It is up to homeowners to take proactive steps to ensure the safety of the home and its inhabitants. Sad to say, home burglaries, fires and damage caused by natural disaster are quite common. Read on to learn how you can keep your home and loved ones safe from these threats.

Any time you buy a new home, have the locks changed. You don’t know the exact number of copies of that key the previous owners have or have handed out. To make sure your home can only be accessed by you, enlist the help of a locksmith. Also, if you lose your keys, change the locks.

Your dog could carry a spare key for you. This will only be ideal if you have a dog door or an outdoor dog. Place a spare key on the collar, and when you really need a spare, you know where to go!

Does your dog stay outside while you are gone? You might consider leaving your spare key with your dog. You can attach your key to your dog’s collar in order to keep the key hidden. Especially if pets don’t like strangers, this can be a useful way for having easy access to your house.

It’s important to shop around before you settle on the right security system for your home. You’ll find a wide range of prices from different companies. Be certain to obtain multiple quotes prior to making your choice.

When you set out to purchase home security equipment, remember to comparison shop. Several different firms may offer similar protection for wildly divergent prices. Before choosing which company to go with, ask for quotes from a minimum of three companies.

If you like to have a key hidden in case you lose yours, place it in a safe place. You don’t want to put them in common spots, such as above the frame of the door or under the doormat. A better place to keep your key is inside your outside dog’s collar.

Talk to people you know about their security systems. Others have likely had both good and bad experiences that they can share with you that can then save you a lot of stress and time. Therefore, ask everyone you can in order to obtain the most advice. With thorough advice, the best decision can be made.

Ask friend for any advice they have prior to purchasing a security system or service. It is probable that you will hear some great stories about some companies as well as some not so great stories about others. This can save you the hassle of having to research everything on your own. By asking around, you will gain information about the pros and cons of a variety of options.

You should not let anyone inside your home. Even if the person has a compelling story, needs help or has something to sell, they should not be given access. It’s quite possible that your charming guest is only interested in evaluating the security of your home; if they find it lacking, they may be back later to relieve you of some of your possessions.

It is always best to not let people in that just show up out of the blue. This includes a salesperson or people looking for help. This is the first rule of keeping your home secure.

You need to have your security system checked once a year. Your security company should send a representative to check your system. Mother Nature and wild animals can also cause issues with your home security system. There are always ways your home is vulnerable, even if you don’t know it.

Don’t let strangers into your home. Folks are always thinking up new schemes to get people to open the door so that they can commit their crimes. Keep a hard, fast rule that says you only open the door for invited guests in order to keep your family safe.

People who live rurally often don’t think about home security. Some people think that country folk are mainly targeted since they don’t have nearby neighbors. Some people think burglaries are less prevalent in rural parts.

Security System

Be sure to secure the skylights to your home. While they are there to let light in, if you do not care for it properly it could also let in a thief. Make sure your skylights have reliable, heavy duty hardware in place.

Regardless of the type of home security system you choose, be sure to have regular inspections and maintenance performed. The security company should have a specialist come to look at it. Wild animals or plain old nature can wreak havoc on your home security system. You might not even discover these problems if they aren’t easily sighted.

Do that put spare keys above door frames or under door mats. While it may seem like a convenient way to give you access to your home, intruders are aware of this practice. Intruders know about the usual hiding spots. Give it to a neighbor you trust instead.

When securing your home, don’t forget about skylights. Skylights are excellent for beauty and light, but it’s easy for burglars to gain access to your home through them. Be sure that the skylights for your home are durable and reliable.

Always lock your home, regardless of how short your trip out is. It may be shocking, but many home invasions and burglaries occur by intruders walking through the front door that was left open. A thief could steal all your valuables in only a few minutes.

Always lock your house, even if you are only going to be away for a few minutes. Surprisingly, lots of burglaries occur because the burglar was able to simply walk in without having to actually break in. A thief can steal lots of stuff in a little amount of time.

