If you own a home, then you understand the importance of keeping it safe. There aren’t many feelings worse than your home being severely damaged or destroyed. Therefore, it is important to protect your home at all costs. Keep reading for ways to make sure your home remains protected.

Be sure your home always looks occupied. You could purchase timers and have your TVs, lights, radios and other types of electronics to go on at various times. This way, your house will always look occupied. This will keep people from breaking in.

After getting a new home, make sure to change its locks. This is because you really have no idea who has keys, and therefore access to your home. Get a locksmith in right away. This is also the thing to do if you lose the keys.

Always have the locks changed when you buy a new home. The person who previously owned the home may have made copies of keys. To make sure you’re the only person that can get into your home, contact a locksmith. Also, if you lose your keys, change the locks.

Don’t give your keys to a house cleaner unless you totally trust them. You should not let cleaners have your keys if you feel like you cannot trust them, or if they will be working in your home while you are away. Check the housekeeper’s references very carefully. Contact your local Better Business Bureau to find out more about the reputation of the cleaner you hired.

Is your dog kept outside when you are away? They can help you with your spare key. Find a place to securely fasten the key to your pet’s collar where it’s not visible. If your dog doesn’t like strangers, it’s even better.

The best home security systems do much more than sound the alarm (literally). They often even alert you to any time a door is opened. This is a good way to keep track of where your young children are.

Buy a safe and use it to hold all of the valuables in your home. This is vital, as you want to safeguard your valuable items in case of home burglary. Conceal the safe in an out-of-the-way and not easily accessible spot, such as an attic or a basement area.

Get advice from loved ones about home security systems. They probably have both positive and negative things to tell you, and those comments will help you make your own decision. Making a great choice is important, so this advice will come in handy.

If you live in a rural area, you may not be as concerned about home break-ins as people who live in the city. Nonetheless, people in the country may be at greater risk due to being far away from neighbors. Some people think burglaries are less prevalent in rural parts.

Don’t put your extra key under you doormat, in a planter, or in a cleverly disguised false rock. While you may feel that you are keeping yourself safe by allowing a way in for yourself, you are also allowing everyone else to visit whenever they want. Thieves are aware of all these spots. Rather, give your key to a neighbor you find trustworthy.

If you have a stranger at your door, do not open it. Nowadays, thieves are creative when thinking of ways to get homeowners to open a door and let them in. Make it a habit to only open your home’s door to people you were expecting.

Lock your home when you leave, even if you don’t think you will be away for long. In a lot of cases, home intruders enter through unlocked doors. They can get a ton of stuff quickly and be long gone before you return.

Copper Wiring

Secure your garage. There is a way to stop thieves from entering your home from the garage. Using a C-clamp on the garage door will prevent it from opening by staying on the door’s track.

There is a lot of value in copper wiring. This is something few homeowners realize until they become victims of wiring theft. The copper wiring can be stripped and be turned in for money. Make sure your wiring is hidden or hard to access to keep this valuable property safe.

Before allowing anyone into your home, check their references carefully. A background check is also a good idea, so that you know what their criminal history looks like. It is not a good idea to give anyone a key to your home, even contractors or repairmen.

Walls are a good place to hide things. You can hide small valuables in your walls. Place them in switch plates, phone jacks or an electric outlet. Even if every single plate in your home is being used, you can purchase a fake one purpose-built for concealing valuables.

Have your home security company inspect your home and suggest safety improvements. They should take your concerns seriously and address any issues you have. If you’ve found a company that can tailor a system to you, you can receive the greatest amount of security to make you feel much more comfortable.

Consider installing a surveillance system. This will allow you to see who is around your house. Visible cameras are a deterrent to most intruders, and should they decide to disable them, a hidden camera will continue to capture footage. Find a security system that gives you the option to view the video feed from your phone so you can check on your home at anytime.

No matter how soon you plan to return home, you should lock your doors. Break-ins are often the result of unlocked windows and doors. It does not take long for thieves to steal a lot from your home.

A dog is an excellent burglar alarm. Usually, dogs protect their homes and when they sense something is wrong, they bark. That is not to say that a big, scary dog is required. As long as he is noisy when strangers approach, he’s a great addition to the security of your home.

Ask about different contract lengths that your home security company may offer. There are sure to be both good points and bad points about each option. Longer contracts can lower your monthly bill; however, you may have to continue paying the bill even if you move or discontinue with their services. Shorter contracts may offer greater freedom at a higher cost.

Replace all the locks in your newly purchased home. Even though the person who sold your home to you may seem honest, you simply can’t know for certain. Bear in mind that other people may have lived in the home before the previous owner.

Don’t get spring latch locks. These locks are easy to break into since they may be opened up with a credit card. This isn’t a difficult maneuver either. If you have spring latches already installed, consider adding deadbolts too.

As stated in this piece, making sure your house is safe need not be tough. You need to have some knowledge about home security. Use these home security tips wisely. Apply the tips in this article and feel safe at home.

If you scheduled an appointment for a member of the security company to come to your house, ask them to show you some identification first. Thieves can pass themselves as workers, which can end up in a robbery of your home. Intruders could disguise themselves as home security representatives to inspect your current security system. Be deliberate in preventing hazards.