It is likely you know of someone who has been the victim of a burglary at some point. There has been an increase in home invasions, making home security even more important than it ever has been. People could break into your home any time. Use the tips in this article to increase your home’s security.

After you purchase a new home, change the locks. You will want to have a unique combination to stay secure. Speak with a locksmith to get a unique lock for your home. Give a key to someone you trust in case you get locked out.

Your dog can keep your spare house key for you. This is only true if yours in an outdoor dog, or your house is equipped with a doggie door. You could simply put a key onto your dog’s collar, so it is always handy.

Do you have a dog that stays in your yard when you’re not at home? He or she is actually a great place to store your spare key. Attach your key to your dog’s collar, ensuring that it can’t be seen. This is the perfect place to store a spare key, especially if your dog doesn’t care for strangers.

Make sure you have a safe to keep valuable items in one place. This is essential, because you would never want valuable jewelry and other items to be seen by intruders. Hide that safe in a difficult-to-reach place like in a closet inside your basement or an attic.

Purchase ceiling, flooring and roofing that is fire resistant. This will make your home more safe, especially if you are in a dry climate that has many power lines. Lowering or eliminating the risk of a fire is an extremely important home security strategy because a fire can cause extreme destruction very quickly.

Make sure to use caution when deciding if and where to hide an extra key outside of your home. Placing a key above a door or under a doormat is quite obvious! Instead, try hiding a key on the collar of an outside dog.

Never open up your door to a stranger. People try many ways to convince others to open up their doors so that they can commit burglary or worse. Make it mandatory that doors in your home are only opened for expected visitors.

Skylights could be a problem for the safety of your home. While they are nice and help with lighting, they also provide the burglars help with access to your home. Be certain to have skylights that incorporate strong, durable hardware.

Take advantage of any and all security resources your local police force makes available to homeowners. Many have quite a few helpful programs that you take, like on self-defense or other things related to your home. Get in touch with the department to determine their offerings.

You never want people to be able to see your valuables from outside of your home. Large windows at the home’s front can be beautiful, but it can make it easier for criminals to see inside. Blinds are a great way to allow the light in, without allowing people to see in at the same time.

Keep your car in the garage. Keep the car within the garage will make sure no one harms or steals it. This can also keep people from knowing your schedule.

Choose an alarm which monitors other areas outside your doors. Windows are a way for thieves to enter your home as well. If you have an alarm attached to each of your windows and doors, you can keep track of all the entry points for your home. You want the best security possible for your family.

Don’t forget to secure your skylights too. Although skylights provide your home with a lot of light, it is also very helpful for burglars to break in. You should have them equipped with strong, sturdy hardware.

Be sure to replace all locks on a home you have bought. You really don’t know much about the people who sold you the home, regardless of how competent they may seem. If the previous owners have never changed the locks, there could be people out there who owned the house before them and still have keys to your house.

When installing your home security system, make sure to hide the wires. A burglar will simply cut the wires if he can see them. To provide maximum security, wiring should be laid underground or installed safely within the walls of your house. This can make you safer.

If you are moving into a new home, change the locks right away. You do not want anyone to have a copy of the key. It’s easy to install locks, so you can just purchase them at the home improvement store and swap them out to be sure you have the only keys.

If you are entering a house that has already been occupied, you should first change your locks. Previous tenants may have given the keys back to the landlord, but it is always possible to make copies of keys. You can change the locks yourself if you’re feeling really industrious.

Screen the references of anyone who would have access to your house. Be sure to perform a background check and look for any criminal history that might be in evidence. Someone can seem nice and professional on the outside, but they may not be so nice on the inside.

Make sure to ask for identification for any home security company representative. Potential burglars can easily claim they are security company representatives so that they can enter your home. This can put your family and possessions in danger. Make sure you are as cautious as you can be.

Find out how long a company has been in operation before signing a home security contract. Look for a security company that is well-established and has extensive experience in the industry. You should not trust a company that does not have a good record with your local Better Business Bureau or few years of experience.

Screen the references of anyone who would have access to your house. Don’t be afraid of conducting background checks to determine if they have a criminal history. You might not know that the maid or contractor entering your home is a crook, and this could be a very bad mistake.

Do not think that only wealthy people get robbed. Thieves will hit any home that looks easy to get into. It is best to adopt good habits and invest in a quality home security system to keep your family safe.

Look online for a reputable home security business. You can check out their packages and rates and also read some customer reviews. After narrowing down your top five choices, you can then take the next step by contacting each one.