Creating a home that is safe can feel like a daunting task. But there is no need for it to be tough or costly. By reading the below article, you’ll realize that you can take significant steps in protecting your home.

Consider using your dog as a place to store your spare key. This works with a dog that stays outside or a dog with a pet door. Simply attach a spare key to your dog’s collar (in a secure and non-visible place, of course) so that you’ll be able to retrieve it if you need it.

A home security system has other features in addition to sounding an alarm when there is a break-in. They can actually be set to chime whenever a monitored door is opened. Parents riding herd on small children will be thankful for this feature which makes it harder for kids to sneak outside without supervision.

Be smart about where you decide to hide spare keys. Doormats and door frames are predictable places that burglars will always check. Hide your alternative key on your dog’s collar.

Purchase ceiling, flooring and roofing that is fire resistant. This is a good way to protect your home against fires, for instance if you live near power lines or in a dry area. Fire prevention is paramount.

Ask your friends for advice before you choose a home security system or company. Most will be willing to share their likes, loves and loathes, especially as they realize how important it is to you. Do your research; it will help you make a good decision in the end.

Be sure you have secured your attached garage. It is possible for an intruder to get in the garage and then gain access to the house; however, you can do something about it. You can use a C-clamp to secure the door and prevent it from being opened by strangers.

Make sure the ringer on any phones in your home is turned off when you leave for vacation. If a burglar keeps hearing your phone ring, they’ll know the home is not occupied, making it more likely for a break-in to occur.

See if your local police department offers any home inspection or other protection programs. They may offer things such as home inspections, engraving tool loans, and other guidance about securing your house. Speak with the police in your area to see if they have these things.

Take advantage of any and all security resources your local police force makes available to homeowners. Many have quite a few helpful programs that you take, like on self-defense or other things related to your home. Your police department will be able to help you find out what is available in your town.

Make your home safer by storing your car inside the garage. Protect your car from vandals by keeping it in the garage. If you keep your car in the garage instead of in the driveway, it is harder for thieves to know whether you are at home or not.

Install motion-sensor lights. These lights will come on if someone walks near your house. Not only will they notify you of movement, they will also deter potential burglars, as thieves want to remain as inconspicuous as possible. Just remember that you must change the bulbs often in order to keep the lights working in order.

Get creative and hide valuables inside your walls. It’s not necessary to cut out parts of your wall to do this. Take a closer look at your walls and note just how many access points there are already. How about unwiring an electricity socket and using it as cover for a place to stash valuable jewelry?

Keep your most valuable possessions inside your walls. It is unnecessary cut space into your wall. You can find areas in your walls that are pre-cut and use those. Why not take the guts out of an electrical socket you’re not using? You can convert it into a convenient and covert little wall safe.

Keep valuables out of sight of windows. You might enjoy large windows so you can see out, but just remember that makes it easier for those burglars to see inside your home as well. Windows facing the street need to be covered to keep inside possessions safe.

If you have any boxes to discard from large, expensive items, wait until the evening before the trash is scheduled for collection. These boxes sitting outside your home serve as a flag for thieves to target your home.

If you install a security system, make certain to hide the wires well. Intruders can disable a system if they see the wires. Make it hard for intruders and bury the wires or hide them inside your walls, if possible. This helps keep you and your family safe.

It is important to always have fresh batteries and flashlights handy around the house. This is important for you to be able to see should your power go out or you suffer an emergency. If you have kids, teach them how to properly use the flashlights so everyone in the family can help out during a power outage.

Are you aware that the wires located on the exterior of your house have value? This is something few homeowners realize until they become victims of wiring theft. Experienced criminals can make a decent amount of money quickly by stripping copper wiring off of houses in order to sell it at a scrapyard. Make sure the wiring is concealed or difficult to access in order to keep this valuable item safe.

Check someone’s references carefully before letting them come into your home. A background check is also recommended so you know if they have a criminal history. You need to be very careful with the contractors, repairmen or maids you trust with being alone in your home.

If you are moving into a new home, change the locks right away. While you may trust those who lived there before you, you have no idea who lived there before them. Find a reliable locksmith who can replace the locks or do it yourself.

If you need to make the outside of your home secure, you can achieve this relatively inexpensively by installing lights with motion detectors. Cost-effective and aesthetically pleasing, these lights really add value to your home. If placed strategically around the house, motion detectors can make it very tough for criminals to get to your property.

Do your landscaping keeping safety in mind. Do not obstruct doors and windows with plants or furniture. If they can be seen, people will not hide there and attempt a break-in. If you want to have a garden around your home, keep trees and shrubs away from your house.

A reputable security company will send a representative to your home to design a custom system. They should take your concerns seriously and address any issues you have. If you’ve found a company that can tailor a system to you, you can receive the greatest amount of security to make you feel much more comfortable.

Armed with the tips presented here, you are ready to make your home safe and secure. Start the change today. These changes will allow you to sleep well at night. You’ll find yourself more relaxed before you know it.

Your home’s exterior needs to be well lit. Burglars like using darkness to hide. Add lights to any areas you believe are potential entry points for burglars. This can include the garage, doorways, porches and other areas which invite an intruder in.