You likely know someone who has been the victim of a home burglary. Home break-ins are increasing, so people should be extra vigilant about protecting their home. Anyone can be a target. This article discusses strategies for increasing your home’s security.

You can hide your spare key on your dog. This is a great idea if your dog is outside all the time, or they can get out through a doggy door. Just place your key on your dog’s collar.

Only provide your house cleaner with a key if you trust him or her implicitly. Anyone you give the keys to your home to should be unarguably honest. Make sure you verify all references. If they work for a firm, call the local Better Business Bureau to find out that firm’s reputation.

You should only provide a house cleaner your key if you completely trust them. Before you give a cleaner full access to your home for extended periods of time, you have to be certain that they’re trustworthy and reliable. Check references thoroughly. If you hire a cleaner from a company, then you should check the company with the BBB.

Do you let your dog outside when you leave the house? This pet may be an excellent storing spot for your spare key. Conceal it in the dog’s collar. If you have a pet that does not trust strangers, this can help you get into your house if needed.

Setting off an alarm during a burglary is just one of the valuable functions a good security system can perform. Many systems can alert you whenever anyone has entered your home. 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.

Buy a safe and use it to hold all of the valuables in your home. You can’t have your valuable personal items and jewelry out in the open for anyone to see. Hide the safe in a very hard to reach place like the attic or a closet in the basement.

Check around for prices, reputation, and reliability when choosing a home security provider. Prices vary quite a bit. Get a quote from several companies before making a final decision.

Do not post on your social media accounts regarding when you will be away on vacation. While you may want to shout it from the rooftops, you’re letting everyone know that your home will be vacant and easy to rob.

Don’t allow anyone you don’t know to look into your house. Be wary of those who come to your door selling products, asking for help, or telling sob stories. These people might want to actually do you harm or could be casing out your house for a future break-in.

Talk to your local police department about what they offer. Home inspections or engraving identifiers can help protect you. Discuss the possibility of this sort of program with your police department.

Secure your garage. Intruders can enter your home through an unlocked garage door. You can use a C-clamp to stop the door from being opened.

There’s no security system so durable that it can go without regular maintenance and inspections. Have yours checked out once a year. Ask a qualified worker who specializes in security systems to take a look. There are many things that can reduce the quality of your system. The problem might not be obvious to you, though.

See what your local police department offers in terms of home protection programs. There are many that offer programs that include items, such as home inspection, how to use engraving tools to mark code numbers to identify valuables if yours are stolen, and protective measures advice. Get in touch today.

You should not be shy. Be friendly with people that live in the neighborhood. Watch their homes and ask them if they’ll watch yours as well. Don’t ignore any gossip either. 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.

Be outgoing. Talk to your neighbors. Keep on eye on their home and ask neighbors to return the favor. Don’t ignore the gossip. You will learn a lot from your neighbors, including details about recent break ins in the area and the shady individuals they noticed.

Motion sensor lights on the exterior of your home is a great idea. They’ll flip on when people walk within a certain distance of your house. You will be alerted to movement, but most importantly, it will deter burglars or at least make you aware of their presence. Just remember to change out the bulbs every so often so the lights remain in working order.

Always change the locks if you have someone move out of your home. Perhaps your roommate left town or you have gone through a messy divorce, and you need to feel that the home is safe. You can change the locks in a single day, and the hardware is not very costly.

Changing the locks is a fundamental part of adding security to the home. As time passes, keys end up getting into the wrong hands. It shouldn’t cost too much, and the process can be completed very quickly.

Always go with your gut when it comes to choosing a security firm. This is especially true if you are uneasy with those who are installing the actual system. You can decide to use a different company, or ask for a different person to install it. Your security system is supposed to help you, not cause you more stress.

Security System

You can hide things in your walls. Small valuables fit nicely inside walls. Just use an unwired electric plug, light switch or phone box. Anything not used currently makes a good spot for hiding.

Go with your instincts when choosing a security system company. 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. Do some background research on the company you select, and look for people who make you feel safe.

You can hide certain valuables within your walls. It is not necessary to cut out pieces from your wall. Many places around your house have areas that are already pre-cut. For example, you might remove the cover of an electrical outlet, disconnect the wires, and use the space to hide small valuables.

Walls are excellent hiding spots. This is a great way to hide jewelry, for example. Use an old switch plate, outlet or phone jack. Even if every single plate in your home is being used, you can purchase a fake one purpose-built for concealing valuables.

Do not let people on the street see valuable items in your home. Large windows let in light and give you a great view outside, but that works both ways. Blinds are a great way to allow the light in, without allowing people to see in at the same time.

Replace all locks in a new house. While the person that previously had the home may seem okay, you don’t know who they actually are. Keep in mind that other people may have lived in the home prior to the seller.

If you have just moved into a new home, have every single lock replaced. Regardless of how you feel about the sellers, you never know someone’s true intentions. Keep in mind that there may have been residents prior to that person too.

See how long the home security company has been around before you make any decisions. Many years of service bode well for the company’s performance. It can ease your mind when you know you’re not doing business with a company that might not be around tomorrow.

Screen the references of anyone who would have access to your house. It wouldn’t hurt to also perform a background check. You never really know if you can trust a service person, and giving access to the wrong one can prove disastrous.

Don’t believe that only big expensive houses are susceptible to burglary. Thieves target any house that looks like it can be easily broken into. Protect your family and your home against burglars by following the tips presented here.

Always use online resources to identify the very best home security firm. Read through official websites for different companies and look for reviews written by customers. After reading about these services, you can narrow down the results and use appointments for price comparisons.