If you are concerned about the security of your home, you should be! You can never know when you’ll be a victim of a home invader. Read the tips in this article so you can get ideas on making your home safe.

Comparison shopping is essential when seeking a security system for the home. Prices for home security systems can vary and they do not all offer the same services. Get quotes from several companies so that you can get the best price for your home security system.

A spare key must be carefully hidden and not in the obvious spots that a person might think. Avoid cliched hiding places like over the door frame or beneath the doormat. Experienced criminals will check these places immediately. Try hiding the key in your outside dog’s collar.

If you will be vacationing for an extended period of time, turn off the ringer on all the phones in your house. A constantly ringing phone can signal to a burglar that the house is vacant, making it an easy target for their criminal activities.

If your garage is attached to your house, make it secure. Some people are concerned about burglars entering through an attached garage. You can use a C-clamp to secure the door and prevent it from being opened by strangers.

Don’t open your door if a stranger is on the other side. Nowadays, people invent many stories of why they should come in. For instance, they may say they need to call a mechanic or the police. However, their true intent is to rob you. Make sure everyone in your house knows not to open the door unless they know the person standing outside.

Eliminate dead vegetation and wood in the yard in the summer. This can be a fire hazard, especially if you live in an area with high heat. Make sure your yard is clean for the sake of your safety – and that of your family!

Even if you have a great security system, it must be checked annually. This is a job for professionals; get a security firm to inspect your equipment. There are many things that can reduce the quality of your system. You might not even discover these problems if they aren’t easily sighted.

Is your garage used for storage? Consider removing those items and keeping your car there instead. It will be far more secure against thieves. Keep the car within the garage will make sure no one harms or steals it. Besides, intruders will have a hard time determining whether or not you are home if you keep your car inside your garage.

End your shyness. Introduce yourself to your neighbors. Keep an eye out for their houses, and request that they return the favor. It’s best to be in on any rumors in the area. You never know what sort of security issues you might become privy to.

Do not be shy. It is important to communicate with others who also live in your area. Keep an eye on their houses and yards and request that they return the favor. Do not ignore gossip either. It is often a good way to find out about security issues, such as strangers in the neighborhood.

Always change the locks if you have someone move out of your home. This could be an ex-spouse or roommate you got into a fight with. It shouldn’t cost too much, and the process can be completed very quickly.

Trust your instincts when it comes to hiring a home security company. If the installers give you the heebie-jeebies, it’s not a good sign. You should not hesitate to ask if you can work with a different representative or find a different company if you are not comfortable. The point of that system is to feel safer after all.

Be sure to secure the skylights to your home. Skylights are commonly used by thieves to enter a home. Use heavy-duty hardware to secure your skylights to the roof.

If you have skylights, do not neglect them when making sure your home is secure. Skylights are nice to bring extra light into your house, but they are also easy ways for burglars to enter your home. Your skylights should have strong components that can withstand tampering.

You could hide some valuables within your walls. This doesn’t necessarily involve chopping up your walls, either. Your home should have a few pre-cut areas that can be used. Remove the wires from an electric socket you do not use so you can hide your valuable jewelry.

Take off your rose colored glasses and realize that bad things can happen to anyone. Things can always happen, and you need to prepare yourself. If you make use of the advice you’ve just read, you should be able to make your home into a safer and more secure environment for your family.

When you purchase big, expensive items be sure to break down the boxes and take them to the recycling center yourself. If you set these boxes out with the trash, thieves will know you have expensive items in your house.