You have probably had friends and acquaintances who have been burglarized. Paying a little extra attention to home security is never a bad idea. A home break in can happen in any location. This article discusses what you are able to do to enhance your home’s security.

Your dog could carry a spare key for you. This will only be ideal if you have a dog door or an outdoor dog. You can attach a copy of your key to the dog’s collar, so when you need that spare, you’ve got one handy!

Always have the locks changed when you buy a new home. You don’t know who might have a key. To make sure no one else can get into your home, call a locksmith. If you lose keys, make sure to do this, too.

A home security system has other features in addition to sounding an alarm when there is a break-in. Most of them can be programmed to alert you to anyone entering your home. If you have little ones wandering about the house, this makes it easy for you to know if they have come in or gone out.

Do you keep your dog outdoors when you go out? Your dog is an excellent place to hide your spare key. Hook your key to the dog’s collar in a place that is shielded from view. This is an especially good idea if your dog doesn’t like strangers, and gives you easy access to get in your home.

Compare various home security systems when shopping. 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. Obtain quotes from a minimum of three home security companies before making a final decision.

Buy a safe to keep all of your valuables in one place at home. This is very important, as you do not want your gold, diamonds and personal items exposed if someone were to break into your house. Keep the safe hidden somewhere remote.

Don’t just hide your spare key anywhere. Too many people put their extra key under the mat in front of their door; burglars know to check there. You should hide it in your dog’s collar.

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.

If you have a garage, increase your home security by using it to house your car, rather than just for storage. You will not have to worry about thieves taking your car if it is inside your garage. When your car is hidden, it will be hard for intruders to tell if you are home or not.

Buy roofing, flooring and interior paneling that is flame resistant. Having your home built with fire resistant materials will help safeguard your home in case it catches fire. Preventing a fire hazard is one of the safest precautions that you can take due to the level of destruction that it can cause.

Before doing anything else, install new locks in your home. Changing the locks will ensure that you are the only one who knows the combination. It does not cost much, and can be handled very quickly.

If your social networking accounts are filled with folks you do not really know, do not announce vacations on the sites. This can indicate that your home will be free and vulnerable during the time.

Those living in rural areas often don’t worry as much about intruders compared to city dwellers. Some people think that the people out in the country without neighbors are actually at a much greater risk. That said, stranger things have happened.

Before agreeing to work with a security company, check with your friends and family for recommendations. They have likely had interactions with home security providers that they can tell you about, saving you time and stress. Ask a number of people to get a several different opinions.

If you have skylights, do not neglect them when making sure your home is secure. Skylights have a good function, but unfortunately they also often provide a way for a burglar to enter. Your skylights should have strong components that can withstand tampering.

Police Department

You should have several flashlights and batteries in all your rooms. This is important for you to be able to see should your power go out or you suffer an emergency. Keep in mind that your family might be separated during a power outage, and make sure you children know where to find and how to use your flashlights.

Talk to the police department in your area to see what safety programs they have. Many police departments offer programs that can include home inspections, home security training and more. Contact your local police department to find out if they offer this type of program.

Find out how long a company has been in operation before signing a home security contract. A company that’s been around for a while has proven that their service is reliable. Realizing you at involved with a stable firm will give you a sense of calm that is important.

Look for an alarm system that does more than protect your doors. Windows are all potential entry points for burglars. Get an alarm that will trigger if either the doors or windows are opened. They are the most effective.

Your home’s exterior needs to be well lit. Burglars like committing crimes in the darkness. Install lights by each and every entryway to your home. Over doors, near windows and especially your back yard need to be lit.

It’s smart to use the Internet when you are looking for a good security company for your home. You can check out their packages and rates and also read some customer reviews. Also find other companies to get quotes from as well.

If you will be away from your home, arrange to have whoever is collecting your mail to also pick up fliers placed inside your door. It isn’t uncommon for burglars to put up fliers to see whether or not they’re removed. Intruders can get a good idea of what your schedule is like or figure out that you are on vacation if the flyer stays on your door for a long time.

Keep your home’s exterior areas illuminated well. Burglars like using darkness to hide. So it’s smart to put a light in typically darker corners around your home. Don’t forget that this includes ground-level windows as well as doors, garages, and porches.

Are you able to see the numbers on your house from your street? If you need assistance, emergency vehicles may not locate your home in a timely manner if the numbers don’t stand out. Thankfully, you can easily fix this problem very quickly and cheaply.

If you get home and your door is open, do not enter ti investigate. This is dangerous since the thief may still be on your property. Your best bet is to contact the authorities and wait outside for them to get there.

Find out about the various lengths of contracts your chosen home security company has on offer. There are advantages and disadvantages to each. With a longer contract, your monthly payment is likely to be lower. The downside is you might be stuck for a longer period of time if you decide you don’t like the service or want to move. While the monthly rates may be higher for a short-term contract, this option is more flexible.

If a friend picks up your mail while you’re away, have them check for fliers on your door. This is a way people who are casing out your house can tell whether you are home or not. A flier that hangs around for days on end lets burglars know that there’s no one in the home.

Don’t make an obvious or easy password for your numeric keypad lock. People can easily access your birth date in order to gain entry to your home. Make it something that is unique and that you can remember.

Ask whether or not your home security company gives you the option to lease and/or buy your equipment. Buying equipment can be pricey upfront, but it’s a single cost versus a monthly cost. Leasing is a good way to avoid the initial expense, but you will have to pay monthly fees. Look at what you can afford, as well as what is offered and make an informed choice.

Always close your curtains, especially if a passerby can easily look in your windows. You do not want to invite people peeking in through your window. When your valuables are on display, burglars will see it as a veritable buffet. Keep your valuables out of sight and you’ll make yourself less of a target for crime.

If the door isn’t solid wood or metal, then replace it with a door that is. These types of doors are much stronger and harder for someone to break into. A would-be intruder will have much more trouble getting through one of these than a hollow door. Replacing doors is not very expensive and should make a real difference.

Get a home alarm, but only if the police are called when it’s gone off. Having it centrally monitored is your best bet. After all, your neighbors might not make that call just because they hear your alarm.

It is a mistake to assume that break-ins only happen in upscale neighborhoods. Any home which is simple to get into can be a target. If you follow the tips written in this guide, you will surely be able to protect your house from unwanted intruders.

Most people try to avoid the neighborhood gossip, but you should try to get them in your good graces. The nosy neighbor may not make for good company, but he or she is likely to notice suspicious individuals near your house. By befriending this person, you will always have updates on the latest neighborhood news and threats.