Read this article to learn how to properly secure your home.

Check their references thoroughly. If you are using a cleaning firm, call your local BBB to check their reputation.

Always change the locks after moving into a new home. You cannot be sure of the number of key copies that the former owner gave out. Call a locksmith as soon as you can for maximum security. Also, if you ever lose your keys, do the same.

A good security system has other features than sounding an alarm during a break-in. Many can be used to go off whenever anyone enters. This is great for parents of small children since they know when their kids open or close doors.

Above doors or under doormats are not smart ideas. You could hide it in your dog’s collar.

Don’t just hide your spare key anywhere. Under the doormat or above the door frame are all too common spaces that will be checked first by potential intruders. One idea is to hide your key inside the collar of your outdoor dog.

This will give your home an extra protection layer.

Don’t talk about an upcoming vacation anywhere on social media. It’s great to see new places and take a lot of photos, but this is as good as throwing out the welcome mat for people who know your home is unoccupied.

Social networking sites are great for keeping in touch, but post information sparingly. For example, you might avoid broadcasting when you are going out of town, especially if your friends list contains casual acquaintances. Though trips are always fun to talk about, you may be doing little more than telling burglars the best times to visit your house.

You never open up a door to someone you do not know. People try many ways to trick others to open up their doors so that they can commit burglary or worse. Make a rule in your home that you only open the door for an unexpected visitor.

There is a way to prevent burglars from entering your home through an attached garage. You can use a C-clamp to stop the door and prevent it from being opened.

You should mute your land line phone if you are going on a vacation. If your phone is ringing while you are out, burglars will realize that no one is home, making your home very vulnerable to an attack during your time away.

Police Department

See if your area police department offers any home security programs. Many police departments offer programs that can include home inspections, like on self-defense or other things related to your home. Contact your local police department to find out if they have something similar.

You can hide things in your walls. If you need to protect expensive items in your home, put them inside the walls. You could use a phone jack, electrical outlet or a switch plate. Installing a false unused plate is very easy to do if your home doesn’t have one.

Regardless of the type of home security system you choose, you need to check it annually. Get a security comapny tech to check it out.You might not even discover these problems that arise in some cases.

Put motion-sensor lights into your house. These lights will come on if someone walks closely to your house. Just remember to change out the bulbs periodically to keep them functioning at all times.

If you have purchased any large and/or expensive items, do not throw the boxes away until the day before the trash man is scheduled to come. These boxes sitting outside your home serve as a flag for thieves to target your home.

Most real-world burglars aren’t master lock-breakers; they simply stroll in through a door is left carelessly unlocked. A thief can take plenty of valuables in only a few minutes.

When selecting an alarm set-up, consider one that offers protection for more than just your doors. All windows are possible entry spots for thieves. You want a security system that monitors all windows and entry points. This is just one more thing you can keep your home.

Were you aware that your home’s wires are valuable? Lots of people fail to appreciate this until they are hit by thieves. Copper wiring is quite valuable, and it’s quick and easy for criminals to strip it right off the outside of your house! Keep your wiring hidden or inaccessible to potential burglars.

Always check references from anyone work inside your home. You need to do background check as well to find out about their criminal history. You might not know that the maid or contractor entering your home is a crook, and blindly giving them access to your home can be a huge mistake.

The areas outside your home should be well lit. Burglars like the darkness. Install some outside lights in areas that possible criminals can use to enter your home. This can include garages, porches, your garage, and ground floor windows that criminals can use.

Replace rotten wood on your door frame. An intruder can simply pry away that rotted wood and enter your home. Always replace rotting wood with fresh wood immediately to keep your house strong and secure.

Although automated electronic systems are powerful, security systems aren’t always necessary. Some neighborhoods may do better with self-defense classes or having a dog, while other people enjoy the feeling of security that a sophisticated alarm system can bring. Know the risks so that you want and make your decisions based on that.

You need a good home security system.Video camera installation can effectively make your home safe. Visible cameras have a deterrent effect, and if they try to disarm them, your hidden camera can record the action. A lot of surveillance cameras could be accessed through your phone, letting you check on your house when you’re away.

You can make your home safer by investing in some motion detectors and outside lights. Cost-effective and aesthetically pleasing, these lights really add value to your home. When they are positioned correctly, they make it pretty much impossible for intruders to get to your house unnoticed.

There are many ways to make your home safer, both with and without home security systems. Between purchasing a firearm, installing more locks or putting a fence up, you have many choices. Keep these things in mind when thinking about home security.