Do you wonder what options you have when it comes to the security of your home? The below article will help. This is a crucial decision in your life, so it is important to have this information on hand. You need to be armed with knowledge so you can make wise decisions.

You can hide your spare key on your dog. Really this works only if you have a pet door or if your dog is an outdoor dog. Place the alternative key on your dog’s collar in case of an emergency.

Change all of your locks when you move in. You don’t know how many keys have been handed out previously. Have a locksmith install a brand new lock. Also, if you ever lose your keys, do the same.

If someone comes to clean your home, only give them a key if they’re trustworthy. 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. Read through their references very carefully, and don’t hesitate to follow up on their references to ensure they actually exist. If the person is an employee of a firm, call your local BBB to check their reputation.

Home security systems do more than sounding an alarm in case of a break in. They can actually be set to chime whenever a monitored door is opened. This is great for parents that have small children so that they know when their kids open or close doors.

Do you keep your dog outdoors when you go out? Use him or her to help hide your spare key! Attach the key inside their collar and make sure it can’t be seen. If your pet does not get along with strangers, this will ensure your spare key stays safe.

Think very carefully about where to hide your spare key. Placing a key above a door or under a doormat is quite obvious! Try hiding your key somewhere more unique, like your outside dog’s collar.

Do not be reluctant to meet your neighbors. It is important to communicate with others who also live in your area. Ask them to keep an eye on your home, and do the same thing for them. Pay attention to gossip. It is often a good way to find out about security issues, such as strangers in the neighborhood.

Purchase a safe to lock all of the extremely valuable items in your home in one place. You would hate for your expensive jewelry, personal family belongings, etc. to be stolen in case a burglar breaks into your home. Keep your safe in your basement or attic to make it hard to find.

Go with your gut when you invite a home security company representative into your house. This is particularly true if you feel uncomfortable with a company you are dealing with. Never hesitate to has for a new technician or even go with a different company altogether. After all, the point of the system itself is to help you feel more at ease.

If you reside in the country, you may be less worried about break-ins than urban dwellers are. However, there is the belief that rural dwellers are more susceptible to break ins simply because there are no nearby neighbors. However, understand that regardless of where you live, a theft can occur anywhere. Therefore, you need to be prepared.

Do not tell anyone that you are going on vacation out of your friend circle. Although you may want to let others in on your excitement, it may inadvertently give burglars a heads up to target your property.

After moving into a pre-owned apartment or home, change the locks. Although other tenants might not have a key anymore, they could have copied it. You can also put the locks on yourself so you can be sure no one else has a key.

Before allowing any security company reps to come into your home, make sure they have on a uniform and they have valid ID. Many thieves use this tactic to enter a house. This leads to danger. Be careful to avoid any potential dangers.

You have a choice on who installs your security system, don’t be afraid to say no if something doesn’t feel right. If you are hesitant about the company, your gut feeling is especially important. It’s your home, and you are free to hire any company you like. At the end of the day, your efforts are so that you feel more comfortable.

Be sure your home is well lit on the outside. Thieves prefer to work in darkness. Be sure all vulnerable exterior areas of your home are equipped with good lighting. This extends to doorways, porches, garages and lower windows.

Consider your own personal safety needs and security risks before exploring home security systems. While alarm systems are great, they aren’t necessary for every family. You could, for instance, invest in an alarm system, some outside lights, adopt a dog or take some self-defense classes. Be aware of your risks to make an intelligent purchasing decisions.

Those that live in rural area are not as concerned about having their home invaded as those who are located in the city. There are some who believe country folk are more at risk because neighbors are not nearby. Not everyone believes this, though.

Wireless Security System

Think about getting a wireless security system for the home. It may cost less to get a wired system; however, rewiring to accommodate the system may be difficult. Additionally, power outages may negatively impact your system. A wireless security system is easy to install and take care of. Additionally, this type of system is not dependent upon the electrical system of the home.

Don’t forget about the skylights when securing your home. Although a skylight can bring light into one’s home and look good, it’s also a common entrance way for burglars. Skylights need to be installed correctly and safely, with hardware that will keep intruders out.

Invest in a high quality paper shredder. Thieves often dig through garbage to obtain personal data that will help them enter the house. Cutting the papers into small pieces with a pair of scissors is another option.

If you will be going out of time, have someone you trust get your mail. Also, have them look for fliers stuck in your door. Burglars sometimes tack these up and watch to see whether or not they are removed. If a flier remains on a front door for a number of days, the burglar knows the homeowner is away.

The walls of your home make for great hiding spots. Concealing small valuables in your walls is an easy and highly effective way to protect them. Simply take advantage of an unused switch plate, electrical outlet, or phone jack. Even if every single plate in your home is being used, you can purchase a fake one purpose-built for concealing valuables.

Don’t give anyone an opportunity to see inside your garage in order to ward off robbers. Frosted windows prevent thieves from looking into your home and are inexpensive. Keep your garage door closed as often as possible, too.

Hopefully, a close reading of the tips above has equipped you with some great guidance for your quest to make your home more secure. It is vital that you understand your situation because it is vital in keeping you and your family safe inside your house. Use the things you’ve learned here in order to make this a reality.

Once you’ve moved to a new house, make it a priority to replace all locks. You really don’t know much about the people who sold you the home, regardless of how competent they may seem. Many other people could have keys to the property, and you probably don’t want them to all have access to your home.