The tips included below will enlighten you on the process so that you can keep your home safe.

Be sure that your home appears to always occupied. You could purchase timers which make lights and TV’s, lights, radios and other types of electronics to go on at various times. This will give your home the appearance of someone is in it. This is a great way to keep your home’s safety and avoid burglaries.

The only time you should give out house keys to house cleaners is if you absolutely trust them. If they need the keys and plan on being in there for more than an hour, try to ensure that they are honest, hardworking, and reputable. One way to do this is to check their references. If the house cleaner is employed by a company, check with the BBB of your area to determine their reputation.

Your dog can safeguard a spare key.This really only works if your dog or if it can go outside through a pet door. You could simply put a key onto your dog’s collar, so when you forget your keys your dog can let you in.

Check out their references fully.If you hire a cleaner from a company, check with your local BBB.

Do you keep your dog outside if you leave the home? This is a good spot for keeping your spare key. You can attach your key to your dog’s collar in order to keep the key hidden. This is the perfect place to store a spare key, especially if your dog doesn’t care for strangers.

Ask friend for advice they have prior to purchasing a security system or company. Your friends have dealt with this situation before. Ask a better choice.

You never open up a door to a stranger without proper identification. People try many ways to convince others to open up their doors so that they can steal from them. Make a house rule in your home that you only open your door to people who you were expecting.

Some home security systems have additional security features besides sounding an alarm to deter a burglar. The majority of systems are able to be set to put out an alert when any individual enters the home. This can be valuable to parents with small children as they are made aware their child has opened or closed a door.

Local Police Department

See if your local police department offers any home security programs. They may offer neighborhood watch programs, home inspections, and other guidance about securing your house. Call the local police department and inquire as to what is available.

If you do not know the person at your door, don’t open it. Burglars have many clever ways to convince householders to open the door. Make it mandatory that doors in your home are only opened for expected visitors.

It is important that you check your home security system periodically, you should have an annual test. Ask a qualified worker who specializes in security employee to give it a look. You might be unaware of problems if they aren’t easily sighted.

Don’t ever put spare keys inside plant boxes or in a planter. These seem like great places criminals will look when you misplace your home. Thieves know about all these spots.

The police department in your area may offer a home protection program. Several in various jurisdictions have programs which entail providing a home inspection, what protective measures will help your home and even how to engrave valuable items to make them easier to recover. Ask your police department to see if these types of programs are available.

Replace all the locks in a new house.The previous owner may be perfectly respectable, but you don’t know everything about them.

Always get references from anyone work inside your home. You should do a background check as well to find out about their criminal history. You need to be very careful with the contractors, and giving access to the wrong one can prove disastrous.

It doesn’t matter how much money you spent, you should have an annual test. Your security company should send a representative to check your system. Wild animals or plain old nature can wreak havoc on your home security system. If you cannot see a problem, you might not know one exists.

Ask your home security company about how long they have been in business before you sign up for service. A company that’s been around for a long history has proved they can survive and provide great service to people. Knowing you are dealing with a fly by night company gives you calm when making this important decision.

Never enter your home if the door open. This is dangerous because the thief may still be on your property. Your best bet is to call the authorities and wait outside for them to get there.

Get to know your neighbors. Build up a rapport with the people who own homes close to yours. Watch their houses, and ask if they’d do the same. It does not necessarily pay to steer clear of gossip. You may learn some great information about security, such as if any strangers have been hanging around.

Consider a surveillance system. You can have great home security by putting in cameras whether they’re concealed or out in the open. Visible cameras have a deterrent effect, and should they decide to disable them, a camera that is hidden will keep capturing footage. A lot of surveillance systems may be accessed through a cell phone, so you can monitor your home while you are out of town.

Ask about the various contract lengths that your home security company may offer. There are usually pros and cons to each. Longer contracts can lower your monthly bill; however, but you you could maintain those monthly expenses if you discontinue service or sell the home. Shorter contracts mean more freedom along with higher cost.

Be sure your expensive belongings are not visible from the home’s exterior. Open curtains allow people to see inside your home and see exactly what you have. If you’ve got street facing windows, be sure and keep them covered.

Ask whether companies offer options to lease and sale. Buying will cost you more initially for the equipment, but it’s a single cost versus a monthly cost. Leasing is often less expensive, but monthly fees can be high and you will need a contract. Look at both choices to know which one is better for your personal circumstances.

Don’t put your key in obvious hiding place. It is easy to spot a fake rocks.The thief will likely look is under the mat before anything else. A friend or neighbor can be a much better key in case you need it. If you cannot do that, find a spot that’s not obvious.

Make sure the wires of your home security system are completely hidden. Many intruders bypass a security system by cutting the wires. Don’t make it easy for an intruder, have the wires buried or hidden within the home’s walls. Your safety will increase.

Anyone can easily get your date of birth from a Facebook profile or your house.

Secure valuables in an area that are truly irreplaceable. Items like passports, passports, legal documents, expensive jewelry and financial records need to be placed at a secure location. A floor safe could be a good place to keep these things inside your house. You could also rent out a bank safe deposit box.

Check someone’s references carefully before letting them come into your home. A background check may also be a good idea. You might not know that the maid or contractor entering your home is a crook, and this could be a very bad mistake.

Having a dog that has a scary bark is beneficial. Burglars don’t want risk being attacked.

Rather than installing a security system, you can do other things to help keep your family safe. Whether you feel comfortable buying a gun, putting up a fence or adding extra locks to your doors, you have several options. Do not forget this advice in order to increase security in your home.

Inquire with your home security service as to how long they’ve been in business. Find a home security company that has a good reputation and many years of experience to get excellent service. You’ll have a lot more confidence in your choice if you stick with a company that has a proven track record.