Buy housing materials that are fire resistant. This will make your home more safe, especially if you are in a dry climate that has many power lines. It’s best to prevent a fire before it starts.

Hiding places for spare keys must be chosen with extreme care and caution. 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.

Don’t let everyone in your social network know that you are leaving the home unprotected for your vacation trip; especially the people who you aren’t familiar with. Although it’s fun to talk about, posting it online makes it more possible for criminals to find out when you’re gone.

Before selecting any home-security company, talk to your friends to see who they suggest. Other people will probably have personal experience with these companies that are either good or bad. They can share their experiences with you, which will greatly assist you in making the best decision. Do your research; it will help you make a good decision in the end.

Ask friend for any advice they have prior to purchasing a security system or service. Your loved ones likely have dealt with this situation before. Sometimes, you may get great advice from the people you know.

Use your garage for your car and not for storage. Keeping your car in your house will deter intruders from vandalizing or stealing it. Hiding your car away from plain view is a good way to keep intruders from knowing when you are at home or not.

Never let a stranger inside. This includes a salesperson or people looking for help. 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.

If you live more out in the country, you may think that you’re not at risk. Some people feel that rural residents lead riskier lives because they are far away from neighbors. You need to do some research on the areas where you live to get an idea of how frequent break ins are.

Do you have skylights? If so, you should keep them in mind when protecting your home. Intruders could use skylights to enter your home. Make sure that you use safety hardware when the skylights are installed and maintained.

Do not open your door for anyone you don’t know. There are people who are going to be convincing, but they can just be professional thieves. Create the rule that you just open a door to people that you expect to arrive.

Don’t put your spare keys under floor mats or plants. Instead of letting you into your home in the event you are locked out, you are providing criminals with easy access to your home. Burglars are well aware of such hiding places. Try having your trustworthy neighbors hold spare keys.

Lock your home when you leave, even if you don’t think you will be away for long. Many burglaries happen because the intruders can just walk right inside. A thief can steal your most valuable possessions in a short amount of time.

When summer comes around, eliminate all vegetation and dead wood from your yard. This can be a fire hazard, especially if you live in an area with high heat. Be sure all sorts of flammable items are kept under control around your home.

Make sure all the wood around your doors is in great shape. A burglar can easily strip away wood that has rotted. As a result, this will assist them in breaking into your home. Replace dead wood with thick, firm pieces to maintain a high level of security.

Make sure to ask for identification for any home security company representative. Burglars are creative, and they often pose as a member of the security team to get inside. This leads to danger. Be careful to avoid this sort of danger.

Even if you have a great security system, it must be checked annually. Ask the security company to send a technician out to give your system a thorough inspection. Many different things can make problems for your security system. If you don’t see the problem, you may remain unaware of it.

Add motion detector lighting to the exterior of your home for increased security. At night, not only will these lights be handy to light up areas around your home,they are also a cost-effective and efficient security addition. When they are positioned correctly, they make it pretty much impossible for intruders to get to your house unnoticed.

Be certain to read the entire contract when you hire a home security firm. Look out for hidden charges and surprises, especially if you need to cancel the contract early. Avoid as many fees as you can by reading everything.

Trust your instincts when it comes to hiring a home security company. Don’t hire anyone who makes you uncomfortable. Do not hesitate to ask for a different person to install the system or even consider hiring a different company. Security is supposed to give you peace of mind after all!

The Internet is your friend when searching for a home security company, so you should use it wisely. Many websites offer reviews, recommendations, and detailed pricing information. You’ll find it easy to narrow your choice down to three top contenders; your next step is to arrange to meet each of them to discuss your specific security needs.

A dog is a great alarm system. Dogs protect your home by barking if something is wrong. It is not necessary to have an aggressive dog. Even tinier canines can ward off intruders with enough noise.

Do you have skylights? If so, you should keep them in mind when protecting your home. Intruders could use skylights to enter your home. Make sure that you use safety hardware when the skylights are installed and maintained.

Put the shades down on your windows when you are out. If you don’t, others can look in and see that the property is currently unoccupied. They might see something worth breaking in to get. You ought to turn the curtains down if you are sleeping as well.

Make sure that your key is in a hidden place. It is easy to find fake rocks. A doormat is obvious, and a burglar is sure to look there. You should just give a spare key to a trusted neighbor instead. If you cannot do that, try to be creative when it comes to hiding places.

Always lock your home, even if you plan on coming back within a few minutes. This is often a surprise, but the majority of burglaries are due to someone just waltzing right into an unlocked home. A burglar can steal a lot of expensive stuff in a short amount of time.

Unfortunately, burglars can be extremely unpredictable. As a result, knowing when your home may be targeted can be difficult. Rather than hoping this will not be a problem for you, make your home safer. Keep these tips in mind, and start looking for a quality home security system.