Most people think securing their home is going to be a real hassle. However, this doesn’t have to be the case. Review these excellent tips for insight on some easy approaches to keep you and your family more secure in your home.

The only time you should give out house keys to house cleaners is if you absolutely trust them. 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. Carefully check their references. If you hire a cleaner from a company, then you should check the company with the BBB.

Make your home look occupied at all times. Purchase timers for electronics, lights, radios and TVs so that they will turn on and off at varied intervals. This gives off the appearance that someone is home. That means burglars will pass right by.

Get a safe to protect your valuable items. If a burglar enters your home, he or she will have a hard time making off with your possessions. Be sure to put your safe in an out of the way place like the basement, attic or under the floorboards.

Always take time to compare and research before investing in an expensive security system for your home. Different companies can provide equivalent levels of service and security, but their prices can vary wildly. Get a quote from several companies before making a final decision.

If you keep a spare key outside to prevent yourself from being locked-out, think carefully about where you hide it. Above a door frame or under a mat are not smart ideas. A better place to keep your key is inside your outside dog’s collar.

Purchase ceiling, flooring and roofing that is fire resistant. This will add an extra protection layer for your house, particularly if you live near power lines or in a dry location. Fire prevention is always a good idea, and sometimes it can be a lifesaving idea!

Make sure the ringer on any phones in your home is turned off when you leave for vacation. If the phone rings without you there, burglars will suspect that you’re not home, and that can make your home a target for an attack while you’re gone.

Before leaving for vacation, turn off the ringers in your house. When burglars hear phones ringing for an extended period of time in a home, they know that there is no one there to answer.

Never allow any strangers into your home. Even people who claim to need help may be out to harm you. Some people may simply be trying to determine whether or not you have a home security installed; if you don’t, they may plan to return later if you are away from your home.

Speak with the police in your town regarding the home security programs they have. Some police departments offer things like code numbers to help find your valuables should they get stolen. Call and see what is available.

Use your garage for what it was intended: your car. If your car is locked up inside, it cannot be stolen or vandalized. Hiding your car from plain view will also keep potential intruders from tracking when you are home and when you aren’t.

Regardless of the quality of your home security system, you need to have it checked each year. Get a professional in to check it out. There are many things that can be problematic with regards to home security systems, like wayward wild animals and the environment. If the problem cannot be seen, you probably won’t even realize there is one.

Use exterior lights that have motion sensors. These lights will turn on if anyone walks too closely to your home. Not only will you know that someone is out there, it will also deter burglars because they want to be inconspicuous. Remember to keep working bulbs in them at all times.

Your home security system ought to be checked each year. Ask a qualified worker who specializes in security systems to take a look. Wild animals, domestic pets, and weather are all factors that can affect the reliability of your home security system. You may not even know there is a problem if it is not visible.

Trust your instincts when it comes to hiring a home security company. This is doubly true when you feel unease about the installers. Never hesitate to has for a new technician or even go with a different company altogether. After all, the point of the system itself is to help you feel more at ease.

There is more to security than installing alarms. There are many options available to you including owning a gun and adding more locks to your home’s doors. Put these tips to use and enhance your home security today.

Have lights that are motion-sensor installed. Lights like these will automatically turn on whenever someone is near them. They help notify you of any movement around your house and deter burglars too. Don’t forget to replace the bulbs when they burn out.