You have worked hard to create your home into a haven. However, this can spoiled when you experience a home break-in. If this thought worries you, you should do something about it. This article will talk about actions that you can take to protect your home and your family from unwanted home invaders.

There are cheaper alternatives to installing a home security system that deters criminals from breaking into your home. Simply putting up a fence or a “large dog” sign can help immensely. Criminals want to make the process as simple as possible for themselves, so dealing with a large dog would deter them.

You do not necessarily need an expensive home security system to protect your home. You can buy a dog. Dogs are great for home security. Not only will they protect your home while you are away, they are great additions to your family offering protection, companionship and additional security for your home.

Your dog can keep your spare house key for you. This approach is useful if your dog is a large breed that lives outdoor, or if your house has a doggy door. Latch the key on his collar and voila–you have a spare key available!

Never leave spare keys under doormats or any place in the exterior of your home. This is vital, as burglars will look here first to see if you made this mistake. Keep keys and lock combinations with you at all times to maintain the highest level of protection for your home.

Only give your house key to a professional house cleaner if you trust them. Be sure any home cleaner you give your key to is trustworthy and reputable. Make sure you check references. If you hire a cleaner from a company, then you should check the company with the BBB.

Do you have any exposed wires on the outside of your home? If so, hide them. Burglars will often try to cut off power to your alarm system or phone before breaking in. If there are wires that they can see, you are just making their job easier on them.

Keep your external home wiring under cover. You don’t want your wiring to be obvious to the wrong types of people. Not only does it invite the risk of a criminal cutting your phones and electricity, it also is often something thieves seek out! Copper (often in wires) can be sold for a decent price.

You should install heavy drapes and keep them closed in rooms where you have a lot of high end equipment. If you have an expensive computer, television or stereo system, showing them off through a window is akin to advertising. You are giving thieves an inventory of what is inside your home.

Clean up that dirty garage and park your car in it. Parking your car in your garage can really help keep criminal activity at bay. First, your car will be less of a target than if it was sitting parked on the street. Second, it makes it tougher for criminals to track your daily activities.

Make sure that everyone in your family is familiar with the emergency numbers in your phone. Also, have each of these programmed so that it only takes one touch of a button to dial them. This will allow everyone in your house to be of quick service if something goes wrong.

The best way to make your home appeared occupied while you are away is to have a housesitter look after your home. But if a housesitter is not available, you can increase your home security by installing timers on your interior lighting. Use the timers to make the lighting appear natural, by installing them in every room and varying the on and off times.

Don’t put your spare key in an obvious place near your front door. While you may need to prepare if you have a spare key, it is wise to choose ways that do not increase the risk of a criminal gaining entrance to your home. For obvious reasons, experienced burglars know every possible hiding spot. Ask a friend, neighbor or relative to keep your extra keys for you.

Ask a neighbor to watch your home and get your mail if you are going on a trip for a week or more. Burglars sometimes will check to see that the mail or newspapers are piling up on a driveway. If your neighbor gets these in advance, it looks as if you are home.

It only takes one break-in to shatter the secure feeling that you have at your home. However, if you do your homework and be diligent with implementing security measures, you and your family can have more peace of mind. Remember what you have read in this article, and get started with making your home into a safer place.

Keeping Burglars Out: Home Security Tips And Tricks was originally published on Spring