If you own a home, then you understand the importance of keeping it safe. There aren’t many things worse than having your house damaged or vandalized. Not only is your home a large investment, there are often precious memories tied to it. This article shows you just how to be as safe as possible.

Be sure your home always looks occupied. You could purchase timers which make lights and TV’s, as well as other devices, power on or off at varying intervals. This way it will always look as if someone is home, even when you are away. This is just one of the many precautions you can take to secure your home.

If someone comes to clean your home, only give them a key if they’re trustworthy. You need to ensure that they are honest and reputable according to references before you have handed over the key. All references should be checked. If the person is an employee of a firm, call your local BBB to check their reputation.

Use your dog as the protector of your spare key. This will come in handy if your dog is outdoors most of the time or if it can go outside through a pet door. Attach the spare key to your dog’s collar. By doing this, you have a handy spare key whenever you need it.

Think very carefully about where to hide your spare key. The doormat is too obvious of a place to hide it, as robbers will look there first. You could hide the key with your dog on the collar.

Only provide your house cleaner with a key if you trust him or her implicitly. Be sure to check out the background of any housekeeper you plan to provide with a key to your home. Check their references fully. If the person is an employee of a firm, call your local BBB to check their reputation.

Make sure the ringer on any phones in your home is turned off when you leave for vacation. A constantly ringing phone lets thieves know that you are not home and could increase the chances of you getting robbed.

Do you have an outdoor dog? Store the spare key with them. Fasten the key to your dog’s collar to hide it from view. This is an especially good idea if your dog doesn’t like strangers, and gives you easy access to get in your home.

If your garage is attached to your house, make it secure. Intruders can enter your home through an unlocked garage door. Use a C-clamp to secure the door if it’s off track.

Clear away all the dead and dried out vegetation around your home in the summer. This sort of thing is a fire hazard in the heat of summer. Keep your yard clear so it is a safe area.

Keep your car in your garage. This will keep thieves from stealing it or harming it. Keeping your car out of sight is also a good way to prevent intruders from determining whether or not you are home.

No one should be able to see your valuables from outside. Large windows let in a lot of light, but they also allow outsiders to see inside your living space. Keep your windows covered and your belongings private.

Security Systems

Don’t allow the wires of your home security system to be visible to others. You do not want the wires exposed for easy manipulation. Don’t make it easier for them, so have wires hidden in the house’s walls or buried. This helps keep you and your family safe.

Regardless of the type of home security system you choose, be sure to have regular inspections and maintenance performed. Ask a qualified worker who specializes in security systems to take a look. There are many things that can be problematic with regards to home security systems, like wayward wild animals and the environment. You might be unaware of problems that arise in some cases.

Replace all the locks in your newly purchased home. Although the person you purchased the house from might seem good, you really have no clue as to who they really are. Besides, other tenants or owners might have copies of the key if the previous owners did not change the locks.

Avoid coming across as overly shy. Engage your neighbors in conversation. Watch out for their homes, and ask them to do the same for you. It’s best to be in on any rumors in the area. While this is unorthodox, it may clue you into a possible home security threat.

A great way to achieve extra security is to install exterior lighting equipped with motion detectors. This is a fairly inexpensive way to provide light and security to your property. When placed appropriately, no one will be able to break in unannounced.

Install lights that have motion sensors. When a person walks by your home too closely, these lights will go on. Not only will they notify you of movement, they will also deter potential burglars, as thieves want to remain as inconspicuous as possible. Don’t forget to replace the bulbs when they burn out.

You can find an excellent home security company with a simple Internet search. Look at many websites and read customer reviews about the various services. Also find other companies to get quotes from as well.

An extremely important tactic for keeping your home safe is changing out the locks. Changing the locks will ensure that you are the only one who knows the combination. You can change the locks in a single day, and the hardware is not very costly.

If you get home and notice an open door, do not go in to see what has happened. The thief may remain inside. Call the cops and let them do the initial walk through.

Conceal valuable spaces within your walls. You don’t have to cut pieces out of the walls. Instead, you can use the small spaces that are already there. For example, place jewelry in an unused electrical outlet.

Don’t let anyone peek into your garage. If your garage door has windows, make sure they have a frosted coating. This is easy to find at any major hardware store, and installation is a breeze. Also keep your garage door closed whenever possible, especially if you will be stepping away from it for an extended period of time.

Improving the security of your home should not be difficult. All you need are some good ideas in home security. Make your home very secure with the help of these excellent ideas. Apply the tips in this article and feel safe at home.

Stand out in your street, and look toward your home. Are you able to see the numbers of your home? Make sure they are large in case emergency personnel need to find your house. Luckily, you can fix this quickly and cheaply if you see there’s a problem.