Before checking out security systems for your home, think about your personal security and safety needs. Although automated electronic systems are powerful, they’re not necessarily the cost-effective solution for every home. Depending on your neighborhood and your household, you might well be better served by a reliable guard dog or self-defense training than by high-tech gadgetry. Know what you want and make your decisions based on that.

When you landscape your house, make it safe. Make sure that there is nothing obstructing your doors and windows. If they can be seen, people will not hide there and attempt a break-in. Plan these features for further away from your home.

If the front door is open when you get home, resist the temptation to go in alone to find the reason. You have no way of knowing whether the thieves are still inside. Go to a neighbor’s or another safe area and call the police.

Ask about the history of any home security company you are considering. A company with a long history has proved they can survive and provide great service to people. Knowing you are not dealing with a fly by night company gives you extra peace of mind when making this important decision.

Get a paper shredder. Many thieves sift through trash for personal info and to figure out when you plan to be away. If paper shredders don’t fit into your budget, you can manually rip up important documents yourself.

It might be time to get yourself a paper shredder if you haven’t already gotten one. Thieves can get lots of information simply by looking through your trash. If a shredder is too expensive, at least tear relevant paperwork into small bits.

The best way to keep a burglar out of your garage is to ensure no one can see inside. Frosted windows will keep a burglar from being able to see inside. The material needed to do this can be found at home improvement stores. Also, don’t leave your door open for long periods of time when you work there.

Make sure a surveillance system is part of your home security system. Setting up hidden and visible video cameras is a good way to keep your home secure. Intruders will stay away from your home if they notice cameras and hidden cameras can help identify intruders if they disable the most visible cameras. You can sometimes access security systems using your cell phone, keeping you informed on the go.

When checking out security companies, ask whether they allow you to choose between buying or leasing the system. Buying will cost you more initially for the equipment, but will save you a monthly bill. The initial cost of leasing may seem low, but you may be required to sign a long term contract and it may carry a higher monthly fee. Investigate each option and determine which makes more sense.

Make sure no one can look inside your garage. Frost your windows with film bought at a hardware store. Also, do not leave doors open.

Install a hard-wired system if you want to minimize maintenance costs. Wireless systems, while convenient, will require much more maintenance. Also, your home will not be protected if you neglect to use fresh batteries. Replacing several batteries will quickly add up.

A great security system for your home is a dog. They generally bark when someone comes close to their property. The dog doesn’t have to be huge or even vicious. Small dogs are noisy and unpredictable and very good at deterring burglars.

Ask your security company if they offer motion sensitive lighting. This is often an option from a good company. Motion sensitive lighting turns on when a person approaches your home in the dark. This provides added security when you enter the premises and can be a great burglar deterrent.

If you have rooms that are off limits to kids and company, the following is a great solution. You can have key-less locks which require a code. You can install these locks yourself or have them professionally installed.

Many people avoid the neighborhood busybody, but try getting on their good side. Your neighbors will probably notice people lurking near your house when you are gone. If you become friendly with them, the chance of them placing you under alert increases.

If you are away, pull your shades closed. Leaving the curtains up invites people to peer into your living room. If something desirable is visible, you can expect a break in. You ought to turn the curtains down if you are sleeping as well.

Women stand a much better chance of being the victims of home invasions, particularly if they live alone or with kids. Put muddy boots on the doorstep so that it appears there is a big man that lives in your home. This can deter criminals from going into your home.

You need to inquire about whether you can buy or lease the home security equipment. Purchasing equipment outright will cost more initially, but may offer savings over the long term. Leasing is a good way to avoid the initial expense, but you will have to pay monthly fees. Look into both choices to know which one is better for your personal circumstances.

When it comes to locks, remember that you have to be able to lock it from both the inside and outside for maximum security. Deadbolts are the best choice, because you need a key for the inside and outside.

There are lots of things that can go wrong with home security, so homeowners should be very vigilant. You can find out some great ideas in this article to help keep your home safe. Implement all these ideas in order to get the most out of your home security efforts.

There are many benefits to adopting a dog, especially one with a large bark. Burglars would not want to deal with potentially being bitten or attacked. Consider getting your family an animal companion that can contribute to the security of the home in addition to being a lovable pet.