If you are a homeowner, you should know the importance of being safe. Nothing is worse than having your house harmed or ruined. Your home is more than your biggest investment, it is a place where you build memories. Keep reading for ways to make sure your home remains protected.

Your home should always look like it is occupied. You could purchase timers which make lights and TV’s, as well as other devices, power on or off at varying intervals. This will give the appearance that someone is at your house at all times. This is an excellent technique that helps avoid robberies while keeping the property safe.

After you purchase a new home, change the locks. There is no way to ascertain how many keys the previous owner handed out. Get a locksmith in right away. Make sure you do the same thing if you lose your keys sometime.

Make sure that you change the locks once you’ve taken possession of the house. You don’t know how many keys have been handed out previously. Find a good locksmith who can replace the lock and make a few copies of your key. In addition, replace your locks if your keys ever get lost.

Shop around when looking for a good home security system. Prices vary greatly in regards to the same protection for each company. Get quotes from several companies before making a decision.

Do you keep your dog outside if you leave the home? This is a good spot for keeping your spare key. Hook your key to the dog’s collar in a place that is shielded from view. This is the perfect place to store a spare key, especially if your dog doesn’t care for strangers.

Avoid opening the door if you don’t know who is standing on the other side. Folks are always thinking up new schemes to get people to open the door so that they can commit their crimes. Create the rule that you just open a door to people that you expect to arrive.

The materials of your home should be fire resistant. These materials will protect your home from both internal fires and the spread of fires that start on other properties. It’s best to prevent a fire before it starts.

You can hide certain valuables within your walls. You do not have to damage your walls to keep your valuables safe. There should be pre-cut spaces throughout your home that will suffice. What about un-wiring an electrical socket which isn’t used to utilize as a cover to hide your jewelry?

Before leaving for vacation, turn off the ringers in your house. A constantly ringing phone can signal to a burglar that the house is vacant, making it an easy target for their criminal activities.

Don’t put extra keys under doormats or in planters. While you may need to prepare if you have a spare key, it is wise to choose ways that do not increase the risk of a criminal gaining entrance to your home. Rest assured, thieves have a good idea about these hiding places. Rather, give your key to a neighbor you find trustworthy.

Don’t open your door when strangers are knocking. Criminals find ways to get people to open doors so they can commit crimes. You should only open the door to people you were expecting.

Do not let people on the street see valuable items in your home. If you have big windows near your big entertainment system, it can seem like an invitation to thieves. If you have windows that face the street, always keep them covered and keep your valuables safe.

Regardless of the quality of your home security system, you need to check it annually. Have a worker from the security company take a look at it. Wild animals or plain old nature can wreak havoc on your home security system. Sometimes, you may need a professional to locate the problem.

Improving the security of your home should not be difficult. Starting with a great knowledge is key. Use these excellent ideas to really up the security around your house. Give all of these tips at least a second glance, because they are all important and could provide the keys you need to keep your home safe.

Changing the locks is a fundamental part of adding security to the home. Maybe you’ve had a roommate leave or a bitter ex-lover, so changing the locks can keep you safer. Most locksmiths can accomplish the job within 24 hours.