The odds are pretty good that someone in your immediate circle of friends and family members has had to deal with a burglary at some point. Home invasions are a huge issue nowadays. Home invasions can occur anywhere; no neighborhood is immune. The following article shows you some of the things you can do for your own security.

Be sure that your home is always occupied. Invest in timers to automatically turn on and off any electronics at various times. It’ll make it seem like someone is home. This is an excellent technique that helps avoid robberies while keeping the property safe.

You should only provide a house cleaner your key if you completely trust them. Anyone you give the keys to your home to should be unarguably honest. It is best to do a reference check on them. If the cleaner has been sent by a company, call the Better Business Bureau to check on the company’s reputation.

Make sure you trust your house cleaner before you provide them with a key. You should not let cleaners have your keys if you feel like you cannot trust them, or if they will be working in your home while you are away. It is best to do a reference check on them. If the person is an employee of a firm, call your local BBB to check their reputation.

Do you let your dog outside when you leave the house? You could let your dog carry a spare key. Find a place to securely fasten the key to your pet’s collar where it’s not visible. This is a good way to ensure easy home access, especially if your pet does not associate well with strangers.

Does your dog stay outside while you are gone? This pet may be an excellent storing spot for your spare key. Put it on their collar. This is the perfect place to store a spare key, especially if your dog doesn’t care for strangers.

Never allow a stranger to enter your home. Even if someone has a good story, requires help or has a great product to sell, ignore them. Some people want to enter your home just to see if there is a security system in place. They may be scoping the place to come back when you’re gone.

Buy a safe for very valuable items in the house so you can keep them inside a single location. This ensures during a break in that the most important things are not stolen. Hide your safe in a hard to find place like the basement or attic.

Your garage should be as secure as your home. Many people are concerned about people entering their garages to gain access to their homes. You can use a C-clamp to stop the door from being opened.

Buy fire-resistant building materials. This will help ensure the safety of your home, particularly if your home is located in a dry area. Fire prevention is always a good idea, and sometimes it can be a lifesaving idea!

The fist thing you’ll need to do for home security is to get new locks. Whether you have a roommate who is about to move out, or a relationship that has run its course, it is a good idea change your locks. It does not cost much, and can be handled very quickly.

If you install a security system, make certain to hide the wires well. Easily-accessible security wiring is a definite weak point in your home’s protection; the best alarm system in the world is useless if it’s easily disabled. Instead, make sure the wires are hidden. Keep yourself safe.

Those that live in rural area are not as concerned about having their home invaded as those who are located in the city. Others think that living in the country is more risky than other areas because houses are so far apart. Some think that there are less burglars in rural areas.

Replace rotten wood near door frames. Anyone who wants to get into your home can easily pry away rotted wood and slip right into your home. Replace it as soon as possible.

Be sure to secure the skylights to your home. Although skylights provide your home with a lot of light, it is also very helpful for burglars to break in. Your skylights should have strong components that can withstand tampering.

Obtain flashlights with solid batteries, and ensure they are kept in all the rooms of your home in the event of a power outage. They will help you get around in case your entire home is dark. Make sure your whole family knows where to find them and how to operate them.

Be on the lookout for rotten wood anywhere near your doors or windows. Anyone hoping to enter your home can very easily do so by just prying away the rotted wood. Wood that is beginning to rot should always be replaced to make sure your home stays safe.

If you are entering a house that has already been occupied, you should first change your locks. Even if you’ve gotten a key from the previous owner or tenant, there could still be a lot of people out there who have keys to your home. You can also put the locks on yourself so you can be sure no one else has a key.

Before you let a security company representative enter your home, make sure they are in uniform, and don’t hesitate to ask them for identification. Many thieves use this tactic to enter a house. This can put your family and possessions in danger. Be cautious to stay safe.

Inquire with your home security service as to how long they’ve been in business. A long-standing company has a track record in the industry that people can attest to. You may not feel as safe if you opt to go with a company that has not been in business for long or that does not have a stable history.

You can find an excellent home security company with a simple Internet search. You should look at testimonials from customers and different information you can find. Once you have selected a few potential home security providers, set appointments to interview them and find out what they have on offer.

For maximum safety, your home needs bright exterior lighting. It will be easier for intruders to keep an eye on you and approach your home if they can hide in the dark. So it’s smart to put a light in typically darker corners around your home. All doors, porches, garages and windows should be well lit.

Don’t think only expensive houses get robbed. Any home that appears it can be broken into is a target for burglars. If you use the tips here to improve your home security, your family will be much safer.

If you live with children or others whom who don’t want entering some parts of the house, keys and lock sets aren’t the only option. There are locks that use a code for entry, rather than a key. You can have your home security company install it for you, or you can do it yourself.