If you own a home, then you know just how important it is to keep your humble abode safe. There aren’t many things worse than having your house damaged or destroyed. This article will show you how to be as safe as possible.

Your dog makes a great hiding spot for a spare key. This will only be ideal if you’ve got an outdoor dog can come outside. You could simply put a key onto your dog’s collar, so when you forget your keys your dog can let you in.

Do you keep your dog outside if you leave the home? This is where you can put your spare key. Simply put the key onto your dog’s collar so that robbers cannot locate it. This is a good way to ensure easy home access, especially if your pet does not associate well with strangers.

Always have the locks after moving into a new home.You never know how many keys to the old locks are floating around. Do the same thing if you happen to misplace your keys.

Home security plans have other features to just being noise alarms. Most of them can be programmed to alert when anyone enters the home. This is great for parents that have small children so that they are made aware their kids open or closed a door.

A home security system has other features in addition to sounding an alarm when there is a break-in. The majority of systems are able to be set to put out an alert when any individual enters the home. This is important to parents who have small children, because they will want to know if the children have opened a door.

Don’t open your door for someone who is a stranger is on the other side. People try many ways to trick others to open up their doors so they can steal from them. Make it a habit to only open your home’s door for an unexpected visitor.

There is a way to prevent burglars going into their home through an attached garage. You can use a C-clamp to secure the door from being opened by strangers.

Get a safe to protect your valuable items. This is very important, as you do not want your gold, diamonds and personal items exposed if someone were to break into your house. Keep it hidden in a hard to find location.

Keeping the car secured will prevent people from stealing or harming it. This can also make it more difficult for burglars to track when you away from knowing your schedule.

Some people feel that rural dwellers have greater risk since their neighbors live farther away. Some people think burglaries are less burglars in rural areas.

When you’re going away, turn off your phone ringers. Intruders might be attracted by a phone that rings constantly without anyone picking up.

Don’t forget skylights when securing your home. Skylights are nice to bring extra light into your house, but unfortunately they also often provide a way for a burglar to enter. Be sure that skylights in your home can be locked securely.

You can hide some valuables within your walls.You don’t have to damage the wall to do so. Many spots are already accessible for this purpose.

Avoid opening the door if you don’t know who is standing on the other side. There are people who are going to be convincing, but they can just be professional thieves. Make it a habit to only open your home’s door to people you were expecting.

Don’t put your spare keys inside plant boxes or in a planter. These are the first places criminals will look when you misplace your key. Thieves are familiar with these spots.

Most break-ins and burglaries occur because a door is left carelessly unlocked. It does not take long time for a robber to pilfer items worth thousands of dollars.

Always have your security system checked each year. Ask a home security employee to give it a look. Many factors cause issues with security systems like nature and wild animals. If you aren’t paying attention, you may not be aware of these problems.

Having these boxes around for a while will give people an idea of what is inside your home.

Always get references from anyone work inside your home. You need to do background checks in order to find out their criminal history. You need to be very careful with the contractors, so do not give them a key to your home.

Install lights that use a motion-sensor. Lights like these will automatically turn on whenever someone is near them. You will receive advance warning of any potential issues, and a would-be intruder will probably be scared off. Just remember and change out the light bulbs whenever necessary.

Ask the home security company how long they have been in business before you sign up for service. A company that’s been around for a while has proven that their service to people. Knowing that you are dealing with a shady company gives you calm when making this important decision.

While these systems could be good for protecting your family, they aren’t necessary for every family. In some areas, you might be better off taking a self defense class or owning a dog, yet in others, the latest innovations in home security will protect you best. Know what you can make a better decision.

Those living in rural areas often don’t worry as much about intruders compared to city dwellers. People who live in the country may even be more vulnerable because they do not have nearby neighbors. Some people, though, believe that you will not be at risk for a burglary.

Thieves can often be found looking through garbage to obtain personal information found on bills and credit card slips. Rip your important papers up before throwing them away if you can’t afford to purchase a paper shredder.

Don’t leave the boxes of any high priced electronics on your curb. Burglars will see those boxes and recognize that there are new valubles in your house. Cut the box up and hide the writing when you put them outside.

Choose an alarm which monitors other areas outside your doors. Burglars can gain entry through your windows as well. Attach an alarm to every one of them, and make sure all entry points are monitored. Doing this will help ensure the safety of your home and loved ones.

Keep your curtains pulled tight when you aren’t at home. Intruders can look into your house if they are left up. You should also have the windows covered when you are sleeping.

As discussed, protecting your home is not that hard. Take the time to learn as much as you can about home security. Apply these ideas and make your home the safest it can be. Don’t miss one, or you may leave your security with a hole.

When moving into your new house, change every lock. While the person that previously had the home may seem okay, you don’t know who they actually are. Besides, other tenants or owners might have copies of the key if the previous owners did not change the locks.