Because you are a homeowner, it goes without saying you will take the matter of home security quite seriously. Nonetheless, it is difficult to know what steps to take first. The following article should be very beneficial as you begin.

Your home should looked occupied all the time. Buy timers so that lights, radios, TVs and all other electronics turn on and off at various times. This makes it appear that someone is home. This is a great way to keep your home safe and avoid burglaries.

Use your dog as the protector of your spare key. This can be done if your dog can come outside. Attach the key to your dog’s collar, and it will be handy if you ever need a spare.

Get a safe to protect your valuable items. This is essential, because you would never want valuable jewelry and other items to be seen by intruders. Keep the safe hidden in a hard-to-find location like an attic or a basement closet.

Don’t just hide your spare key anywhere. Intruders will think to look on the top if a door frame and under a doormat. Instead, try hiding a key on the collar of an outside dog.

Before selecting any home-security company, talk to your friends to see who they suggest. There are likely people you know that have had either good or bad experiences with these companies. Do your research; it will help you make a good decision in the end.

Trust your instincts when it comes to hiring a home security company. You should be very picky when it comes to letting people inspect your home. If you don’t feel comfortable, go with someone else. Ultimately, the whole point is for you to have peace of mind.

You should always lock up your house, even if you’re only planning to be gone for a short time. Break-ins are often the result of unlocked windows and doors. It won’t take long for thieves to steal lots of expensive valuables.

Make sure all the wood around your doors is in great shape. If a person wants to enter your home, rotted wood can easily be pried away. Replace rotting wood with fresh wood to improve your home’s security.

The number one thing you must do if you’re moving into a new place is have the locks changed. Previous tenants may have given the keys back to the landlord, but it is always possible to make copies of keys. If you own, you can have the locks replaced and only you will have had the key.

Don’t let anyone in your house without knowing their work history and checking their references. Do not hesitate to hire someone to run a background check if you have doubts. You can never be certain if the contractor, repairman, maid, etc. that you hire to do services in your home is honest. If you let these people in without knowing anything about them, you could experience significant losses.

You must make it a priority to keep your home safe for your well being and peace of mind. There is no denying this truth. The best way to know this can sometimes be elusive, though, unless you have reviewed the information above.

By Laura