After all, your house should be the place where your family is the safest. When they venture out, it needs to remain safe and secure for when they return. This article will advise you on the best ways to keep your home secure from robbery.

It is a good idea to replace all the locks on the new home you buy. Many people may have been given keys by the former owner. You want to be sure that you’re the only one with a key. If you lose your keys, you should do the same thing.

Keep your most precious belongings inside a safe. This is important, since you don’t want your valuables exposed to a potential intruder. Put the safe somewhere difficult to get to, like the attic.

The only time you should give out house keys to house cleaners is if you absolutely trust them. Make sure you know they are legitimate before giving out the key. Go over their references and do some background research on the company they work for. If you hire a cleaner from a company, then you should check the company with the BBB.

Compare different systems when looking into home security. Some companies offer comparable levels of protection that can be priced very differently. Get quotes from no less than three companies before choosing the best one.

Do you allow your dog to stay in your yard while you are away? This is where you can put your spare key. The key can be attached to the collar of your dog. This will ensure that burglars cannot see it. Especially if pets don’t like strangers, this can be a useful way for having easy access to your house.

Talk to people you know about their security systems. They may have had experiences with certain companies and can lead you in the right direction. Ask a few different people to help you make the best choice.

If your social networking accounts are filled with folks you do not really know, do not announce vacations on the sites. You may be very excited about your impending vacation, but there is no need to let potential burglars know when you will be gone.

When planning to go away for a holiday, be sure to turn off the ringers on your home phones. Intruders might be attracted by a phone that rings constantly without anyone picking up.

Talk to people you know about their security systems. They probably have both positive and negative things to tell you, and those comments will help you make your own decision. Make broad inquiries so that you are able to make a well-informed decision.

Make sure to clear your yard of brush and dead wood in the summertime. These can be fire hazards and can cause damage to your home. Keeping your plants and bushes trimmed will benefit your family’s safety as well as the appearance of your home.

You need to have your security system checked once a year. Get someone from the security firm to inspect it. A number of factors can cause problems with your security system, including wild animals and mother nature. If you aren’t paying attention, you may not be aware of these problems.

Rural areas are just as prone to break-ins as cities. The risk is still there, so a home security system is vital. Some think that there are less burglars in rural areas.

Don’t forget about the skylights when securing your home. Although a skylight can bring light into one’s home and look good, it’s also a common entrance way for burglars. Fix your skylights so they cannot be accessed as an entry point by intruders.

Your home may be equipped with skylights, and if so you must not neglect them in your security planning. While they are nice and help with lighting, they also provide the burglars help with access to your home. You should have them equipped with strong, sturdy hardware.

While choosing your alarm system, ask about protection for windows and motion detection as well as doors. Windows are a way for thieves to enter your home as well. Be sure your home alarm covers all entry points into your home. This will help to keep your family safe.

There is plenty of information you can use to protect your home. Will you be able to apply it to your own situation? Use some of the ideas shown here and continue to educate yourself on the options available to you so that you find the right system to meet your needs.

If you bought any big or expensive things, wait until trash day to throw away the boxes. Letting such packaging sit out will signal to criminals that there are good things to be found in your house.