Many people wish that there was a less expensive way to maintain a feeling of security while at home. You do not have to break the bank in order to feel safe! Read these great tips for way to create a safe haven for you and your family at all times.

When you move into a new home change all the locks. Even though the previous homeowner may have given you keys to the house, there might be a key out there that someone has. To be sure you are as safe as possible, get all new locks for your new house.

Do not leave your garage doors open, even if you are currently home. Burglars will try to get in through the garage, and if it is open, they can easily break through the door to your home. Use a keypad that requires a combination to allow access into your house.

Having a dog can deter burglars. Even the little dogs that make a lot of noise a can be effective. Most burglars dislike drawing attention to their presence. That said, trained guard dogs aren’t usually good pets. Attack training and obedience training are two different things. Any house pets should only have obedience training.

Get to know your neighbors. Your neighbors are a valuable resource that can help keep an eye on your home when you cannot. When neighbors watch out for each other, you can be alerted if anything suspicious is occurring. Keep an ear out for neighborhood gossip too! If you hear about houses in your area being broken into, it might be time to step up security.

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.

Keep your windows locked. It seems like an obvious step to take, however many people simply forget to check the locks on their windows. Thieves are always looking for the easiest way into a home, and doors and windows are among the first entrance points they check. This includes screened windows too, as screens can pop off quite easily.

Always lock your home when you leave it, no matter how soon you plan to return. Most break-ins and burglaries occur because a door is left open and an intruder just walks in. It doesn’t take long for a thief to steal thousands of dollars worth of stuff.

Fingertip locks are a common, effective way to protect intruders from entering your home. With these locks, the only way someone can get through your front door is by you programming their fingerprints into the system. If someone not in the system attempts to use their fingerprint to get in, you will be alerted.

The wiring outside of your home can be valuable. Many folks are not aware of this until a thief steals it. Copper wiring can easily be removed. Be sure to keep your wiring hidden or difficult to reach.

Keep your outdoor areas well lit. Nothing is as attractive to a burglar as a dark, deeply-shadowed house. Light up the dark spots around your home. This includes doorways, windows, and your garage.

If there is space around your door within its frame, shore it up with .75″ plywood. If wood won’t do it, try using sheet metal instead. When there is a gap, the burglar can easily jimmy open the door, so close up the space and ensure that no one will be able to get inside.

If you do not have any technical know-how, you should never attempt to install your home alarm system yourself. While it may look fairly easy, there may be things you don’t quite understand. This means the system will not be installed properly, which means your house will be at risk.

When going on vacation, leave your car in your driveway. If this is not possible, ask your neighbor if he or she will park in your driveway. If intruders see a car in the driveway, they will assume someone is home. This means they will avoid breaking into your home.

Ask your neighbors to grab your mail, newspapers and flyers when you go away for an extended period of time. If a burglar sees a pile of papers building at your door, they’ll know you’re not home. This is a simple way to keep your home safe when you aren’t around to do so.

Home security systems are not your only option when it comes to maintaining a sense of safety. As stated in the beginning of the article, there are many cheaper alternatives to deter criminals. Remember the tips in this article so you can remain at ease when you’re in your home.

Try Out These Awesome Home Security Tips was originally published on Spring