Making sure your home is secure seems a huge task. But, there is no need for it to be pricy or hard. Reviewing the security advice provided here can go a long way towards making you a safer, more security-conscious homeowner.

After getting a new home, make sure to change its locks. You simply do not know how many keys to the old locks are floating around. You want to be sure that you’re the only one with a key. In addition, replace your locks if your keys ever get lost.

Is your dog kept outside when you are away? You might consider leaving your spare key with your dog. You can attach your key to your dog’s collar in order to keep the key hidden. If your dog is suspicious of strangers, you have found a good hiding place for your key.

Don’t give your keys to a house cleaner unless you totally trust them. Be sure to check out the background of any housekeeper you plan to provide with a key to your home. Read through their references very carefully, and don’t hesitate to follow up on their references to ensure they actually exist. If they work through a larger firm, you can check up on the company with your local Better Business Bureau.

Do not open your door for people you do not know. Nowadays, people invent many stories of why they should come in. For instance, they may say they need to call a mechanic or the police. However, their true intent is to rob you. You should make sure you only open the door to your home for people that you know and are expecting.

Buy fire resistant flooring, roofing and ceiling. Your home will get added protection, especially if your environment is dry and has power lines. Stopping fire hazards is a key precaution to take since the damage it causes can be considerable.

Home protection program details may be available at your police station. Many programs include how to use some engraving tools to create code numbers for identifying valuables that are stolen, home inspection, and advice on protective measures. Contact your local police department to find out if they offer this type of program.

If you’ve got lots of people you don’t know on your social networks, don’t let them know that you’re going to be on vacation. Potential intruders could get a good idea of when you will be gone by monitoring what you share on social networks.

When having a company install your security system, you must trust your feelings. Don’t hire anyone who makes you uncomfortable. Ask the company to send a different installer or simply change companies. The system and the company should put your mind at ease.

Do not be shy. Talk to the people who live in your neighborhood. Keep on eye on their home and ask neighbors to return the favor. Listen to gossip also. You will learn a lot from your neighbors, including details about recent break ins in the area and the shady individuals they noticed.

Be sure to replace rotten wood in the frame of your front door. Anyone can gain access to our home by prying away the rotted wood. Replace the rotting door frame with a new one and keep your home much safer.

Consider changing your locks as a part of your home security program. Maybe you had a roommate move out or have a disgruntled ex-lover, changing the locks is the best way to keep yourself safe. This is a very easy process that you can complete within a day.

Plug a rechargeable flashlight into an outlet in each room of your house in the event of power outage. They give you and your family the opportunity to move around should the electricity go out. Train kids how to use the flashlights so that everyone may contribute.

Do you have skylights? If so, you should keep them in mind when protecting your home. While they are an excellent source of natural light, they are also an easy way for thieves to enter your home. Use heavy-duty hardware to secure your skylights to the roof.

The number one thing you must do if you’re moving into a new place is have the locks changed. The person who used to live there may still have a key. For maximum security, buy your own locks and install them yourself. This way you can be certain nobody else has a key.

Walls are great for hiding items. If you have valuables that are small in size, you may want to hide them within your walls. Target any unused phone jacks or electrical outlets for an easy hiding spot. If you’re using all your outlets, you can install phony ones.

When seeking out home security firms, the Internet is an indispensable tool. Browse through different websites and seek out customer reviews about different services and packages. Make appointments with the three best companies, and take the time to go over the details and compare them.

Are you aware of the value of your home’s wires? People don’t realize this until it is stolen. The copper wiring can be stripped and be turned in for money. To keep the wiring safe, be sure that the wire is hidden from view.

Get a custom-designed plan that fits your needs by having the security company do a site visit in your home. Every person has specific needs and wants when dealing with securing your family, home, and items. If you have found a company that could cater to your needs, then it is easy to get the security that will make you and your loved ones comfortable.

If you have your home brightly lit, burglars are likely to avoid it. They wish to avoid detection. Thieves have a hard time stealing things when there are lots of lights around. Have lights that come on when they detect movement for best results.

Purchase a paper shredder to prevent your discarded papers from providing burglars with valuable information. Thieves might go through your trash bags to find bills for valuables or personal information. You can tear your documents up by hand before disposing of them if a shredder is out of your price range.

Whenever seeking out home-security companies, the Internet can be a valuable resource, so utilize it. The sites of the companies themselves will provide you with details about their services, testimonials from their customers, and pricing information. Once you have selected a few potential home security providers, set appointments to interview them and find out what they have on offer.

Could burglars see inside your garage? Make sure that they can’t! Use frosting to cover the garage window, so people cannot peer inside. Don’t let your door hang open for lengthy periods of time.

Be sure and keep the outside of your house well lit. A burglar prefers to sneak around in the dark, and a well lit house is always a deterrent. Put a light anywhere where an intruder can enter your home. This extends to doorways, porches, garages and lower windows.

If you purchase a new, pricey electronic like a TV or computer, don’t leave the empty box near your curb. Burglars will instantly take notices of these boxes and what used to be in them, making you an easy burglary target. Cut up the boxes when they’re empty.

If you haven’t gotten a paper shredder, it may be time to purchase one. Thieves are likely to steal documents that include your personal information if they can find them. If a shredder is too expensive, at least tear relevant paperwork into small bits.

Inquire about various contract lengths which your security company might offer. There are of course pros and cons for each contract. A contract that is longer might offer lower monthly payments, but you may have to continue with these if you decide to sell the house or discontinue services. Short contracts leave you with freedom, but also a larger bill.

Put the boxes of any expensive electronic items in your trash can so would-be burglars won’t know see them. This will show that you have expensive equipment in your home. Break down the box, and take it to the local recycling center.

With these quality tips for home security, you can do a better job of securing your house. You can now make the changes you need. You’ll find that it’s surprisingly easy to make your home more secure so that you can feel more at ease. You are going to be able to relax completely soon!

There is no need to have keyed locks on interior doors. If you do have areas to lock, consider getting keyless locks that you can open using a code, rather than carrying a huge ring of keys around with you. You can even install it yourself.