You want your family to always have that safe and secure feeling at home. When you are not home, it is important to keep your house secure. You should keep reading for some useful tips that will help you keep your home and your family safe.

Make sure that you change the locks once you’ve taken possession of the house. You don’t know the exact number of copies of that key the previous owners have or have handed out. To ensure that you are the only one who has access to your house, call a locksmith. Give a key to someone you trust in case you get locked out.

Does your dog like to play in your yard? She or he is actually a good place to keep the spare key. Find a place to securely fasten the key to your pet’s collar where it’s not visible. This works very well if you have a pet that is not very fond of strangers. You will get the access you need without having to worry about your safety.

Make sure you trust your house cleaner before you provide them with a key. Be sure to check out the background of any housekeeper you plan to provide with a key to your home. Go over their references and do some background research on the company they work for. If applicable, call the BBB to inquire about their reputation.

Home security systems have different kinds of features that can sound an alarm when someone breaks into your house. They can be programmed to alert the homeowner if a person enters the home. This is important to parents who have small children, because they will want to know if the children have opened a door.

When looking to purchase a good home security system, it is best that you look at many companies. Prices for home security systems can vary and they do not all offer the same services. Make sure to obtain quotes from a minimum of three companies prior to deciding on a final one.

Ask friends for some advice before choosing home security companies and systems. They probably have both positive and negative things to tell you, and those comments will help you make your own decision. Make sure to ask neighbors for advice too.

Motion sensor lights on the exterior of your home is a great idea. They’ll flip on when people walk within a certain distance of your house. Then you will know someone is present, and if the person is a burglar, he or she will be very likely to turn around and leave. Remember to keep working bulbs in them at all times.

Shut off phone ringers inside the home if you’re going to be gone for quite a while. If the phone continues to ring while you’re gone, this lets an intruder know that the home is empty.

When securing your home, don’t forget about skylights. While they are nice and help with lighting, they also provide the burglars help with access to your home. Be certain to have skylights that incorporate strong, durable hardware.

If you have an attached garage, don’t forget to secure it as well. Intruders could easily break into your garage and access your home. If your garage door happens to lift on a track, using a C-clamp can help. the C-clamp prevents the door from opening if it’s tightened on the track close to the roller.

Do not place your spare keys under your mat or even in plant boxes. Though you may think you are giving yourself a way into your home if you lose your key, you are actually inadvertently inviting intruders into your home. Burglars are familiar with these hiding spots. If you have a neighbor you can trust, have them hold your extra key.

Have lights that are motion-sensor installed. When a person walks by your home too closely, these lights will go on. These lights will not only let you know when someone gets too close, they will also stop potential burglars from breaking in. After all, burglars don’t want anyone to know they are there. However, make sure to put in fresh bulbs every now and then.

If you have a home security system installed, make sure the wires are hidden. A burglar will simply cut the wires if he can see them. This makes it much easier for a thief to get inside your home. Keep the wires protected. You will be much safer.

When choosing a home security firm, trust your instincts. This is especially important when it comes to the company employees who will be installing your system. Don’t hesitate to request a different technician or to hire a new company altogether. You want your new system to protect you, not be the way the thief gets into your home.

Once you’ve moved to a new house, make it a priority to replace all locks. The old owners may seem nice, but you don’t know everything about them. People may have lived in the home before those owners, too.

Lock your home when you leave, even if you don’t think you will be away for long. It may be a little surprising, but most burglaries and break-ins happen because the intruder just walks right through an open door. A thief can take plenty of valuables in minutes.

Before you let a security company representative enter your home, make sure they are in uniform, and don’t hesitate to ask them for identification. It is very common for thieves to pretend to be company reps in order to get into your home. This can be extremely dangerous to your home and loved ones. Be careful to avoid this sort of danger.

Prior to allowing access to anyone, make sure you are shown proper identification. For a relatively small fee, you can also run a background check for their criminal history. You can’t always be sure that maids, service workers or contractors are honest, and therefore giving out keys can be a big error.

Be sure to get a home security service that will inspect your home and tailor a home security system just for you. Each homeowner has different priorities in terms of home security. When you choose a company that pays close attention to detail in creating your home security plan, you will feel very secure.

There is plenty of information you can use to protect your home. How do you plan to use this advice in your house? Stay abreast of new developments in the field and learn everything you need to know about home security.

You may want to get a security system that is wireless. While systems with wires are cheaper, you have to rewire your home and worry about power outages. A wireless system is easy to install, and will not become inoperable if your power goes out.