If you have pricey items like art and jewelry in your home, don’t assume that no one knows these things are there. You should protect your home and family from burglars by implementing home-security strategies. Read the following article for some great tips on how you can make your home more safe and secure.

Your dog can actually safeguard a spare key. This works with a dog that stays outside or a dog with a pet door. Attach the key to your dog’s collar, and it will be handy if you ever need a spare.

Your dog can safeguard an extra key. Really this works only if you have a pet door or if your dog is an outdoor dog. You can purchase a special collar that will hold your spare key, so when you forget your keys your dog can let you in.

After you buy your new house, get new locks. This is because you really have no idea who has keys, and therefore access to your home. Have a locksmith install a brand new lock. Also, if you lose your keys, change the locks.

Change all of your locks when you move in. You simply do not know how many keys to the old locks are floating around. Changing the locks will give you peace of mind that you and your family are the only ones who have access to your home. When you lose your keys, have your locks rekeyed.

Does your canine stay in the yard while you go out? You might consider leaving your spare key with your dog. Attach the key inside their collar and make sure it can’t be seen. If your dog is suspicious of strangers, you have found a good hiding place for your key.

Let a house cleaner have your keys only if they can provide you with references so you can verify their trustworthiness. You need to ensure that they are honest and reputable according to references before you have handed over the key. One way to do this is to check their references. If this professional is from a company, it’s best to check with the Better Business Bureau to see what kind of reputation they have.

Talk to people you know about their security systems. This will help you to reduce the stress that you have on your search for a good one. Ask around so that you can have the advice that you need to make a good choice.

A home security system has other features in addition to sounding an alarm when there is a break-in. Many systems can alert you whenever anyone has entered your home. If you have little ones wandering about the house, this makes it easy for you to know if they have come in or gone out.

If you own a garage, be sure to use it to place your car, as opposed to using it as a storage. Having the car in the garage will prevent it from getting broken into or stolen. Keeping your car out of sight is also good for thwarting burglars’ attempts to determine when you are likely to be away from home.

Get a good safe to store your valuables in your home. This is vital, as you want to safeguard your valuable items in case of home burglary. Keep the safe hidden somewhere remote.

The first step in making your home more secure is to change out your locks. If you have boarders, former live-in partners, or others who once had access to your home, this is especially important. It doesn’t cost much and they can usually show up within a day.

When you decide to purchase a home alarm system, make sure you comparison shop. Prices vary significantly, even for similar levels of protection. Try to get two or three quotes before making a decision.

Listen to your intuition as to whether your system is being installed by a trustworthy home security company. If you don’t feel comfortable with the technician, don’t allow them access to your home. You can decide to use a different company, or ask for a different person to install it. Ultimately, the whole point is for you to have peace of mind.

The walls of your home make for great hiding spots. You should think about hiding certain small valuables within your walls. Just open up an electrical outlet or a phone jack that is not in use. Anything not used currently makes a good spot for hiding.

Do that put spare keys above door frames or under door mats. Though you might think that you’re giving yourself something you could use to get into your house when you’ve lost your keys, you’re actually inviting intruders inside your house. Thieves are familiar with these hiding spots. Instead, have a trustworthy neighbor hold on to your spare key.

Make certain no one can see your valuable belongings through windows and doors. If you have big windows near your big entertainment system, it can seem like an invitation to thieves. If your windows face a street, be sure they’re always covered and have your valuables safe.

Do not let people on the street see valuable items in your home. While having huge windows may be good for letting in light and viewing what is outside, it also gives potential thieves a good look in your own home. If your windows face a street, be sure they’re always covered and have your valuables safe.

If you bought any big or expensive things, wait until trash day to throw away the boxes. Empty boxes for expensive new gear serve as advertisements to potentials thieves; don’t make it easy for them to spot such tempting targets.

Even if you’re not going to be gone long, keep your home locked. This is often a surprise, but the majority of burglaries are due to someone just waltzing right into an unlocked home. It can be a quick job for a burglar to steal items of great value.

