Home security solutions often conjure up visions of technicians roaming through your house installing a myriad of wires, cables and sensors. However, the process does not have to be so inconvenient. The information below will enlighten you on the process so that you can keep your home safe.

Have your dog protect the spare key. This will only be ideal if you have a dog door or an outdoor dog. Put a key on the dog’s collar so you have access to it when necessary!

Buy a safe so you can conceal your valuables in it. This is very important, as you do not want your gold, diamonds and personal items exposed if someone were to break into your house. Hide the safe in a very hard to reach place like the attic or a closet in the basement.

When you buy a new house, be sure the locks are changed. You never know how many copies of the keys the previous owners made and handed out. Find a good locksmith who can replace the lock and make a few copies of your key. You should also have your locks changed if you lose your keys.

When looking to buy a security system, shop around. Prices for home security systems can vary and they do not all offer the same services. You really owe it to yourself to solicit firm quotes from three different providers before you sit down to pick one.

In summer, take care to trim back branches and plants near the house. As the summer heat rolls in, there is a higher chance that these can catch on fire, putting your home at risk. Clear up your yard so it looks good and is safe.

Your flooring and roofing should be fire resistant. This is a good way to protect your home against fires, for instance if you live near power lines or in a dry area. Lowering or eliminating the risk of a fire is an extremely important home security strategy because a fire can cause extreme destruction very quickly.

Don’t open your door if a stranger is on the other side. You have no way of knowing if the stranger on the other side of the door wishes to do you harm. Make it mandatory that doors in your home are only opened for expected visitors.

If you’ve got skylights, don’t neglect them when ensuring your home’s security. While they are there to let light in, if you do not care for it properly it could also let in a thief. Any skylights in your home should be secured with strong hardware.

You need to secure your garage if it is attached to your home. Intruders could easily break into your garage and access your home. A C-clamp can prevent a garage door from even opening if the clamp is tightened on the door track near the roller.

Store your car in the garage if you have it. A car kept locked in a garage is much less likely to be stolen or damaged. When it is in hiding, people won’t know if you’re home.

After making major (i.e. expensive) purchases, don’t dump the packaging out front if your next scheduled garbage pick-up is several days away. If you set these boxes out with the trash, thieves will know you have expensive items in your house.

You need to change our locks as your first step to ensuring your safety. Has a roommate or ex-lover moved out recently? If so, then you need to change out the locks in order to keep you and your home safe. It is usually inexpensive and can be done in less than 24 hours.

Do you live outside the city? You might be less worried about home invasions than if you lived in an urban area. Some people think that the people out in the country without neighbors are actually at a much greater risk. Then again, others think rural areas are not as much of a target.

The wiring outside of your home can be valuable. This is something few homeowners realize until they become victims of wiring theft. A skilled intruder could remove all the copper from your home within less than an hour. Be sure to hide your wires or make sure they are hard to get to.

Walls can serve as a handy hiding place. Concealing small valuables in your walls is an easy and highly effective way to protect them. You could utilize an electrical outlet, phone jack, or unused switch plate. If you haven’t got any plates that are unused, simply install a false switch plate.

Be cognizant of what others can see when they look in your windows. Large front windows are great, but they also allow others to peer into your home. If your house has street-facing windows, make sure they are always covered and your make sure your valuables are hidden away.

If you sign a contract for a security company, read all the fine print first. There could be fees for terminating the contract early or acquiring additional equipment down the road. If you can’t avoid these types of fees, you should at least be aware of them.

Big home security systems are not your only option to keep your home secure and your family safe. Other options include purchasing a gun, installing a fence or extra locks on your doors. Keep these tips in mind as you look for ways to make your own home more secure.