Follow This Great Article About Home Security To Help You

Something tragic or bad can and will occur when you’re not expecting it. Never risk putting you and your family in danger due to neglecting your safety. This article has advice to help protect your home.

TIP! Make your home look occupied at all times. Timers can be used to turn lights and televisions on and off when required.

Your dog could carry a spare key for you. This only makes sense if your dog is outdoors a lot or you have a pet door. Hide a key inside the collar of your dog in case you need a spare.

TIP! Put your spare key on your dog. This can be done if your dog can come outside.

Make sure that you change the locks once you’ve taken possession of the house. You never know how many copies of the keys the previous owners made and handed out. Call a locksmith to make sure you’re the only one with access to your home. If you lose keys, make sure to do this, too.

TIP! When you buy a new house, be sure the locks are changed. You have no clue how many people were given keys by the former owner.

Don’t give the keys to your home to a professional cleaner unless you trust them completely. You need to ensure that they are honest and reputable according to references before you have handed over the key. Ask for references and check them thoroughly. If applicable, call the BBB to inquire about their reputation.

TIP! Compare various home security systems when shopping. Most companies have different price schemes for the the same general level of protection.

There are more features to a home alarm system besides making sounds when people break in. Many systems sound an alert whenever people enter the house. This is a good way to keep track of where your young children are.

TIP! See what your local police department offers in terms of home protection programs. Many police departments offer programs that can include home inspections, home security training and more.

Don’t allow anyone you don’t know to look into your house. Do not give in, even if a person uses a convincing story, asks for help or says they are selling something. Some people may simply be trying to determine whether or not you have a home security installed; if you don’t, they may plan to return later if you are away from your home.

TIP! You should always park your car inside your garage instead of using your garage to store some belongings. Keeping your car in your house will deter intruders from vandalizing or stealing it.

Is your garage used for storage? Consider removing those items and keeping your car there instead. It will be far more secure against thieves. A car kept locked in a garage is much less likely to be stolen or damaged. Keeping your car out of sight is also a good way to prevent intruders from determining whether or not you are home.

TIP! Skylights could be a problem for the safety of your home. Skylights are great for making a home brighter, but they can make it easier for burglars to access the house.

No matter how good your security system is, it should be checked annually. Have a worker from the security company take a look at it. A number of things may cause your alarm system to have problems, including mother nature and wild animals. It’s quite possible for there to be a fault in your system even if you can’t see it.

TIP! Just moved in? Time for new locks! Although the person you purchased the house from might seem good, you really have no clue as to who they really are. Remember that other families may have lived there before that person as well.

The first thing to do is get your locks changed out. Whether you have a roommate who is about to move out, or a relationship that has run its course, it is a good idea change your locks. It shouldn’t cost too much, and the process can be completed very quickly.

TIP! Before you let anyone go into your home, look at their references thoroughly. For a relatively small fee, you can also run a background check for their criminal history.

Understand certain safety precautions when it comes to having skylights for your home. They look great and provide light, but also are another access point. Fix your skylights so they cannot be accessed as an entry point by intruders.

TIP! When you hire a security firm, be certain to review all contracts carefully. They sometimes have hidden costs if you let go of them prior to the contract expiring.

Avoid placing spare keys under door mats or in plant boxes. These seem like great places for you when you misplace your key. Burglars always know just where to look. Instead, have a trustworthy neighbor hold on to your spare key.

TIP! Criminals are much less likely to target your home if it’s well lit. Most intruders avoid anything that could reveal their identity.

Criminals are always unpredictable, and it can sometimes be difficult to understand if you and your home are a target for their illegal activities. Instead of just hoping it will not happen to you, take the steps to secure your home. Remember these guidelines, and do a lot of research to protect yourself.

TIP! Keep your outdoor areas well lit. Thieves like to commit crimes when no one can see.