A safe home is the only place worth living in. You want to know that while your family is away, your home remains secure. You should keep reading for some useful tips that will help you keep your home and your family safe.

Your faithful dog makes a great hiding spot for 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. Put a key on the dog’s collar so you have access to it when necessary!

Only provide your house cleaner with a key if you trust him or her implicitly. If you plan to give them a key so they can clean in your home while you are away, ensure they are reputable and honest. Ask for references and check them thoroughly. If this professional is from a company, it’s best to check with the Better Business Bureau to see what kind of reputation they have.

After getting a new home, make sure to change its locks. You will want to have a unique combination to stay secure. Have a locksmith install a brand new lock. Also, if you lose your keys, change the locks.

Security System

Don’t give the keys to your home to a professional cleaner unless you trust them completely. Be sure to check out the background of any housekeeper you plan to provide with a key to your home. Ask for references and check them thoroughly. If your cleaning person comes from a company, check with the BBB.

Always take time to compare and research before investing in an expensive security system for your home. Wild variations in pricing can exist for similar security products. Get at least 3 quotes from security system companies and compare features and services as well as monthly costs.

Do you have an outdoor dog? He or she is actually a great place to store your spare key. Attach your spare key inside the collar of your dog. This works especially well as storage if your pet isn’t too fond of strangers.

If you have an attached garage, make sure it is secure. Some people are concerned about burglars entering through an attached garage. A C-clamp placed on the garage door track will stop it from opening when you don’t want it to.

Some home security systems have additional security features besides sounding an alarm to deter a burglar. Many systems can alert you whenever anyone has entered your home. This can be useful if you’ve got small children that are able to open doors.

In the summertime, you should rid your yard of dead bushes and vegetation. These can pose a fire hazard due to heat and storms with lightning. Clear your yard often if you want to prevent a fire from starting.

Use a safe to protect your valuables. You would hate for your expensive jewelry, personal family belongings, etc. to be stolen in case a burglar breaks into your home. Hide that safe in a difficult-to-reach place like in a closet inside your basement or an attic.

End your shyness. Engage your neighbors in conversation. Watch their homes for suspicious activity and get their word that they will do the same thing for you. Listen for gossip too. You could learn important security information, such as if strangers have been lurking around the neighborhood.

When you set out to purchase home security equipment, remember to comparison shop. 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 dealing with companies that install home security systems, it’s important to trust your gut. You are giving someone unlimited access to your home, so be sure the installer doesn’t give you a bad vibe. Make sure that the installer has experience installing your type of security system. After all, the point of the system itself is to help you feel more at ease.

Keep your car in the garage. It won’t be vandalized or stolen this way. It will also keep any intruders from knowing when you’re home.

If you reside in a small town or rural area, then you might not be as worried about someone breaking into your home as city dwellers may be. Some people think that country folk are mainly targeted since they don’t have nearby neighbors. However, understand that regardless of where you live, a theft can occur anywhere. Therefore, you need to be prepared.

Do you have skylights? If so, you should keep them in mind when protecting your home. Skylights are a great addition to any home, but they are also tempting entryways for crooks. Be sure that the skylights for your home are durable and reliable.

Walls can be a great hiding spot. If you have small valuables you want to protect, consider hiding them inside your walls. Just use an unwired electric plug, light switch or phone box. If you don’t have unused plates, it’s easy to put in a fake one.

Never throw out boxes for expensive items until the day your trash is picked up. Letting such packaging sit out will signal to criminals that there are good things to be found in your house.

It is not a good idea to hide a spare key on your property. You are allowing people to invade your home when you make it easy for them. Any thief knows all the typical hiding spots. If you have a neighbor you can trust, have them hold your extra key.

You should have several flashlights and batteries in all your rooms. Flashlights are essential since they let you move around in an emergency. Make sure everyone in your family knows where the flashlights are.

Regardless of how long you plan on being away from your home, always lock all the doors and windows whenever you leave. Most break-ins and burglaries occur because a door is left open and an intruder just walks in. It does not take a long time for a robber to pilfer items worth thousands of dollars.

When a security company wants in your home ask for an ID and see if they’re in uniform. Posing as a security professional is an excellent way for an experienced thief to get inside your house and plan a less-friendly return visit. This can be risky for you and your belongings. You want to use caution to prevent danger.

Looking for some expert advice? Go no further. The next step is to put it into practice and make your home secure. Keep learning about home security. Technology is rapidly advancing, changing the industry along with it. Stay up to date, and everyone stays safe.

Motion sensitive lights are an inexpensive way to increase your home’s security. These lights will keep your property well lit and give you a good idea of who approaches your home. Intruders will not be able to sneak into your home if you place your motion detector in the right spot.