If you live alone and are a woman, you may be particularly concerned about home security. You can do a few things to end your anxiety. Go over the information in this article to learn about home security.

It is crucial that you change the locks as soon as you move into a new residence. You don’t know who might have a key. To make sure no one else can get into your home, call a locksmith. If you lose keys, make sure to do this, too.

You can hide your spare key on your dog. This will come in handy if your dog is outdoors most of the time or if it can go outside through 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.

There are more features to a home alarm system besides making sounds when people break in. Many can be set for sounding their alarm if anyone enters. This isn’t just for burglars; parents with young children can also use it as a valuable tool to know when their child has come inside.

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. Make sure you verify all references. If your cleaning person comes from a company, check with the BBB.

Buy a small home safe that you can use to keep your valuables in. This is vital, as you want to safeguard your valuable items in case of home burglary. This safe should be hidden in a location where burglars won’t find it, such as a hole in the wall, the attic, or a basement closet.

Don’t overlook your garage as a potential access point for thieves. You can prevent this from happening easily. If the garage door lifts via a track, you can use a C-clamp to stop your door from opening at the hands of intruders.

Don’t post online when you’ll be away from your home. You may be very excited about your impending vacation, but there is no need to let potential burglars know when you will be gone.

See what the local police offer when it comes to home protection programs. 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. Call and see what is available.

Before agreeing to work with a security company, check with your friends and family for recommendations. They may have had experiences with certain companies and can lead you in the right direction. Therefore, ask everyone you can in order to obtain the most advice. With thorough advice, the best decision can be made.

Use your garage for what it was intended: your car. It won’t be vandalized or stolen this way. This can also keep people from knowing your schedule.

Shut off phone ringers inside the home if you’re going to be gone for quite a while. A constantly ringing phone can signal to a burglar that the house is vacant, making it an easy target for their criminal activities.

Go with your gut when you invite a home security company representative into your house. This is particularly true if you feel uncomfortable with a company you are dealing with. Ask for someone else to come out or switch companies. You want the system to make you feel like you’re more comfortable.

Rid the outside of your home from dead wood, vegetation and overgrowth during the summertime. These can be fire hazards and can cause damage to your home. Keeping your plants and bushes trimmed will benefit your family’s safety as well as the appearance of your home.

Making your home safer through home security does not always have to cost a small fortune. You can find out some great alternatives that are much cheaper that help keep the criminals away. If you want to feel safer at home, keep in mind the information in this article.

Switch your locks. Maybe you had a roommate move out or have a disgruntled ex-lover, changing the locks is the best way to keep yourself safe. It shouldn’t cost too much, and the process can be completed very quickly.