Having a secure place that you can live in could be a big task for an average person. But, it need not be time-consuming or costly. If you take time to read the article below, you will see that it is easier and a lot less costly that what you’ve expected.

Do not give the key to your home to your cleaning person unless you are certain they are worthy of your trust. If you plan on giving them the key so that they can work in your home for over an hour, make sure that they’re reputable, hardworking, and honest. Check their references fully. If it is a known company, check with your local BBB.

You should always make sure your home looks like its occupied. Purchase timers for electronics, lights, radios and TVs so that they will turn on and off at varied intervals. This way, your house will always look occupied. This helps you keep your house burglar-free.

Do you keep your dog outside if you leave the home? Your furry friend is also a great storage place for your extra key. Attach your spare key inside the collar of your dog. This is especially useful if the dog does not take kindly to strangers.

It is a good idea to replace all the locks on the new home you buy. Many people may have been given keys by the former owner. Call a locksmith as soon as you can for maximum security. Do the same thing if you happen to misplace a key.

Don’t just hide your spare key anywhere. Intruders will more than likely check under your doormat or above your door frame. An example would be to attach a key to your dog’s collar, if he stays outdoors.

Let a house cleaner have your keys only if they can provide you with references so you can verify their trustworthiness. Be sure any home cleaner you give your key to is trustworthy and reputable. Go over their references and do some background research on the company they work for. Call the Better Business Bureau to see if their firm is well-reviewed.

Don’t post online when you’ll be away from your home. It’s natural to be excited about your trip, but this is as good as throwing out the welcome mat for people who know your home is unoccupied.

Comparison shopping is essential when seeking a security system for the home. Different companies can provide equivalent levels of service and security, but their prices can vary wildly. Obtain quotes from a minimum of three home security companies before making a final decision.

Make your home safer by storing your car inside the garage. Keep the car within the garage will make sure no one harms or steals it. This can also keep people from knowing your schedule.

If you have an extensive online presence that includes a lot of people you don’t know too well, avoid announcing upcoming vacations. While it is exciting to go to a new place and have a good time, you are letting thieves know that your house will be empty and they can come right in.

You never want people to be able to see your valuables from outside of your home. A big front window gives you a good view; however, it also gives burglars a good view of the interior of your house. If you’ve got street facing windows, be sure and keep them covered.

Get rid of all of the dead wood and vegetation in your yard during the summer months. They are a potential fire hazard during warmer months. Keep these cleared away regularly to maintain your home’s safety and to keep it in good shape.

While choosing your alarm system, ask about protection for windows and motion detection as well as doors. Your windows are easy entry points for crooks too. Be certain they are also alarmed and monitored. They are the most effective.

The walls of your home make for great hiding spots. Concealing small valuables in your walls is an easy and highly effective way to protect them. Any phone jack or electrical outlet that isn’t being used is a great place to hide valuables. If you have no unused plates, you can put in a fake one.

If you have a home security system installed, make sure the wires are hidden. An intruder can easily disable your security system by cutting the wires. Don’t make it easier for them, so have wires hidden in the house’s walls or buried. You will be much safer.

When selecting a home alarm system, choose one that protects many areas of your home, not just the doors. Intruders can enter through your windows too. You want a security system that monitors all your windows and doors. With this method, your family will be safer.

Be sure to replace rotten wood in the frame of your front door. An intruder can simply pry away that rotted wood and enter your home. Wood that is beginning to rot should always be replaced to make sure your home stays safe.

Whenever you move to a new dwelling, make certain to get each lock replaced. Regardless of how trustworthy you consider the last owners to be, neither you nor they can be sure that there aren’t others out there with keys to those locks. You should also keep in mind that other people may have lived in the home before the previous homeowner.

Be sure your home is well lit on the outside. A burglar prefers to sneak around in the dark, and a well lit house is always a deterrent. Motion sensor lights can work great because they can also alert you when someone does come onto the property. Don’t forget that this includes ground-level windows as well as doors, garages, and porches.

Obtain flashlights with solid batteries, and ensure they are kept in all the rooms of your home in the event of a power outage. It is extremely important that you have flashlights because they allow you to move around easier in the dark, which is especially useful in an emergency. Be sure everyone in your family is aware of the location of emergency flashlights.

If you arrive home and you see that your door is ajar, never enter to investigate on your own. This can be dangerous since the intruder might still be on the property. Your best bet is to contact the authorities and wait outside for them to get there.

Whenever seeking out home-security companies, the Internet can be a valuable resource, so utilize it. Many websites feature reviews, testimonials, and package details from home security services. From there, you can make appointments with your top three selections to compare final package pricing and specific details about plans and monitoring.

Look into wireless security systems. It may cost less to get a wired system; however, rewiring to accommodate the system may be difficult. Additionally, power outages may negatively impact your system. Wireless systems are much easier to install, and they can work independently of your home’s power.

Shred any documents and junk mail that contains identifying information. You would be surprised at how often thieves look through trash to find personal information to find out when you will be away from home so they can break in. You could also simply take care to tear up your discarded papers.

Install a home surveillance system. You can make a huge difference in your home’s security by putting in cameras whether they’re concealed or out in the open. Also, you can capture the intruder in the act. Many surveillance systems can even be accessed via cell phone, allowing you to check up on your home when you are away.

If you purchase a new, pricey electronic like a TV or computer, don’t leave the empty box near your curb. Burglars will see these boxes and recognize that there are new valubles in your house. Break the boxes down, or take a scissors to them to help them fit in your trash can.

A great protection against burglars is owning a dog. Dogs are quite protective of their masters and home, and they can display quite a bark if someone comes near the house. Keeping a huge and ferocious canine is not necessary. A small or medium dog will bark to alert you if it is properly trained.

Can you read your house numbers while in the street? If there is need for cops to come to your home, it will be hard for them to find it if the numbers are not readable or are tiny. This is a very easy issue to have rectified.

Don’t keep your car registration inside the glove compartment. Anyone with access to your car can find out where you live, so it is not a smart thing to do. Instead, keep the registration in your wallet or a lock box in the trunk. You should have easy access to them if you should be pulled over.

With the above advice, you can better secure your home. Begin making changes around the home. The result will be a home whose security you can rely on. Then you will find it easy to relax and feel comfortable.

Don’t hide your keys in obvious places. An easily moved object close to the door is the first place a burglar will look. Doormats, too. It’s best to ask a trusted friend or even a neighbor to hold the extra key. If you have no trustworthy neighbors, try to be more creative.