When it comes to keeping your home secure, understanding your options is key. This shouldn’t be a slap-dash decision. Think long and hard about creating a safe home for your family.

Why not give your trusted dog the job of holding onto your spare key? Really this works only if you have a pet door or if your dog is an outdoor dog. Put a key on the dog’s collar so you have access to it when necessary!

Comparison shopping is essential when seeking a security system for the home. Each company has different rates for their security system. Get a quote from several companies before making a final decision.

Be very cautious about entrusting a maid service with a key to your home. Before you give a cleaner full access to your home for extended periods of time, you have to be certain that they’re trustworthy and reliable. It is best to do a reference check on them. If the house cleaner is employed by a company, check with the BBB of your area to determine their reputation.

Don’t talk about your vacations on social media. While you may want to shout it from the rooftops, you’re letting everyone know that your home will be vacant and easy to rob.

Does your dog like to play in your yard? Use him or her to help hide your spare key! You can attach your key to your dog’s collar in order to keep the key hidden. This works especially well as storage if your pet isn’t too fond of strangers.

Turn off ringers on land line phones while you are on vacation. A burglar might hear your phone ring and ring and ring, then realize that you are not home to answer it.

Home security systems have different kinds of features that can sound an alarm when someone breaks into your house. Some give offer the option to monitor all entries into the house. This isn’t just for burglars; parents with young children can also use it as a valuable tool to know when their child has come inside.

If you do not know the person at your door, don’t open it. You have no way of knowing if the stranger on the other side of the door wishes to do you harm. Keep a hard, fast rule that says you only open the door for invited guests in order to keep your family safe.

Shut off phone ringers inside the home if you’re going to be gone for quite a while. If your phone rings and is not being answered, criminals will realize that you’re away.

If you own a garage, be sure to use it to place your car, as opposed to using it as a storage. This will keep thieves from stealing it or harming it. Hiding it will help to deter people from tracking the times you aren’t there.

Do not open your door for strangers. There are many different tactics that crooks use to enter homes, and a common way is simply to walk up to the door and ask for help. Therefore, only allow people you know and are expecting to enter your home.

If you purchase big-ticket items, don’t throw their boxes in the trash before trash day. Letting such packaging sit out will signal to criminals that there are good things to be found in your house.

Secure your garage. Lots of people are afraid that burglars will be able to break into their garage, which will result in them breaking into the home. Thankfully, you can prevent this. Get a C-clamp to secure your garage door if it is mounted on a track.

Replace any wood surrounding your door frame that is rotting. Rotten wood is easily removed and can give an intruder a way into your home. Replace this old wood if you want to keep your house safe.

Even if you have a great security system, it must be checked annually. Ask someone who works at the security company to do a maintenance check. There are many things that can reduce the quality of your system. You may not be able to tell there is an issue by yourself.

Always check references before letting anyone work on your home. A background check which includes any criminal history is warranted. There is no way of knowing whether or not service people are honest, so you should not give them keys to your home.

If you do not reside in a big city, you may not worry as much about home burglaries. Some maintain that rural dwellers have greater risk since their neighbors live farther away. However, understand that regardless of where you live, a theft can occur anywhere. Therefore, you need to be prepared.

The Internet is great for searching for home security companies, so use it to your advantage. Review different websites and review comments from previous customers. Once you do this, make appointments with the three best companies you find so that you can compare pricing and other important details.

Don’t put spare keys inside plant boxes or beneath the welcome mat. A key that is easily found is a convenience for a burglar, not just for you. Thieves are tricky, diabolical, and familiar with any and every hiding place. A better option is to entrust an honest neighbor with a spare key.

Anytime you come home and notice that the door is open whenever you are quite certain you closed it, don’t enter on your own to investigate. This is dangerous since the thief may still be on your property. Instead, call the police to inform them of what happened, and wait on them.

If you have a home security system installed, make sure the wires are hidden. You don’t want a burglar to get access to them and disable your system. You don’t want to help them by doing this, so make sure you have the wires within the walls. You will be much more safe.

A wireless security system for your home is a great option. Wired systems could cost less, but they can also require intrusive electrical work inside your house and can fail when the power goes out. Wireless systems are much more simple to install and upkeep, and the power inside your home will not affect them.

Don’t leave the packaging from any electronics or expensive purchases sitting on the curb until trash day. Having these boxes around for a while will give people an idea of what is inside your house.

Since reading this article, you know more about home security. You should no longer make blind decisions in keeping your home safe. You want to make your family’s safety your priority. Keep these tips in your mind as you think about home security.

Are you aware that your home’s wires are worth something? Often homeowners are unaware of this fact until they find that their wiring has been stolen. Copper wiring is quite valuable, and it’s quick and easy for criminals to strip it right off the outside of your house! Hide your wiring to secure it.