Misfortune may strike at any time. Do not endanger your family by falling short on safety. The article below contains tips and tricks to help you create a secure environment for yourself and your family.

Use your dog as the protector of your spare key. This is a great idea if your dog is outside all the time, or they can get out through a doggy door. Attach the key to your dog’s collar, and it will be handy if you ever need a spare.

When you buy a new home, be sure to have the locks changed. You’re not aware of any copies that have been made by the previous owners of the house. You want to be sure that you’re the only one with a key. Also, if you ever lose your keys, do the same.

Be very cautious about entrusting a maid service with a key to your home. If they need the keys and plan on being in there for more than an hour, try to ensure that they are honest, hardworking, and reputable. Do a background check on them. If the cleaner has been sent by a company, call the Better Business Bureau to check on the company’s reputation.

Cleaning Person

Look at the prices for all of the security systems that you are interested in. You would be surprised to see that the prices are much different for each company, even though it’s for the same type of protection. Ensure you talk to a minimum of three companies to obtain quotes before deciding the one that you believe is best for you.

Do not give the key to your home to your cleaning person unless you are certain they are worthy of your trust. Only select service people who are totally trustworthy. One way to do this is to check their references. If your cleaning person comes from a company, check with the BBB.

If your social networking accounts are filled with folks you do not really know, do not announce vacations on the sites. This can indicate that your home will be free and vulnerable during the time.

Home security systems offer additional features besides loud alarms during a break-in. Most of them can be programmed to alert you to anyone entering your home. This is a good way to keep track of where your young children are.

Before selecting a security firm, ask for recommendations. Other people are sure to have opinions and experiences to share. Do your research; it will help you make a good decision in the end.

Secure your attached garage. There is a way to prevent burglars from entering your home through the garage. If the garage door lifts via a track, you can use a C-clamp to stop your door from opening at the hands of intruders.

Remove all of the vegetation outside in the hotter months. This can be a fire hazard, especially if you live in an area with high heat. To make sure your home is safer, clear your yard periodically.

In the summer, remove vegetation and dead wood from your yard. These can quickly become fire hazards when hit by direct sunlight, placing your house at risk. Clear yard regularly to maintain your house safe.

No matter how good your security system is, it should be checked annually. Get someone from the security firm to inspect it. There are many things that can be problematic with regards to home security systems, like wayward wild animals and the environment. If the problem cannot be seen, you probably won’t even realize there is one.

If you’re in a rural place, you might not be as worried about break-ins as those that are in the city. Due to the distance between neighbors, some think rural areas are more likely to have intruders. You need to do some research on the areas where you live to get an idea of how frequent break ins are.

Have lights that are motion-sensor installed. These lights will turn on if anyone walks too closely to your home. This lets you know something is moving and also drives off criminals. Remember that the bulbs need to be changed so that the lights keep working.

Use your wall spaces to hide your valuables. It is not necessary to cut out pieces from your wall. You can find pre-cut areas in your walls that can be used. An unused outlet can be taken apart, and the space used to create a tiny hidden safe.

A skylight is another area that needs to be protected for home security. They look great and provide light, but also are another access point. Be sure that the skylights for your home are durable and reliable.

When in the process of selecting an alarm system, you should select a system that protects more than simply the doors of your home. Your windows are easy entry points for crooks too. Have alarms installed for each window and any other entry point. This can mean the difference between a safe home and one that is an easy target.

Make sure that none of your valuables can be seen from the outside. It may be great to have large windows with a view, but this means that people can look in. Be sure to put curtains on your front-facing windows so people can’t see your valuable belongings.

Are you aware of the value contained in your home’s wiring? This is something few homeowners realize until they become victims of wiring theft. The copper wiring can be stripped and be turned in for money. In order to protect yourself from this risk, make sure wires on your house are difficult to find and hard to access.

Are you aware of the value of your home’s wires? Many people are not aware of this until they are stolen from their home. The copper in the wiring is valuable and can be stripped off of the outside of the home in a relevantly short period of time. To protect this expensive asset, hide your wires or make them hard to get to.

Rotted Wood

Obtain flashlights with solid batteries, and ensure they are kept in all the rooms of your home in the event of a power outage. If the power goes out, you will be able to see everything. Teach your children how to use the flashlights so that everyone in your household can help.

Replace rotten wood on your door frame. An intruder can simply pry away that rotted wood and enter your home. Replace rotted wood with fresh wood to make your home safer.

If the home you are moving into is not brand new, you should change the locks on all the doors. The previous tenant or owner may not have the keys, but you don’t know if they made copies for themselves or others. You can purchase locks and install them yourself to ascertain that only you have a key.

You want to know what is included in a contract if you’re signing up with a security company. There may be hidden costs in the event you wish to cancel before the end of the contract. This may also be true if you need more or different equipment in the future. You’ll want to avoid any surprises so be sure and read your contract carefully.

Find out how long a company has been in operation before signing a home security contract. Look for a security company that is well-established and has extensive experience in the industry. You get better peace of mind if you deal with someone you know you can trust for the long haul.

The areas outside your home should be kept well lit. Burglars prefer the cover that night provides their criminal activities. Install lights by each and every entryway to your home. Don’t forget that this includes ground-level windows as well as doors, garages, and porches.

A reputable security company will send a representative to your home to design a custom system. Every homeowner has specific needs for their home and their family. If you have found a company that could cater to your needs, then it is easy to get the security that will make you and your loved ones comfortable.

If you’re planning to be out of your home for a period of time, have a neighbor remove any fliers placed on your door. Thieves have put them up in order to see if people are home to take them down. If their fliers are not moved, the crook knows the home is unattended.

Wireless security systems are the next generation in protection. Systems that are wired are cheaper, but they need unattractive wiring inside your home and may malfunction when you have a power outage. Wireless systems tend to be easier for installation and maintenance, and they will not go out if your power does.

A great way to deter criminals from getting into the garage is to make sure nobody sees inside it. Cover your windows with frosting; this could be purchased at hardware stores. They prevent people from peeking inside. Don’t leave your front door unlocked or standing open when you are working in the garage or yard.

Put the boxes of any expensive electronic items in your trash can so would-be burglars won’t know see them. Burglars can see these and they know that you have them in your home, increasing your chances of a break-in. When you empty the boxes, cut them up and throw them away so that burglars do not see them.

Criminals are not predictable, and a break-in of your home can happen at any time. Don’t just cross your fingers and hope. Take a proactive stance on home security. Use what you’ve just read to secure your home.

Do not store your car registration in your glove box. If someone accesses these documents, they can determine your address. Keep them in your wallet or in another safe place like your trunk. You should have easy access to them if you should be pulled over.