Every homeowner needs to take active steps to maintain home security. But, home invasions are very common these days, just as much other damage is, like floods and fires. The following article has some great information to help keep your home safe and secure.

Man’s best friend can also be trusted to secure a spare key. This will come in handy if your dog is outdoors most of the time or if it can go outside through a pet door. You can attach a copy of your key to the dog’s collar, so when you need that spare, you’ve got one handy!

It is important for your home to always look lived in. Use timers to make electronic devices and lights turn on and off at intervals. This makes it appear that someone is home. That means burglars will pass right by.

Any time you buy a new home, have the locks changed. There is no way to ascertain how many keys the previous owner handed out. To make sure your home can only be accessed by you, enlist the help of a locksmith. You should also have your locks changed if you lose your keys.

Home security systems do more than sounding an alarm in case of a break in. They often even alert you to any time a door is opened. This is a good way to know if your small child has opened a door or closed it.

Comparison shop when you are ready to buy a home security system. You would be surprised to see that the prices are much different for each company, even though it’s for the same type of protection. Be certain to obtain multiple quotes prior to making your choice.

Buy a safe so you can conceal your valuables in it. A safe is the best way to protect your diamonds, gold and important documents. Keep your safe in your basement or attic to make it hard to find.

You should invest in fire-resistant roofing, flooring and ceiling. This will make your home more safe, especially if you are in a dry climate that has many power lines. Stopping fire hazards is a key precaution to take since the damage it causes can be considerable.

Consider the advice of your friends when selecting your home security company. They probably have both positive and negative things to tell you, and those comments will help you make your own decision. Taking a little time to listen can make you a much better decision maker when it comes to home security.

Ask friend for any advice they have prior to purchasing a security system or service. This will help you to reduce the stress that you have on your search for a good one. Ask around to get lots of advice for making a better choice.

Consider changing your locks as a part of your home security program. Anyone from an old roommate to a former tenant could have access to your home if you leave the old locks in place. Changing locks is not very expensive and should be done within a few hours.

When planning to go away for a holiday, be sure to turn off the ringers on your home phones. If your phone is ringing while you are out, burglars will realize that no one is home, making your home very vulnerable to an attack during your time away.

After moving into a pre-owned apartment or home, change the locks. Although it’s normal for owners / tenants to surrender their keys when they leave, there’s no way of knowing who else might have copies. If you own, you can have the locks replaced and only you will have had the key.

Check someone’s references carefully before letting them come into your home. A background check may also be a good idea. You need to be very careful with the contractors, repairmen or maids you trust with being alone in your home.

Don’t let strangers into your home. Many people are devising many different schemes to get into homes and burglarize them. Keep a hard, fast rule that says you only open the door for invited guests in order to keep your family safe.

To increase your home’s security, buy some outdoor lights that are motion activated. In the evening, lights will help keep your home safe, and will add little in the way of extra expense. If positioned correctly on the exterior of your home, the motion detectors make it virtually impossible for an intruder to sneak onto your property.

Think about safety when designing your home. All of your windows and doors should be unobstructed by plants, shrubs, trees or fences. If windows and doors can be easily seen from all areas, then burglars cannot hide as well, which will hinder their plans. This will give your home additional safety.

If you’ve got a garage, boost home security just by using it for only a car instead of storage. This will keep thieves from stealing it or harming it. Keeping your car in your garage also keeps a thief from knowing whether you are at home or not.

Keep your home’s exterior areas illuminated well. Criminals love darkness to help mask their crimes. So it’s smart to put a light in typically darker corners around your home. This extends to doorways, porches, garages and lower windows.

Think about your personal security needs before you purchase a home security system. Although automated electronic systems are powerful, they’re not necessarily the cost-effective solution for every home. In some situations, having a good dog and/or learning some self defense may be all that you really need to feel safe. Comprehend the risks associated with your home security so you now can make a more well-informed buying decision.

Look for an alarm system that does more than protect your doors. Windows are a way for thieves to enter your home as well. Be sure your home alarm covers all entry points into your home. They are the most effective.

Keeping a dog provides a great way to boost your home’s defense. Dogs naturally protect their homes and they make lots of noise when things go wrong. It doesn’t need to be a huge dog either. Any dog who barks, small or large, can scare off a burglar.

If you want to keep certain rooms in your home private, you don’t need to lock every door with a key. Use a code-access lock for any door you don’t want others opening. These can be installed either by you, or a home security company.

Your first priority when you move to an apartment or house where others have lived in before is to replace all the locks. Although the tenant before might have turned their key in, they might still have a duplicate key. Find a reliable locksmith who can replace the locks or do it yourself.

It’s very important to close your curtains in the evening, especially where your home faces the street. You don’t need to have an invitation to people through your window. If criminals can clearly view what’s going on in your house, it makes it easier for them to commit crimes. Be careful about what you expose to the public so that your likelihood of a burglary will decrease.

The windows on your second floor always need to be locked. Many folks forget about these, thinking ignorantly that burglars don’t check. This simply isn’t the case. This represents a flaw in any home’s security scheme, and criminals know they can take advantage.

To increase your home’s security, buy some outdoor lights that are motion activated. Cost-effective and aesthetically pleasing, these lights really add value to your home. They also help to keep intruders away, because an intruder does not want to come close to your property if they know they might be spotted.

Captive keylock deadbolts are your best bet. This type of device comes equipped with a thumb latch. This prevents manual opening of the lock via a nearby broken window. As a safety measure, keep the key inserted on the inside, so if there is a fire you will be able to open the door quickly.

Every homeowner needs to take the necessary precautions to protect their home and property from potential threats like thieves or vandals. This very article will contain several different ideas and suggestions that will help protect your family and your home from these threats. Implement all these ideas in order to get the most out of your home security efforts.

Keeping your home well lit at night can help keep the burglars away. They don’t want visibility. By minimizing dark and shady areas, you are taking away a potential burglar’s hiding spots. Keep your lights turned on during the night.