Replace rotten wood on your door frame. Anyone who wants to get into your home can easily pry away rotted wood and slip right into your home. Replace wood that is starting to rot with fresh new wood to keep your home as safe as possible.

Make sure your flashlights have charged batteries and are found throughout your home. Having these in an easy to find place will allow you to see in the dark much quicker. Keep in mind that your family might be separated during a power outage, and make sure you children know where to find and how to use your flashlights.

Make sure that the person analyzing your home for a home security system is who he says. Thieves may say they are from a certain company to get into your home. This is dangerous for your family and your possessions. Be cautious to stay safe.

The number one thing you must do if you’re moving into a new place is have the locks changed. Although the tenant before might have turned their key in, they might still have a duplicate key. This will help safeguard that there is no one else with your key.

Motion Detectors

Think about your personal security needs before you purchase a home security system. Even though these security systems can guard you and your family, that doesn’t mean they’re for everyone. In some particular neighborhoods, classes for self defense or acquiring a dog may be the best option. However, the newest home security technology may be the best protection in other regions. Know what you want and make your decisions based on that.

If you need to make the outside of your home secure, you can achieve this relatively inexpensively by installing lights with motion detectors. Cost-effective and aesthetically pleasing, these lights really add value to your home. If strategically placed, motion detectors ensure that it’s difficult for intruders to break into your home sight unseen.

If you arrive home and you see that your door is ajar, never enter to investigate on your own. This is dangerous because the thief may be right inside. Get on the phone to the authorities immediately.

If you hire a security company, read any fine print. You may find fees appear unexpectedly, including excessive costs for ending your contract early. You should avoid these fees as much as you can; therefore, you need to know of their existence.

Shred any documents and junk mail that contains identifying information. Thieves often find the trash cans to be a gold mine of pertinent information about potential victims. If a paper shredder is not in your budget, consider tearing your documents into tiny pieces or even burning them.

Don’t limit security to the inside of your home; the outside needs attention too. Keep your doors and windows clear of any shrubbery. Keeping these features free of vegetation robs would-be burglars of concealment and hiding places. This will give your home additional safety.

Are the numbers of your home visible from the street? If there’s an emergency, it will take longer for the police to locate your home if the numbers are concealed in any way or too small. If you notice a problem, you should be able to fix it fairly cheaply, though.

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 can ease your mind when you know you’re not doing business with a company that might not be around tomorrow.

Does your security company offer leasing and buying? Buying will cost you more initially for the equipment, but will save you a monthly bill. Leasing is cheaper, but there may be hidden fees and contracts. Investigate each option and determine which makes more sense.

If you get home and notice an open door, do not go in to see what has happened. This is dangerous because the thief may be right inside. Instead, you should call 911 and wait in a safe location for the police to arrive.

If you must hide your key outside, do not put it someplace obvious. An easily moved object close to the door is the first place a burglar will look. Doormats are the first place people look at. A safer option is entrusting a neighbor or one of your most trusted friends to keep your spare key. If that isn’t an option, be creative with a hiding spot.

If you’re planning to be out of your home for a period of time, have a neighbor remove any fliers placed on your door. Burglars sometimes tack these up and watch to see whether or not they are removed. A flier that hangs around for days on end lets burglars know that there’s no one in the home.

Motion sensitive lighting can be provided by your security company. Many companies offer this, and it causes the lights on the outside of your home to go on as soon as someone approaches an entry way. This further protects you from having unwanted guests enter your home.

It is best to protect your home against any kind of dangers. You shouldn’t be afraid. Instead, just utilize great home-security strategies. These tips can put your family in the safest position possible.

Sliding glass doors can create a security issue in a home. They can be simply unlocked with a lift and a shake. If you don’t have your security system connected to them, try cutting some pipe to fit into your door channel. This helps keep your door closed and makes it not easy to open.