When it comes to keeping your home secure, understanding your options is key. This is not a decision to take lightly. Rather, you’ve got to determine the best way to protect your family.

Do you have an outside dog? If so, the dog can be a terrific spot to keep a spare key. Put the key on the dog’s collar. If your dog is suspicious of strangers, you have found a good hiding place for your key.

Your dog could carry a spare key for you. This is a great idea if your dog is outside all the time, or they can get out through a doggy door. Keep a spare key around the dog’s collar.

Purchase a safe to lock all of the extremely valuable items in your home in one place. This is very important, as you do not want your gold, diamonds and personal items exposed if someone were to break into your house. This safe should be hidden in a location where burglars won’t find it, such as a hole in the wall, the attic, or a basement closet.

Shop around when looking for a good home security system. Prices for home security systems can vary and they do not all offer the same services. Get a quote from several companies before making a final decision.

When you buy a new house, be sure the locks are changed. You have no clue how many people were given keys by the former owner. To make sure you’re the only person that can get into your home, contact a locksmith. Do the same thing if you misplace your keys.

It is important to invest in building supplies that are as fire resistant as possible. These materials will protect your home from both internal fires and the spread of fires that start on other properties. Preventing a fire is important since it can cause a lot of damage.

Get advice from loved ones about home security systems. They may have had experiences with certain companies and can lead you in the right direction. Do your research; it will help you make a good decision in the end.

Do you have a dog that stays in your yard when you’re not at home? Use him or her to help hide your spare key! Conceal it in the dog’s collar. Especially if pets don’t like strangers, this can be a useful way for having easy access to your house.

Never allow any strangers into your home. Even if they tell you a sob story about needing help, this warning remains true. There are some people who will just come in to see if you have a home security system, and if you do not, they could come back later when you are not home.

Garage Doors

Don’t post information about an upcoming vacation anywhere on the web. 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.

Your garage needs to be secure. A lot of garage owners fret over burglars entering this way, but there are answers. A C-clamp is very useful for garage doors that lift on tracks. It will prevent garage doors from opening up whenever it is near the roller and is tight on the track.

Keep your car in the garage. Protect your car from vandals by keeping it in the garage. Keeping your car in your garage also keeps a thief from knowing whether you are at home or not.

Motion-sensor lights can alert you of a robbery before it even happens. They will illuminate your property if they sense any movement near your home. Not only will they notify you of movement, they will also deter potential burglars, as thieves want to remain as inconspicuous as possible. Just remember and change out the light bulbs whenever necessary.

Meet with representatives from the security company you are considering to determine if they are trustworthy. This is definitely the case if you’re not quite sure about the actual installation people. Never hesitate to has for a new technician or even go with a different company altogether. At the end of the day, your efforts are so that you feel more comfortable.

Don’t think you’re not at risk just because you don’t live in a big city. On a different note, some people believe homeowners in more rural areas are more likely to experience robberies because of the lack of nearby neighbors. Others hold that burglars are not as likely to target rural areas.

If you reside in the country, you may be less worried about break-ins than urban dwellers are. People who live in the country may even be more vulnerable because they do not have nearby neighbors. Some think rural areas see less burglary.

When you pick an alarm system, it’s a good idea to get one that provides protection for both doors and windows. Windows are a way for thieves to enter your home as well. Be certain they are also alarmed and monitored. This is vital to keeping your family safe.

If the home you are moving into is not brand new, you should change the locks on all the doors. You do not want anyone to have a copy of the key. It is possible to purchase and put in locks on your own so you can be assured you have the only keys.

Don’t ever put your spare key under your doormat or in a planter. Instead of letting you into your home in the event you are locked out, you are providing criminals with easy access to your home. Intruders know about the usual hiding spots. Give it to a neighbor you trust instead.

If someone from the security company comes to your home, ask to see their ID before allowing them in. They might not be who you think they are. This represents a danger to your possessions and your family. Be careful to avoid this sort of danger.

Always ask for references before letting a contractor or a maid in your home. Perform a background check to learn about their criminal history, too. You don’t know whether the contractor, maid, or repairman that you’ve hired is trustworthy and handing them your keys could be a costly mistake.

When choosing an alarm system, consider one that offers protection for more than just your doors. It should protect the windows too. You want to be sure that the alarm is connected to all windows and entry points. The safety of your family will be ensured.

Before signing up for a particular home-security company, find out how long they’ve been around. Companies that have been around for awhile show that they can provide reliable support. You may not feel as safe if you opt to go with a company that has not been in business for long or that does not have a stable history.

One of the best home burglary systems is man’s best friend. Dogs can be extremely protective of their space and are great at barking when something is afoot. There is no need for a mean, big dog either. Small dogs also help, because intruders don’t want people to notice the barking.

Were you aware that your home’s wires are valuable? Lots of people don’t know this until their wires are stolen. Wiring can be removed from the outside of a home in a heartbeat. To protect this expensive asset, hide your wires or make them hard to get to.

Do not use locks with spring latches. These type of locks can actually be opened by using a credit card. The lock can be triggered to open by simply wedging the card in the lock. Add a deadbolt if you do not want to replace your spring latch locks.

Establish some good relations with your neighbors. A busybody who likes you is sure to tell you about suspicious characters in the neighborhood. You will even be able to ask your neighbors to keep an eye on your home if you are going on a vacation.

Put a surveillance system in your home. Both hidden and visible security cameras are effective in protecting your home. Intruders can be deterred to visible cameras, but hidden cameras are better if criminals damage the other cameras. You can sometimes access security systems using your cell phone, keeping you informed on the go.

Buy security systems from a company over someone reselling it. Resellers just want to make money off your purchase, but they don’t give guarantees. Also, the manufacturer will not add on extra fees, and will provide consistent service for their equipment.

Now that you have read this, you should know much more about the subject. Do not make home security decisions without knowledge. It is important that the safety of your home and your family is your priority. Keep this advice in mind for the future.

Break down the boxes from your new TV or computer rather than leaving them on the side of the road. Burglars pay attention to this, and it will make them want to break in and get the items. Break down the box, and take it to the local recycling center.