Every homeowner must maximize efforts to secure his home. While you may think the only thing you have to do is get an alarm system put into your home, there are a lot of other things that can be done. Continue to read to learn what other options you have to boost your home’s security.

Always make your house appear to be occupied. You can purchase inexpensive timers that will control different electronics and lights in your home. It’ll make it seem like someone is home. This will keep people from breaking in.

Do you keep your dog outdoors when you are away from home? You could let your dog carry a spare key. Stash the key on the pup’s collar to keep it out of sight. This is the perfect place to store a spare key, especially if your dog doesn’t care for strangers.

It is crucial that you change the locks as soon as you move into a new residence. You will want to have a unique combination to stay secure. To ensure that you are the only one who has access to your house, call a locksmith. You should also have your locks changed if you lose your keys.

If you like to have a key hidden in case you lose yours, place it in a safe place. 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.

If you like to have a key hidden in case you lose yours, place it in a safe place. You don’t want to put them in common spots, such as above the frame of the door or under the doormat. A better place to keep your key is inside your outside dog’s collar.

Be outgoing. Introduce yourself to your neighbors. Look out for their property, and see if they will look out for yours. Don’t disregard gossip either. You never know what sort of security issues you might become privy to.

Is your ceiling resistant to fire? What about your flooring or roofing? This helps protect your home when you dwell in a more dry climate. Fire prevention is always a good idea, and sometimes it can be a lifesaving idea!

Changing your locks first can help make your home much more secure. This could be an ex-spouse or roommate you got into a fight with. This is a very easy process that you can complete within a day.

Do not let people you don’t know in your house. This includes a salesperson or people looking for help. This person might just be casing the joint to see if there is home security equipment.

Go with your instincts when choosing a security system company. If you don’t feel comfortable with the technician, don’t allow them access to your home. If you are unsure, contact the security company to make sure that the installer was actually sent by them. Remember, the new security apparatus is meant to make you feel safe and secure.

Eliminate dead vegetation and rotting wood from the yard each summer. You risk a house fire if that sits there during the heat of the summer and catches fire. Always clear the yard to ensure safety.

Place your valuables in cut-outs in your walls. It’s not necessary to cut out parts of your wall to do this. Your home should have a few pre-cut areas that can be used. How about unwiring an electricity socket and using it as cover for a place to stash valuable jewelry?

Remember to have an annual inspection of your home security system. Get a security comapny tech to check it. A number of factors can cause problems with your security system, including wild animals and mother nature. You may not know there’s an issue if you can’t see it.

It is important that your valuables are not visible from anywhere outside your house. Having large windows in front of your home may be a great way to see what is happening outside, but it can also give crooks a view inside your home. If your windows are facing the street, make sure you cover them and protect your valuables.

Listen to your intuition as to whether your system is being installed by a trustworthy home security company. This is especially important when it comes to the company employees who will be installing your system. Don’t hesitate asking for another technician or get another company. At the end of the day, your efforts are so that you feel more comfortable.

Always lock your home when you leave it, no matter how soon you plan to return. Most burglars gain entry to a home through an unlocked door. Once a thief is inside, he can steal a lot of valuables in a short amount of time.

Are you aware of the fact that your home wiring is worth money? Most people are unaware of this fact until a burglar takes it from their house. The reason they are valuable is because of their copper. A burglar can easily strip off your wires from the outside of your home very quickly. Make sure your wiring is hidden or hard to access to keep this valuable property safe.

The alarm system you choose should protect more than just the doors to your home. Burglars often enter through windows as well. Be sure your home alarm covers all entry points into your home. The safety of your family will be ensured.

The number one thing you must do if you’re moving into a new place is have the locks changed. Although the tenant before might have turned their key in, they might still have a duplicate key. You can also put the locks on yourself so you can be sure no one else has a key.

Since reading this article, there is no excuse for your home to be unsafe. While it might seem like a lot of work, it is imperative that you do all you can to ensure the safety of your home and your family. You can do this by applying what you’ve learned here.

Don’t limit security to the inside of your home; the outside needs attention too. Keep your doors and windows clear of any shrubbery. If they are visible, people won’t be able to hide there while trying 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.