If you are unsure what your security options for your home are, then keep reading in order to learn more. Home security is a complex and costly topic that requires a great deal of thought. You need to be armed with knowledge so you can make wise decisions.

When you buy a new home, be sure to have the locks changed. You cannot be sure of the number of key copies that the former owner gave out. Find a good locksmith who can replace the lock and make a few copies of your key. Do the same thing if you misplace your keys.

Always make your house appear to be occupied. You can buy timers to have radios, TVs, lights and other electronics go off and on at different times. This makes it look as though people are home no matter what. This is just one of the many precautions you can take to secure your home.

Do you keep your dog outdoors when you go out? Your furry friend is also a great storage place for your extra key. You can attach your key to your dog’s collar in order to keep the key hidden. Your dog is an especially good key hiding spot if he doesn’t react well to strangers, since they won’t approach him, but the key will be there if you need it.

Let a house cleaner have your keys only if they can provide you with references so you can verify their trustworthiness. Make sure you know they are legitimate before giving out the key. One way to do this is to check their references. If it is a known company, check with your local BBB.

Home security plans have other features along with an alarm that goes off during a break-in. Many systems sound an alert whenever people enter the house. Parents of children can track their kids this way.

If you’ve got lots of people you don’t know on your social networks, don’t let them know that you’re going to be on vacation. Although your first instinct is to share the news about an upcoming trip that excites you, the info may well fall into the hands of people who’d be interested in burglarizing your home while you’re away.

Be smart about where you decide to hide spare keys. Intruders will think to look on the top if a door frame and under a doormat. Hide your alternative key on your dog’s collar.

Do not open your door for people you do not know. Burglars have many clever ways to convince householders to open the door. You should only open the door to people you were expecting.

Use your garage for your car, not just storage. Keeping your car in your house will deter intruders from vandalizing or stealing it. Hiding the car from plain sight can keep possible intruders from figuring out when you’re home and also when you are not.

You need to be sure the attached garage of yours is secure. Lots of people are afraid that burglars will be able to break into their garage, which will result in them breaking into the home. Thankfully, you can prevent this. Place a C-Clamp on the door track near the roller. This will prevent the door from lifting.

Don’t hide an extra key under a rock or in a planter. While you may feel that you are keeping yourself safe by allowing a way in for yourself, you are also allowing everyone else to visit whenever they want. Burglars are well aware of these hiding places. Rather, give your spare key to a neighbor or friend that you trust.

Take advantage of any and all security resources your local police force makes available to homeowners. They may offer neighborhood watch programs, home inspections, engraving tools for marking code numbers onto items so that they will be easily identified if stolen. Your police department will be able to help you find out what is available in your town.

It is important that your valuables are not visible from anywhere outside your house. 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. Windows facing the street need to be covered to keep inside possessions safe.

Do not be reluctant to meet your neighbors. Engage your neighbors in conversation. Keep an eye on their houses and yards and request that they return the favor. It does not necessarily pay to steer clear of gossip. You will learn a lot from your neighbors, including details about recent break ins in the area and the shady individuals they noticed.

When selecting an alarm set-up, think about getting one that protects not just the doors in your home. Your windows are also points of entry for burglars. Be sure your alarm is secured to them all and that monitoring is in place for every point of entry. The safety of your family will be ensured.

Walls can serve as a handy hiding place. Concealing small valuables in your walls is an easy and highly effective way to protect them. Just access unused switch plates, outlets or phone jacks. If you use all of them, you can always have fake ones installed.

When you purchase big, expensive items be sure to break down the boxes and take them to the recycling center yourself. Having these boxes nearby can tell robbers what kind of merchandise you’ve got in your house.

Always lock your home, even if you plan on coming back within a few minutes. It is more common than you would believe for a thief to find a home, try the door and walk right in when it’s unlocked. A thief can steal lots of stuff in a little amount of time.

You should think about your own safety when comparing different home security options. While these systems could be good for protecting your family, they aren’t for everyone. In some cases the security system is your best investment, in others you well-served with an alert dog or reinforced locking systems. Before you sink a lot of money into your home’s security, make sure that you’re properly addressing your particular risks.

If you’ve read this article carefully, you’re ready to proceed. It’s important to take home security seriously. Apply your new knowledge to make certain things stay safe.

A wireless security system for your home is a great option. A wired system should be less expensive but you might have to spend your money on getting your home rewired. Wireless systems tend to be easier for installation and maintenance, and they will not go out if your power does.