Many people dread the hassle that comes with installing a professional home security system. Actually, though, that isn’t the case. Here are some ways that you can make your house more secure, starting today.

Carefully consider where you hide your outside spare key. The doormat is too obvious of a place to hide it, as robbers will look there first. Try hiding the key in your outside dog’s collar.

There are more features to a home alarm system besides making sounds when people break in. Most systems could sound an alarm when someone enters the home. This can be valuable to parents with small children as they are made aware their child has opened or closed a door.

Don’t post online when you’ll be away from your home. While these platforms are there for sharing, this is announcing to the world that your home is an open target.

Talk to people you know about their security systems. Your friends have gone through both bad and good experiences and they will be able to share them with you. Sometimes, you may get great advice from the people you know.

When looking for a system to secure your home, do comparison shopping. You would be surprised to see that the prices are much different for each company, even though it’s for the same type of protection. Get quotes from several companies so that you can get the best price for your home security system.

If your garage is attached to your house, make it secure. It is possible for an intruder to get in the garage and then gain access to the house; however, you can do something about it. A C clamp helps for garage doors on a track. The clamp actually keeps the door closed if tightened close to the track roller.

Remove old plants and debris from your yard. These items have a higher chance of catching fire during the hot months. Clear your yard often if you want to prevent a fire from starting.

If you keep a spare key outside to prevent yourself from being locked-out, think carefully about where you hide it. Placing a key above a door or under a doormat is quite obvious! Try to find somewhere less obvious.

If you’ve got a garage, make sure to use it for your car rather than extra storage space. Keeping the car inside is a good way to keep criminals from stealing or harming it. Hiding the car from plain sight can keep possible intruders from figuring out when you’re home and also when you are not.

The fist thing you’ll need to do for home security is to get new locks. Perhaps you aren’t sure who owned the home before you or maybe an old roommate has a key and never returned it. Regardless, changing the locks will ensure your security. It is generally cheap and may be done in a little under a day.

Fire-resistant building materials are the way to go, both inside and outside the home. This is a good way to protect your home against fires, for instance if you live near power lines or in a dry area. Preventing a fire is important since it can cause a lot of damage.

Hide valuables in spaces in your walls. Don’t make it obvious by cutting out big chunks of drywall. Many places around your house have areas that are already pre-cut. For example, you might remove the cover of an electrical outlet, disconnect the wires, and use the space to hide small valuables.

Ensure that valuables are stored in a hidden area that isn’t visible from outside your home. Though it is nice to have big windows to get a great view of the outdoors, it is also easier for burglars to look into your home. If you have windows that face the street, always keep them covered and keep your valuables safe.

When summer comes around, eliminate all vegetation and dead wood from your yard. When summer heats up, such debris can catch fire. Clear yard regularly to maintain your house safe.

Be certain your wires are hidden, if you have installed a security system in your home. You don’t want a burglar to get access to them and disable your system. Don’t let this happen; bury or hide the wires. This will add security.

Your first priority when you move to an apartment or house where others have lived in before is to replace all the locks. You do not want anyone to have a copy of the key. You can do your own installation to make sure that no one else has a key.

Check with the police department in your town for home security tips and advice. Your local police department will help you with preventive measures, inspect your home and show you how to mark your valuables so they can easily be found. Talk with local police to see if they offer these programs.

Before you let any strangers enter your home, be sure you look over their references. Conduct background checks if necessary. You might not know that the maid or contractor entering your home is a crook, and this could be a very bad mistake.

If you think something looks odd when you get back home, don’t go inside. This can be very dangerous because the thief could still be inside. Your best bet is to call the cops and wait until they arrive before you do anything else.

Security starts with new locks. Maybe you’ve had a roommate leave or a bitter ex-lover, so changing the locks can keep you safer. This doesn’t usually cost much, and it can be accomplished in less than a day.

If you’ve got guests that you don’t want in particular areas of the home, close the area off so it is not accessible. Instead, use a numeric keypad. You can install them yourself or you can hire a home security firm.

A formal automated home security system is just one of many possible solutions to consider when you are looking for options to keep your family safe. Between purchasing a firearm, installing more locks or putting a fence up, you have many choices. You should use these tips to keep your home safe.

Be sure to secure the skylights to your home. Intruders could use skylights to enter your home. Be certain that skylights in your home can be locked securely.