Keeping your family and your home sage is a common concern. Burglaries are becoming more and more common, and there are other things to be concerned about as well, such as a flood or a fire. The following article has some great information to help keep your home safe and secure.

Change the locks after buying a new house. You don’t know how many keys have been handed out previously. Call a locksmith to make sure you’re the only one with access to your home. Make sure you do the same thing if you lose your keys sometime.

Do you keep your dog outdoors when you are away from home? Store the spare key with them. Attach the key inside their collar and make sure it can’t be seen. If your dog does not like strangers, this can help ensure consistent access to the house.

Talk to people you know about their security systems. You can benefit from the experience of others that have gone before you by paying attention to their recommendations and warnings. Spending a few days asking for reviews is useful in helping you choose correctly.

Do not forget to secure the garage attached to your home. 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. Using a C-clamp on the garage door will prevent it from opening by staying on the door’s track.

If your home has a lot of valuable items inside, then you need to purchase a safe so that all of these items can be kept in a single location. If a burglar enters your home, he or she will have a hard time making off with your possessions. Conceal the safe in an out-of-the-way and not easily accessible spot, such as an attic or a basement area.

In the summer, remove all the dead trees from your yard. These are vulnerable to fires and put your home in danger. Keep your yard clear so it is a safe area.

The walls of your home make for great hiding spots. You should think about hiding certain small valuables within your walls. Just access unused switch plates, outlets or phone jacks. If you have no unused plates, you can put in a fake one.

When you decide to purchase a home alarm system, make sure you comparison shop. Each company has different rates for their security system. Get quotes from no less than three companies before choosing the best one.

Ensure that valuables are stored in a hidden area that isn’t visible from outside your home. Although large windows in your home can provide your home with a lot of light, they can also provide burglars with an excellent view of the inside of your home. You should cover any windows that are facing the street so your valuables will be safe.

When you choose an alarm system, pick one that offers protection that goes beyond the doors. Each window represents a possible entry for your thief. Be sure your alarm is secured to them all and that monitoring is in place for every point of entry. This is great for keeping the family secure.

If you have an extensive online presence that includes a lot of people you don’t know too well, avoid announcing upcoming vacations. Although you may want to let others in on your excitement, it may inadvertently give burglars a heads up to target your property.

Rotted Wood

Replace rotted wood that surrounds your door frame. Anyone hoping to enter your home can very easily do so by just prying away the rotted wood. Replace any wood that has begun to rot with new wood so that your house stays safe.

You should talk to your friends and family about advice concerning certain home security companies. There are likely people you know that have had either good or bad experiences with these companies. Making a great choice is important, so this advice will come in handy.

If you are moving into a home that had a previous owner, then you should immediately change the locks. They previous occupants may have made copies of the keys. You might even purchase and install your own locks so that you are assured of having the only keys.

If you scheduled an appointment for a member of the security company to come to your house, ask them to show you some identification first. Criminals can easily pretend to be from a security firm as a means to gain entry to the house. This puts your household and valuables at considerable risk. Be cautious to stay away from those potential dangers.

When planning to go away for a holiday, be sure to turn off the ringers on your home phones. A loud ring that goes unanswered can alert people to the fact that you aren’t home. This makes you more likely to be the victim of a burglary.

Landscape your home with safety in mind. Do not obstruct doors and windows with plants or furniture. Do not give robbers a chance to hide in any area. Plan features like these further from your home to have a safe, beautiful design.

There are simply so many potential dangers that threaten a home’s security that it’s a necessity for homeowners to take steps to improve their safety. You can find out some great ideas in this article to help keep your home safe. Use these concepts as a means to increase the safety level of your home.

Do not open your door for people you do not know. Nowadays, thieves are creative when thinking of ways to get homeowners to open a door and let them in. Be sure that everyone in your home knows not to open the door to strangers and unexpected visitors.