As you’re well aware, owning a home carries with it a very reasonable interest in home security. When you home is damaged or destroyed, you can feel very violated. Your home is a giant investment and a place to build the memories of life. Keep your most precious investment safe.

When placing your spare key outside for emergencies, give careful consideration to where you put it. Too many people put their extra key under the mat in front of their door; burglars know to check there. A possible solution is to attach a key to your outdoor dog’s collar.

When you buy a new home, be sure to have the locks changed. 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. Give a key to someone you trust in case you get locked out.

In the summer, remove vegetation and dead wood from your yard. These are vulnerable to fires and put your home in danger. Clear yard regularly to maintain your house safe.

Only provide your house cleaner with a key if you trust him or her implicitly. If you plan to give them a key so they can clean in your home while you are away, ensure they are reputable and honest. Check the housekeeper’s references very carefully. If they work for a firm, call the local Better Business Bureau to find out that firm’s reputation.

There’s no security system so durable that it can go without regular maintenance and inspections. Have yours checked out once a year. Get a security comapny tech to check it. There are many things that can reduce the quality of your system. It’s quite possible for there to be a fault in your system even if you can’t see it.

When looking for a system to secure your home, do comparison shopping. Different companies can provide equivalent levels of service and security, but their prices can vary wildly. Get at least 3 quotes from security system companies and compare features and services as well as monthly costs.

Walls are a good place to hide things. Small valuables fit nicely inside walls. Any phone jack or electrical outlet that isn’t being used is a great place to hide valuables. Installing a false unused plate is very easy to do if your home doesn’t have one.

Turn off ringers on land line phones while you are on vacation. A constantly ringing phone lets thieves know that you are not home and could increase the chances of you getting robbed.

Don’t put extra keys under doormats or in planters. These seem like great places for you when you misplace your key. Thieves are aware of all these spots. A better option is to entrust an honest neighbor with a spare key.

Secure your garage. Many people worry about burglars getting into their attached garage and then entering their home, but there is a fix. If your garage lifts up on a track, try using a C-clamp. This will prevent your door from opening up if the clamp is close to its roller.

When moving into a house, ensure that each lock has been replaced. Although you may trust the previous homeowner, you cannot be 100% sure of their character. Bear in mind that other people may have lived in the home before the previous owner.

Talk to your local police department about what they offer. Many police departments will offer expert advice, arrange inspections, sponsor neighborhood watches, and help you mark and register your valuables. A quick call to the non-emergency number at the police station in your town will tell you all you need to know.

Replace rotted wood that surrounds your door frame. Rotting wood is easy to remove and take apart if someone is trying to get in. Always replace rotting wood with fresh wood immediately to keep your house strong and secure.

Avoid placing spare keys under door mats or in plant boxes. A key that is easily found is a convenience for a burglar, not just for you. Burglars are familiar with these hiding spots. Instead, trust a neighbor to hold your spare key.

Carefully check the references of everyone before allowing them to enter your home. Don’t be afraid of conducting background checks to determine if they have a criminal history. You can’t know for sure about the integrity of people you hire, and blindly giving them access to your home can be a huge mistake.

Purchase flashlights that have good batteries, and keep them in every room in your home in case the power goes out. 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. Train your kids how to use flashlights so that all members of the family can contribute.

If you hire a security company, read any fine print. You need to find out about hidden costs, such as cancellation fees in case you want to cancel your contract before it expires. It’s best to know about these fees in advance so that you can avoid them when possible.

If you are entering a house that has already been occupied, you should first change your locks. Although the previous owner should not have a key, there is no way for you to know this. You can purchase locks and install them yourself to ascertain that only you have a key.

Dogs are an excellent way to protect your home. Dogs protect their territory diligently, and tend to make noise if something goes awry. That is not to say that a big, scary dog is required. Even tiny dogs that make a ton of noise will deter a potential crime.

Before you let anyone into your house, thoroughly check their references. Check if they have any history of criminal activity. You need to be very careful with the contractors, repairmen or maids you trust with being alone in your home.

Steer clear of locks with spring latches. This type of lock is extremely easy to break. Anyone with a credit card can do it. A card can be placed between the latch and the door, and this will open it. If your doors have locks that are spring latch, add a deadbolt for extra security.

You can keep intruders away by always having your house lit up. These crooks do not wish to be noticed or seen. With a well-lit home, thieves cannot hide or break in unnoticed. Thus, you should always keep lights on at nighttime.

If you aren’t at the house, keep the windows and curtains closed. You don’t want potential thieves knowing you are gone. Intruders can see into your home if they are left up. If they notice something valuable, they’re more likely to invade your home. At night when you’re asleep, you should close your shades.

Think about safety when designing your home. You should not let plants and shrub block your doors and windows. If you have them visible, people can’t hide in those areas while they try to break in. This should be planned in advance for your safety.

If you want to hide your house key, find a spot that is not obvious. A very obvious location is underneath fake rocks. Someone is going to look under your doormat. The best idea is just to ask a friend or neighbor to hang on to a key for you. If that isn’t an option, be creative with a hiding spot.

If you come home and see your door ajar, never investigate it alone. The burglar may be on the premises. Call the authorities and let them take care of the situation.

Don’t make an obvious or easy password for your numeric keypad lock. Your birthday can be found on mail or social media sites, so this means anyone can access your home. Try using a number that is the solution to a math problem. Then you can just remember the math problem to arrive at the solution.

Are you able to see the numbers on your house from the street? If you have an emergency, it will be hard for the police to find your house quickly if your numbers are hidden or too small to read. Thankfully if you notice a problem it’s an easy and cheap thing to fix.

Think about hard-wired security systems if you’re worried about long term maintenance costs. The wireless ones are convenient, however, they need multiple battery sets that must be changed frequently. If you neglect to change your batteries, the system can fail. Furthermore, it can be costly to replace multiple batteries.

There is no need to have keyed locks on interior doors. You may have locks without keys that need a code. These may be installed by yourself or a security company.

If your lights are generally turned off at roughly the same time, consider using a timer. A timer will prevent the need of flipping the switch. In addition, it will help ensure the lights keep turning themselves on and off when you are not home. This will help deter potential burglars.

Inquire about different choices for contract lengths available from the home security provider. They all likely have different benefits and downsides. The longer the contract, the lower your monthly bill, but if you move or become dissatisfied, you are stuck with the monthly fee. Shorter contracts likely allow you more flexibility with exiting the plan; however, you will probably have a larger monthly bill.

Keep your window coverings drawn in the evenings. You would not want to tempt outsiders to look through your window. If someone has the intention to burglarize your neighborhood, you would not want him to see your belongings and target your house. Make sure and minimize what is visible to the public so as to reduce the likelihood of becoming a target.

You don’t have to undergo a difficult process to secure your home. You need to know more about home security. Use the tips you just read to improve your home security. Be sure to follow all of the advice presented here for optimum security.

It is better to purchase your home security system directly from the company. A re-seller might not offer the same kind of services you can get from a home security company, and they will sell the same products for more. When you go through the company, they will offer a guarantee and won’t charge extra fees.