A homeowner is responsible for keeping their house secure. You might think that all you need to do is to install a burglar alarm, but there are many other things you can do. Continue reading to find other ways to help keep your home as secure as possible.

Your dog can safeguard an extra key. This is only true if yours in an outdoor dog, or your house is equipped with a doggie 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.

Before leaving for vacation, turn off the ringers in your house. If the phone rings without you there, burglars will suspect that you’re not home, and that can make your home a target for an attack while you’re gone.

Make sure you trust your house cleaner before you provide them with a key. Make sure they are honest, reputable and hardworking. Make sure you check references. If it is a known company, check with your local BBB.

Don’t let strangers enter your house. Be wary of those who come to your door selling products, asking for help, or telling sob stories. Some people just want to know if there is a security system so they can plan on coming back later or not.

Do you have a dog that stays in your yard when you’re not at home? He or she is actually a great place to store your spare key. The key can be attached to the collar of your dog. This will ensure that burglars cannot see it. This is a good way to ensure easy home access, especially if your pet does not associate well with strangers.

Garage Doors

When looking to purchase a good home security system, it is best that you look at many companies. Most companies have different price schemes for the the same general level of protection. Be sure and get a minimum of three quotes from different companies prior to choosing one.

Don’t overlook your garage as a potential access point for thieves. Lots of folks are concerned about burglars gaining access to the garage and then the home, but this can be addressed. A C-clamp is very useful for garage doors that lift on tracks. It will prevent garage doors from opening up whenever it is near the roller and is tight on the track.

You should talk to your friends and family about advice concerning certain home security companies. You can learn a lot from people who have already dealt with these companies. Sometimes, you may get great advice from the people you know.

Meet with representatives from the security company you are considering to determine if they are trustworthy. You are giving someone unlimited access to your home, so be sure the installer doesn’t give you a bad vibe. You should not hesitate to ask if you can work with a different representative or find a different company if you are not comfortable. After all, you’re investing in a system that helps you to feel safe, so make sure the process involved in obtaining that system does the same.

Don’t let strangers enter your house. Be wary of those who come to your door selling products, asking for help, or telling sob stories. Some people may simply be trying to determine whether or not you have a home security installed; if you don’t, they may plan to return later if you are away from your home.

If you live in a rural area, you may not be as concerned about home break-ins as people who live in the city. There are some who believe country folk are more at risk because neighbors are not nearby. Still, many believe that rural environments are less frequently targeted by burglars.

Do you live outside the city? You might be less worried about home invasions than if you lived in an urban area. There are differences between large cities and homes located in the countryside. Some people think burglaries are less prevalent in rural parts.

Walls are great for hiding things. Small valuables fit nicely inside walls. All you have to do is place them behind any unused phone jack, electrical outlet or switch plate. You can also just put in a false plate to cover a hiding place.

Don’t forget to secure your skylights too. Skylights are a great addition to any home, but they are also tempting entryways for crooks. Be sure that the skylights for your home are durable and reliable.

Conceal valuable spaces within your walls. You do not need to remove segments from your walls. There should be pre-cut spaces throughout your home that will suffice. Perhaps you could deactivate a few unused electrical sockets to use as a place to store stuff.

Rotten wood on door and window frames needs to be repaired. Anyone hoping to enter your home can very easily do so by just prying away the rotted wood. Replace wood that is starting to rot with fresh new wood to keep your home as safe as possible.

Having light on in your home at night will scare crooks away. Thieves don’t want to be visible. Making your home’s exterior nice and bright will make it impossible for crooks to go undetected. Keep those lights shining brightly at night.

Before letting a home security representative inside, ask for identification. Potential burglars can easily claim they are security company representatives so that they can enter your home. This means peril for what you own as well as your loved ones. Caution is always advisable if dangers like this are to be avoided.

As the company that is doing your home security how long they’ve been providing this service. Companies that have been around for awhile show that they can provide reliable support. It will make you feel better knowing that the company you choose is not fly by night.

As you work on your home’s landscape, don’t forget about safety. All of your windows and doors should be unobstructed by plants, shrubs, trees or fences. If they are visible, people won’t be able to hide there while trying to break in. Have your landscape several feet away from your house for better safety.

When you purchase an expensive item such as a computer or TV, be sure to take the cardboard box to the recycling center rather than leaving it on your curb for all the world to see. A burglar sees this as an invitation to procure the item themselves. Remember to cut up or break down those boxes and take them to the recycling center.

Determine how much experience a home security company has before you decide to do business with them. Companies that have been around for awhile show that they can provide reliable support. It can ease your mind when you know you’re not doing business with a company that might not be around tomorrow.

Now that you have read this, there should be no reason why you are in a home that is not safe. There is a lot of information to take in, but you are better prepared to create your security system. The tips you’ve just read can help make this a reality.

If you do not already have a paper shredder, you may want to think about investing in one. Many thieves sift through trash for personal info and to figure out when you plan to be away. Rip important documents in small pieces before throwing them away if you do not have a paper shredder.