Bad things usually happen when they are least expected. Don’t take any chances with protecting your home if you can do something about it. The article below contains tips and tricks to help you create a secure environment for yourself and your family.

After getting a new home, make sure to change its locks. The previous owners or tenants might have made several copies of the key. Contact a locksmith to make sure that only you have access to your home. In addition, replace your locks if your keys ever get lost.

Any time you buy a new home, have the locks changed. The person who previously owned the home may have made copies of keys. Find a good locksmith who can replace the lock and make a few copies of your key. Do the same thing if you happen to misplace a key.

Be very cautious about entrusting a maid service with a key to your home. You should not let cleaners have your keys if you feel like you cannot trust them, or if they will be working in your home while you are away. Make sure you check references. If you hire a cleaner who works for a company, speak with your local BBB about the company’s reliability.

If you have a lot of unfamiliar people on you social networking accounts, avoid letting everyone know you will be going on vacation. While these platforms are there for sharing, this is announcing to the world that your home is an open target.

Do you allow your dog to stay in your yard while you are away? If so, you can use your dog to hide your spare key. Put the key on the dog’s collar. If your pet does not get along with strangers, this will ensure your spare key stays safe.

Rid the outside of your home from dead wood, vegetation and overgrowth during the summertime. As things heat up in the summer, items may catch on fire and threaten your home. Always clear the yard to ensure safety.

It’s important to comparison shop for alarm systems. Different companies can provide equivalent levels of service and security, but their prices can vary wildly. Obtain quotes from a minimum of three home security companies before making a final decision.

Be outgoing. Get to know other people who live next door and others in your neighborhood. Keep an eye out for their houses, and request that they return the favor. Do not ignore gossip either. It is often a good way to find out about security issues, such as strangers in the neighborhood.

Don’t let people into your house that you don’t know. No matter what the excuse the person presents, keep them from entering your home. This person might just be casing the joint to see if there is home security equipment.

Those that live in rural area are not as concerned about having their home invaded as those who are located in the city. Others think that living in the country is more risky than other areas because houses are so far apart. Others think that rural places have less of a chance of being targets for burglars.

Don’t let strangers into your home. Nowadays, thieves are creative when thinking of ways to get homeowners to open a door and let them in. Only open the door for people you are expecting.

Keep your most valuable possessions inside your walls. Don’t make it obvious by cutting out big chunks of drywall. Many areas in your house are already accessible for this purpose. Consider unwiring an electrical socket that isn’t used and storing your valuable jewelry.

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 door happens to lift on a track, using a C-clamp can help. the C-clamp prevents the door from opening if it’s tightened on the track close to the roller.

Hide the wires of your home security system. An intruder can cut the wires or disconnect them and avoid the system. Don’t make it easy for an intruder, have the wires buried or hidden within the home’s walls. Keep yourself safe.

Don’t be shy. Speak with your neighbors. Look out for their property, and see if they will look out for yours. You shouldn’t neglect gossip. You might hear helpful information, for instance if strangers have been hanging around.

Always check references before letting anyone work on your home. A background check may also be a good idea. Avoid giving keys out to contractors, maids and repairmen.

Have lights that are motion-sensor installed. These lights turn on if someone walks closely to your house. They will signal movement to you but will also serve as deterrents to the thieves. Remember to keep working bulbs in them at all times.

Always request that your house or pet sitter remove fliers from your door. It isn’t uncommon for burglars to put up fliers to see whether or not they’re removed. If the flier is not taken down, the burglar assumes the homeowner is not in town.

Ensure that valuables are stored in a hidden area that isn’t visible from outside your home. Having large windows in front of your home may be a great way to see what is happening outside, but it can also give crooks a view inside your home. If your windows face a street, be sure they’re always covered and have your valuables safe.

Put up video surveillance. Video cameras are an excellent way to keep your home safe. Visible cameras scare intruders while a hidden camera could capture footage. A lot of surveillance systems may be accessed through a cell phone, letting you check on your house when you’re away.

The alarm system you choose should protect more than just the doors to your home. All windows can be entry spots for thieves. You want to be sure that the alarm is connected to all windows and entry points. The safety of your family will be ensured.

Keeping people out of various areas of your home does not have to involve using multiple locks and keys. You can have key-less locks which require a code. Any good security company can provide and install these locks, or you can even put them in yourself.

Keep your home security system’s wires under cover. Exposed wires make it easy for an intruder to cut them and disable the alarm. Do not make entry into your home easy. Make sure the wires are not exposed either inside or outside your home. This can make you safer.

The criminal element is quite unpredictable and every home is a potential target. You should take action to secure your family and your belongings. Keep these tips in mind, and start looking for a quality home security system.

If you don’t have a paper shredder, you might want to buy one. Many thieves sift through trash for personal info and to figure out when you plan to be away. If a paper shredder is not in your budget, consider tearing your documents into tiny pieces or even burning them.