You have worked hard for your things and you need to keep them safe. Few feelings are worse than seeing your house damaged or, worse, destroyed. Your house is your biggest investment, but it also represents your sense of security. Review this article to learn how you can protect your most valuable asset.

Do you have an outside dog? They may provide you with a useful place to hide your key. Put it on your dog’s collar, making sure it is hidden. Your dog is an especially good key hiding spot if he doesn’t react well to strangers, since they won’t approach him, but the key will be there if you need it.

Home security systems offer additional features besides loud alarms during a break-in. Many systems sound an alert whenever people enter the house. 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.

Use a safe to protect your valuables. This will help to keep your jewelry and other valuables secured in the event of a break in. Hide your safe in a place that is hard to get to, like a basement closet or an attic.

If you’re going on a trip for an extended period of time, switch the ringer off on all home phones. A loud ring that goes unanswered can alert people to the fact that you aren’t home. This makes you more likely to be the victim of a burglary.

Turn the ringers off on all your phones if you will be away for a prolonged period of time. A phone which rings forever is a sign to burglars that you’re not there.

Eliminate dead vegetation and wood in the yard in the summer. These can pose a fire hazard due to heat and storms with lightning. Make sure your yard is clean for the sake of your safety – and that of your family!

Home protection program details may be available at your police station. The police can offer you some great advice, help you engrave valuables and even come check out your home. Contact your local police department to find out if they offer this type of program.

Remove all of the vegetation outside in the hotter months. These could catch on fire during the summer, especially if you live in a dry area. Clearing your yard keeps your home, belongings and family much safer.

Motion sensor lights on the exterior of your home is a great idea. These lights turn on if someone walks closely to your house. They help notify you of any movement around your house and deter burglars too. Just remember to change out the bulbs every so often so the lights remain in working order.

You need to change our locks as your first step to ensuring your safety. Whether you just bought your home or someone just moved out that you were living with, this is an important step to any new situation. It is not expensive and you can do it in less than a day.

Keep your car in your garage if you have one. Keeping the car inside is a good way to keep criminals from stealing or harming it. Hiding it will help to deter people from tracking the times you aren’t there.

If you live more out in the country, you may think that you’re not at risk. Some people think that the people out in the country without neighbors are actually at a much greater risk. Not everyone believes this, though.

No matter how soon you plan to return home, you should lock your doors. It might shock you to learn that most break-ins occur due to unlocked doors. They can get a ton of stuff quickly and be long gone before you return.

End your shyness. Speak with your neighbors and friends in the area. Ask them to keep an eye on your home, and do the same thing for them. Never neglect gossip. You may hear valuable information regarding security, such as if any strangers have been hanging around.

As you can see, it is hard to protect your home. You simply need to understand how home security works. Use these ideas to boost your home’s security. Do everything in your power to make sure your house and your family are safe.