You should worry about your home’s security. You can’t tell just when a burglar might break in to take valuables or hurt people. Read this article if you want to make your house more secure.

You can hide your spare key on your dog. This really only works if you’ve got an outdoor dog or if you’ve got a pet door. Put a key on the dog’s collar so you have access to it when necessary!

Be very cautious about entrusting a maid service with a key to your home. Make sure they are honest, reputable and hardworking. All references should be checked. If the cleaner has been sent by a company, call the Better Business Bureau to check on the company’s reputation.

If you need to leave a key for a maid service, make sure that that whoever cleans your house is professional and trustworthy. If they need the keys and plan on being in there for more than an hour, try to ensure that they are honest, hardworking, and reputable. Read through their references very carefully, and don’t hesitate to follow up on their references to ensure they actually exist. If you are using a cleaning firm, make sure it has an excellent Better Business Bureau rating.

Ask friends for some advice before choosing home security companies and systems. Other people are sure to have opinions and experiences to share. Ask around so that you can have the advice that you need to make a good choice.

A good security system has many more features than sounding the alarm during a break-in. Modern systems are often capable of detecting any open door or window and announcing that fact. This is important if you have small kids.

You need to secure your garage if it is attached to your home. You can prevent this from happening easily. If the garage door lifts via a track, you can use a C-clamp to stop your door from opening at the hands of intruders.

It can be a good idea to only leave one ringer on in your home when you are away. If your phone rings and is not being answered, criminals will realize that you’re away.

Take advantage of any and all security resources your local police force makes available to homeowners. Many have quite a few helpful programs that you take, like on self-defense or other things related to your home. Speak with the police in your area to see if they have these things.

Secure your garage. Some people are concerned about burglars entering through an attached garage. However, you can use a C-clamp to help keep the door secure.

Be sure to keep your car in your garage rather than filling your garage with stored belongings. In this way, your car will be safer. It won’t be vandalized or stolen this way. This can also keep people from knowing your schedule.

Use your garage for what it was intended: your car. This will keep thieves from stealing it or harming it. Hiding the car from plain sight can keep possible intruders from figuring out when you’re home and also when you are not.

Make sure to have your home inspection system maintained on at least an annual basis. Get someone from the security firm to inspect it. Many factors cause issues with security systems like nature and wild animals. You might not even discover these problems if they aren’t easily sighted.

Your home security system ought to be checked each year. This is a job for professionals; get a security firm to inspect your equipment. Many factors cause issues with security systems like nature and wild animals. If you aren’t paying attention, you may not be aware of these problems.

Do you live outside the city? You might be less worried about home invasions than if you lived in an urban area. However, there is the belief that rural dwellers are more susceptible to break ins simply because there are no nearby neighbors. Still, there are those who are of the opinion that rural properties are less of a temptation to burglars.

You should not be shy. Speak with your neighbors and friends in the area. Look out for their property, and see if they will look out for yours. Listen for gossip too. Important security details (like the presence of strangers in your neighborhood) can come out of the most innocent conversations.

Be cognizant of what others can see when they look in your windows. Large windows let in a lot of light, but they also allow outsiders to see inside your living space. Cover all street-facing windows.

Security starts with new locks. Not everyone who leaves your house will leave happy, and a fresh set of locks will protect you from both former residents and acquaintances of your own looking to cause mischief. You can change the locks in a single day, and the hardware is not very costly.

You should change all the locks if you just bought or rented a new home. Even though the person who sold your home to you may seem honest, you simply can’t know for certain. Keep in mind that other people may have lived in the home prior to the seller.

Trust your instincts when it comes to hiring a home security company. You should be very picky when it comes to letting people inspect your home. If you don’t feel comfortable, go with someone else. The point of that system is to feel safer after all.

The wiring outside of your home can be valuable. The majority of people aren’t aware of this fact until a burglar steals these wires. Copper wiring can easily be removed. Keep your wiring hidden or inaccessible to potential burglars.

Walls make the perfect hiding spot. You can hide small valuables inside the walls. Just access unused switch plates, outlets or phone jacks. A security store will sell fake plates you can install anywhere.

Always get references from anyone you are considering hiring to do work inside your home. Check if they have any history of criminal activity. You do not know if the people you hire are trustworthy, so do not give them a key to your home.

Always check references before letting anyone work on your home. Try doing a background check to look at their criminal history. There is no way of knowing whether or not service people are honest, so you should not give them keys to your home.

Think about the safety of your family realistically, instead of optimistically. Trouble can come down on you at any moment, and that’s why it’s important to prepare yourself as best you can. Keep the excellent advice presented in this article in mind in order to keep your home and loved ones safe.

Ask about the history of any home security company you are considering. You can be sure that an established company has a good track record of providing solid and reliable service. It also ensures they’re not a fly-by-night firm.