Bad things happen to the best people, and they can happen to you at the most unpredictable times. Don’t neglect the safety of your home, yourself and your family. Read the tips here if you want to make your home safe and free of criminals.

Your dog can keep your spare house key for you. Outdoor dogs or pet doors make this possible. You can attach a copy of your key to the dog’s collar, so when you need that spare, you’ve got one handy!

Protect your spare key by using your dog. This only makes sense if your dog is outdoors a lot or you have a pet door. Latch the key on his collar and voila–you have a spare key available!

Does your dog remain outside while you’re gone? She or he is actually a good place to keep the spare key. The key can be attached to the collar of your dog. This will ensure that burglars cannot see it. This works very well if you have a pet that is not very fond of strangers. You will get the access you need without having to worry about your safety.

Do you let your dog outside when you leave the house? This pet may be an excellent storing spot for your spare key. Put it on their collar. This is an especially good idea if your dog doesn’t like strangers, and gives you easy access to get in your home.

Speak with the police in your town regarding the home security programs they have. Many police departments offer programs that can include home inspections, home security training and more. Speak with the police in your area to see if they have these things.

When in the process of purchasing a home-security system, be sure to comparison shop. You’ll find a wide range of prices from different companies. Get a quote from several companies before making a final decision.

It is important that you check your home security system periodically, at least once a year. Get a professional in to check it out. Wild animals, domestic pets, and weather are all factors that can affect the reliability of your home security system. You may not be able to tell there is an issue by yourself.

You need to secure your garage if it is attached to your home. Often people are concerned that burglars can enter the home via the attached garage . Happily, there is a solution to this problem. A C-clamp can prevent a garage door from even opening if the clamp is tightened on the door track near the roller.

Don’t forget about the skylights when securing your home. Skylights are commonly used by thieves to enter a home. Having heavy duty, reliable hardware is best when it comes to skylights.

During the summer, remove all vegetation and dead wood from your yard. Due to the heat, these items in your yard are more likely to catch on fire. As a result, your home could be caught on fire. Keep your family and your house protected by regularly clearing out your yard waste.

Walls are a good place to hide things. If you need to protect expensive items in your home, put them inside the walls. Just use an unwired electric plug, light switch or phone box. If you haven’t got any plates that are unused, simply install a false switch plate.

Trust your instincts when it comes to hiring a home security company. If you don’t feel comfortable with the technician, don’t allow them access to your home. Ask for someone else to come out or switch companies. Your security system is supposed to help you, not cause you more stress.

Keep valuables out of sight of windows. It is wise to invest in coverings for large windows that can give criminals a large view of your home. You should cover any windows that are facing the street so your valuables will be safe.

If you have skylights, do not neglect them when making sure your home is secure. While they are there to let light in, if you do not care for it properly it could also let in a thief. Be certain that skylights in your home can be locked securely.

If you move to a dwelling that has had prior occupants, make sure you get the locks changed. Although it’s normal for owners / tenants to surrender their keys when they leave, there’s no way of knowing who else might have copies. It is possible to purchase and put in locks on your own so you can be assured you have the only keys.

The walls of your home make for great hiding spots. If you own smaller things that need protection, think about keeping them hidden in the walls. Repurpose phone jacks and electrical outlets as tiny wall safes. If you don’t have unused plates, it’s easy to put in a fake one.

Before allowing someone into your house, be sure to carefully check their references. Run a criminal background check on them, as well. You can’t always be sure that maids, service workers or contractors are honest, and therefore giving out keys can be a big error.

Don’t put spare keys inside plant boxes or beneath the welcome mat. Though you may think you are giving yourself a way into your home if you lose your key, you are actually inadvertently inviting intruders into your home. Rest assured, thieves have a good idea about these hiding places. Rather, give your spare key to a neighbor or friend that you trust.

If you need to make the outside of your home secure, you can achieve this relatively inexpensively by installing lights with motion detectors. These lights will keep your property well lit and give you a good idea of who approaches your home. Positioned correctly, these lights can make it impossible for intruders to get on your property undetected.

It is important that your valuables are not visible from anywhere outside your house. Large front windows are great, but they also allow others to peer into your home. Make sure you keep your blinds closed or arrange your possessions in such a way that they can’t be seen from outside.

Always enlist the powers of online research to help you make a smart choice when it comes to home security companies. You should look at testimonials from customers and different information you can find. Also find other companies to get quotes from as well.

After bringing home a big-ticket item, such as an appliance or electronic device, avoid leaving the packages on the curb before trash day. Empty boxes for expensive new gear serve as advertisements to potentials thieves; don’t make it easy for them to spot such tempting targets.

If you don’t own a paper shredder already, you might want to get one. You will be astonished at how burglars find important information from loose paper that they could use to break into your house. If you can’t get a paper shredder, try ripping papers into smaller pieces.

Motion sensitive lights are an inexpensive way to increase your home’s security. In the evening hours, this lighting can provide extra security and an economical way to light your front entrance way when you arrive. By carefully placing them around the outside of your property, you create a perimeter that cannot be breached.

Don’t leave the boxes of any high priced electronics on the curb of your house. This will just alert criminals to the fact that you have expensive items in your home. Break them down and put them in a bag or take them to a recycling center.

You should find a home security company that will inspect your home and put together a customized system. Everyone has different needs, and your security system should be designed to protect your home and family. Doing this helps you get the best security you can get from the company, helping you to relax.

Are you able to see the numbers on your house from the street? If an emergency happens, the police can’t get to the home as quick if your numbers are obscured in any way or are too small. If you notice a problem, you should be able to fix it fairly cheaply, though.

There is no telling when an intruder may break into your home. Rather than assuming you won’t be this unlucky, be prepared and utilize strategies to ensure your home’s safety. Use what you’ve just read to secure your home.

If you turn lights off and on at the same hours each day, you should use a timer. This is simpler, as you will not have to flip any switches, and you will know the lights will go off and on in your absence.