It’s important that you and your family always feel safe in your home. It should be safe when they come home. Reading the following article is a great way to learn how you can keep your home safe and secure.

Man’s best friend can also be trusted to secure a spare key. But, this is only effective if your home has a pet door or your dog stays outdoors when you are not home. Attach the spare key to your dog’s collar. By doing this, you have a handy spare key whenever you need it.

Be sure your home always looks occupied. Keep your radio, TV and lights on timers. It’ll make it seem like someone is home. This is great for keeping a home safer from burglaries.

Home security systems aren’t just about sounding alarms. They can actually be set to chime whenever a monitored door is opened. This isn’t just for burglars; parents with young children can also use it as a valuable tool to know when their child has come inside.

Your dog can keep your spare house key for you. If your dog lives outside or is able to come and go through a dog door, this is a viable idea. You can purchase a special collar that will hold your spare key, so when you forget your keys your dog can let you in.

Secure your attached garage. Many people are concerned about people entering their garages to gain access to their homes. If your garage lifts up on a track, try using a C-clamp. This will prevent your door from opening up if the clamp is close to its roller.

Before leaving for vacation, turn off the ringers in your house. If the phone rings when you are away, burglars will know there’s nobody home, making the house vulnerable to a break-in when you are out.

Get rid of all of the dead wood and vegetation in your yard during the summer months. They are a potential fire hazard during warmer months. Clear up your yard so it looks good and is safe.

Do not invite strangers into your home. Even if someone has a good story, requires help or has a great product to sell, ignore them. Some people will knock on your door simply to see whether you have a security system.

Consult with your police department to find out about good programs for home protection. Home inspections or engraving identifiers can help protect you. A quick call to the non-emergency number at the police station in your town will tell you all you need to know.

Local Police

You need to have your security system checked once a year. Call the company and have them send someone to check it out. Your security system’s quality can be impacted by numerous factors, such as the weather and wild animals. You may not be able to tell there is an issue by yourself.

Take advantage of any and all security resources your local police force makes available to homeowners. There are plenty of things that can be done, from a safety walk to cataloging expensive items to help protect your investment and your family. Contact your local police department to find out if they offer this type of program.

Put up motion activated lighting. When a person approaches your home, the lights will blaze. You will receive advance warning of any potential issues, and a would-be intruder will probably be scared off. Just remember and change out the light bulbs whenever necessary.

You can hide things in your walls. You can hide small valuables inside the walls. Place them in switch plates, phone jacks or an electric outlet. A security store will sell fake plates you can install anywhere.

Don’t think you’re not at risk just because you don’t live in a big city. The risk is still there, so a home security system is vital. Then again, others think rural areas are not as much of a target.

Don’t throw away boxes for expensive or valuable items until the garbage collection day. Empty boxes for expensive new gear serve as advertisements to potentials thieves; don’t make it easy for them to spot such tempting targets.

Do not let people on the street see valuable items in your home. Large windows at the home’s front can be beautiful, but it can make it easier for criminals to see inside. Keep your windows covered and your belongings private.

The wiring outside of your home can be valuable. Many people do not realize this until a crook steals it off of their home. The copper component of wiring is very valuable and may be stripped from the outside of your home in a fairly short amount of time. Hide the wiring and make it harder to access to prevent this from happening.

Even if you’re not going to be gone long, keep your home locked. In a lot of cases, home intruders enter through unlocked doors. It does not take long for thieves to steal your expensive stuff.

If you are moving into a home that had a previous owner, then you should immediately change the locks. The previous tenant or owner may not have the keys, but you don’t know if they made copies for themselves or others. You can even buy and install the locks yourself so you know that you are the only one with a key.

Replace rotted wood that surrounds your door frame. Anyone can gain access to our home by prying away the rotted wood. Replace wood that is starting to rot with fresh new wood to keep your home as safe as possible.

When seeking out home security firms, the Internet is an indispensable tool. Research the possibilities, check out package options and pricing and analyze customer feedback. After that, choose your top three for consultations.

Before you let anyone into your house, thoroughly check their references. A background check which includes any criminal history is warranted. You might not know that the maid or contractor entering your home is a crook, and this could be a very bad mistake.

Consider home security and safety when you are planning your landscaping. Do not obstruct doors and windows with plants or furniture. If they can be seen, potential burglars will not be able to use them as hiding places before breaking in. Have your landscape several feet away from your house for better safety.

Motion sensitive lights are an inexpensive way to increase your home’s security. In the evening hours, this lighting can provide extra security and an economical way to light your front entrance way when you arrive. When placed appropriately, no one will be able to break in unannounced.

Look into wireless security systems. A wired system might cost less, but they can require extensive rewiring work and may be rendered useless if the power fails. The wireless systems are simpler to maintain and install and they don’t need power from the home to run.

As you work on your home’s landscape, don’t forget about safety. Do not obstruct doors and windows with plants or furniture. If you have them visible, people can’t hide in those areas while they try to break in. Keep this in mind as you design.

If you are out of town for awhile, ask a friend to take a look at your door for any fliers. Some intruders will place a flyer at your home to see if the flyer is removed immediately or not. Intruders can get a good idea of what your schedule is like or figure out that you are on vacation if the flyer stays on your door for a long time.

Have your home security company inspect your home and suggest safety improvements. All homeowners and homes differ. If you find a company that will tailor the plan you choose to your needs, you can get the highest level of security that makes you feel comfortable.

Man’s best friend can be one of the most effective anti-burglary systems. Dogs protect their territory diligently, and tend to make noise if something goes awry. It is not necessary to have an aggressive dog. Small dogs also have the ability to scare away burglars who definitely don’t want lots of ruckus when they appear.

Light up your home’s exterior. Dark houses invite burglars who prefer to operate under cover of darkness. Motion sensor lights can work great because they can also alert you when someone does come onto the property. This includes doorways and porches, the garage, and windows on ground floors which may invite intruders.

You now have the right information for your needs. Will you use these tips to make your own home safer? Continue to read all you can on the topic and you’ll find that you can quickly and easily secure your home and protect all that you love.

It might be time to get yourself a paper shredder if you haven’t already gotten one. A thief looking through your discarded papers can find a lot of information you do not want them to have. They may even learn your schedule, so they can burgle your home while you are away. Rip important documents in small pieces before throwing them away if you do not have a paper shredder.