Your home may be in danger and you may not even know it. You don’t want to put yourself in a dangerous situation because you’ve failed to have a plan for protection. Continue reading this article to help you keep your home safe from those criminals.

Protect your spare key by using your dog. But, this is only effective if your home has a pet door or your dog stays outdoors when you are not home. Place the alternative key on your dog’s collar in case of an emergency.

You can hide your spare key on your dog. However, this method is only effective if your dog is large, scary, and stays outdoors. Attach the key to your dog’s collar, and it will be handy if you ever need a spare.

When placing your spare key outside for emergencies, give careful consideration to where you put it. It is very common for homeowners to hide them under a mat or above the framing of their door, and intruders know this. Think outside the box and put the key someplace unusual, like hidden in your dog’s collar.

Change all of your locks when you move in. You’re not aware of any copies that have been made by the previous owners of the house. To make sure you’re the only person that can get into your home, contact a locksmith. Also, if you ever lose your keys, do the same.

Don’t use social media to announce that you will be gone for an extended period of time. Although your first instinct is to share the news about an upcoming trip that excites you, the info may well fall into the hands of people who’d be interested in burglarizing your home while you’re away.

Be very cautious about entrusting a maid service with a key to your home. Be sure any home cleaner you give your key to is trustworthy and reputable. It is best to do a reference check on them. If you hire a cleaner from a company, then you should check the company with the BBB.

Avoid coming across as overly shy. Get to know other people who live next door and others in your neighborhood. Keep an eye on their houses and yards and request that they return the favor. Don’t discount what sounds like idle gossip. This might provide you with some valuable information, at times related to security, including information about potential strangers who you might not want near your home.

Compare various home security systems when shopping. Prices can differ a lot among companies for the same type of protection. Be sure and get a minimum of three quotes from different companies prior to choosing one.

When choosing a home security firm, trust your instincts. You should be very picky when it comes to letting people inspect your home. If you don’t feel comfortable, go with someone else. The point of having a security system is to make yourself feel at ease.

Aim to purchase fire-resistant ceilings, roofs and floors. This will make your home more safe, especially if you are in a dry climate that has many power lines. Fire is such a destructive force that it makes excellent sense to reduce fire hazards in your home whenever possible.

Walls are great for hiding items. You can hide small valuables in your walls. Target any unused phone jacks or electrical outlets for an easy hiding spot. If there are no unused plates, you can easily install fake ones.

Get advice from your friends before selecting a provider for home security. You can learn a lot from people who have already dealt with these companies. Spending a few days asking for reviews is useful in helping you choose correctly.

It is not a good idea to hide a spare key on your property. While you may need to prepare if you have a spare key, it is wise to choose ways that do not increase the risk of a criminal gaining entrance to your home. For obvious reasons, experienced burglars know every possible hiding spot. Rather, give the key to a neighbor to hold.

Don’t open your door for strangers. People try many ways to convince others to open up their doors so that they can commit burglary or worse. Create a rule where you only allow those you’ve invited to your home inside.

While choosing your alarm system, ask about protection for windows and motion detection as well as doors. All windows can be entry spots for thieves. You want to be sure that the alarm is connected to all windows and entry points. This is a way to make sure your family will be safe.

Don’t be shy. It is important to communicate with others who also live in your area. Keep an eye out for their houses, and request that they return the favor. It does not necessarily pay to steer clear of gossip. You may find out helpful information about strangers lurking around.

If you purchase big-ticket items, don’t throw their boxes in the trash before trash day. Exposing the box to view ahead of time signals a burglar that he will find this item in your home.

Always go with your gut when it comes to choosing a security firm. Don’t hire anyone who makes you uncomfortable. Never be afraid to ask for a new installer or to get an entirely new firm. You want your new system to protect you, not be the way the thief gets into your home.

Rotten wood on door and window frames needs to be repaired. If a person wants to enter your home, rotted wood can easily be pried away. Always replace rotting wood with fresh wood immediately to keep your house strong and secure.

Walls are great for hiding things. If you have valuables that are small in size, you may want to hide them within your walls. You can use the opening provided by an electrical switch plate or other device that is not being used. If you have no unused plates, you can put in a fake one.

Always get references from anyone you are considering hiring to do work inside your home. Don’t be afraid of conducting background checks to determine if they have a criminal history. Someone can seem nice and professional on the outside, but they may not be so nice on the inside.

Don’t give outside people the ability to see into your home. You might enjoy large windows so you can see out, but just remember that makes it easier for those burglars to see inside your home as well. You should cover any windows that are facing the street so your valuables will be safe.

Get a custom-designed plan that fits your needs by having the security company do a site visit in your home. They should take your concerns seriously and address any issues you have. If you are able to secure a company willing to tailor a system to your needs, there is a good chance that you will be satisfied.

Security System

Think about your specific needs and risks prior to investigating security systems. While these systems could be good for protecting your family, they aren’t for everyone. You could, for instance, invest in an alarm system, some outside lights, adopt a dog or take some self-defense classes. Be sure to assess the risk level you face before making big decisions.

Hide the wires of your home security system. An intruder can easily disable your security system by cutting the wires. Keep the wires hidden in the walls or underground to keep intruders from getting in. Keep yourself safe.

A great way to deter criminals from getting into the garage is to make sure nobody sees inside it. Frost your windows so people cannot look inside your home. Don’t leave your front door unlocked or standing open when you are working in the garage or yard.

Before letting a home security representative inside, ask for identification. Criminals can easily pretend to be from a security firm as a means to gain entry to the house. This can be extremely dangerous to your home and loved ones. Take care to steer clear of danger.

Keeping people out of various areas of your home does not have to involve using multiple locks and keys. Install key-less locks instead. These locks use codes instead of keys. You can have your home security company install it for you, or you can do it yourself.

Security Systems

Inquire about different choices for contract lengths available from the home security provider. These lengths can be both good and bad. Longer contracts may offer more affordable monthly payments; however, it may be hard to cancel that contract should you decide to change services or sell your house. Shorter contracts have more freedom, but the monthly costs could be higher.

Before checking out security systems for your home, think about your personal security and safety needs. Although they can be very helpful, security systems aren’t always necessary. Sometimes you may just want to invest in a dog or self-defense classes. Know what you want and make your decisions based on that.

Don’t keep your car registration inside the glove compartment. Anyone with access to your car can find out where you live, so it is not a smart thing to do. You should carry them with you or find some other hiding place inside your vehicle. They must still be easily accessible should you be stopped by police.

Predicting what intruders will do is hard, which is why it is best to protect yourself against many possibilities. Don’t take a chance of a burglar invading your home. Do what is necessary to make it secure. Remember what you have learned, and do some research on your own so as to protect your family.

If your door has a numeric lock, make sure the combination isn’t your birthday. Anyone can get personal information online which they can use to access your home. Make it something that is unique and that you can remember.