Even though home security means a great deal to virtually every homeowner, many of them are woefully under educated on the subject. To properly protect your items and home, you need to study home security. Read on for some excellent tips on ensuring your home’s safety.

Protect your spare key by using your dog. In order to make this work, your dog either needs to stay outside or have access to a pet door. You can attach a copy of your key to the dog’s collar, so when you need that spare, you’ve got one handy!

Make your home look occupied at all times. Buy timers so things will go on and off at different times. This will make your home appear as if someone is there. This will help safeguard your house to the best of your ability.

You never want to open up a door to a stranger without proper identification. Nowadays, people invent many stories of why they should come in. For instance, they may say they need to call a mechanic or the police. However, their true intent is to rob you. Make sure everyone in your house knows not to open the door unless they know the person standing outside.

Place the spare key that you make on your dog. Of course, your dog has to be an outdoor dog (or you at least need to have a doggy door) for this to work. Place the alternative key on your dog’s collar in case of an emergency.

Don’t overlook your garage as a potential access point for thieves. There is a way to stop thieves from entering your home from the garage. Try putting a C-clamp on your garage door track. This will stop the door from rising if you want to keep it closed.

It is crucial that you change the locks as soon as you move into a new residence. You have no way of knowing how many folks might have keys to your house. To make sure you are the sole person with access to the home, engage the services of a locksmith. If you lose your keys, you should do the same thing.

Take advantage of any and all security resources your local police force makes available to homeowners. Many programs include how to use some engraving tools to create code numbers for identifying valuables that are stolen, home inspection, and advice on protective measures. These programs can make a big difference to the security of your home, and they may just be a phone call away.

Make sure to clear your yard of brush and dead wood in the summertime. As the summer heat rolls in, there is a higher chance that these can catch on fire, putting your home at risk. Clearing your yard keeps your home, belongings and family much safer.

Have lights that sense motion. They turn on only if someone is nearby. Motion-sensitive lights will alert you to movement and deter people who want to break into your home. However, make sure to put in fresh bulbs every now and then.

Get to know your neighbors. Converse with those living in your area. Watch their homes and ask them if they’ll watch yours as well. Pay attention to gossip. Important security details (like the presence of strangers in your neighborhood) can come out of the most innocent conversations.

Lock up your house every time you leave. Most real-world burglars aren’t master lock-breakers; they simply stroll in through a door left carelessly unlocked. A thief can steal your most valuable possessions in a short amount of time.

Put up motion activated lighting. They’ll flip on when people walk within a certain distance of your house. 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. Just do not forget to replace the bulbs periodically to keep them functioning at all times.

If you buy expensive electronics or appliances, throw the packages away the day that your trash pickup occurs. Having these boxes nearby can tell robbers what kind of merchandise you’ve got in your house.

Your risks of being the target of home intruders really doesn’t depend on the area in which you live. There are some who believe country folk are more at risk because neighbors are not nearby. Some think that there are less burglars in rural areas.

Your door frame should be replaced if the wood around it is rotting. Rotten wood is easily removed and can give an intruder a way into your home. Keep your home secure by replacing rotted wood with fresh timber.

Always lock your home when you leave it, no matter how soon you plan to return. This is often a surprise, but the majority of burglaries are due to someone just waltzing right into an unlocked home. It does not take long for thieves to steal your expensive stuff.

Before you let security company representatives into your home, check their ID. Intruders could disguise themselves to inspect your home. This can be risky for you and your belongings. You want to use caution to prevent danger.

Many people know how vital home security is in our lives. But, some people do not understand how to secure their homes and personal property. Hopefully, the tips included above will help you move toward a more secure lifestyle.

Check references before giving anyone access to your home. Do not hesitate to hire someone to run a background check if you have doubts. There is no way of knowing whether or not service people are honest, so you should not give them keys to your home.