As a homeowner, you must do everything possible to keep your family safe. Regretfully, home invasions are common. This article contains information on protecting your home, property and family.<br><br>Do you have an outdoor dog? Your pet might just be the perfect place to stash a spare key to your home. Put the key on the dog's collar. This is especially useful if the dog does not take kindly to strangers.<br><br>Don't just hide your spare key anywhere. You don't want to put them in common spots, such as above the frame of the door or under the doormat. For a better solution, try tucking your spare key into your dog's collar, provided you have an outside dog.<br><br>If you have an attached garage, don't forget to secure it as well. Many people worry about burglars getting into their attached garage and then entering their home, but there is a fix. Simply attach a C-clamp near the roller on the door track.<br><br>Avoid opening the door if you don't know who is standing on the other side. Criminals can be endlessly inventive when it comes to generating a convincing story to force their way into your home. No matter how sympathetic the story, remember that it could all be a put-on. Enforce a rule within your house that no one opens the door to unexpected people.<br><br>You should always park your car inside your garage instead of using your garage to store some belongings. If your car is in your garage there is less of a chance to vandalize or steal it. Additionally, if your car is put away, burglars will not be able to tell whether or not you are home.<br><br>If you live more out in the country, you may think that you're not at risk. Some people feel that rural residents lead riskier lives because they are far away from neighbors. Some people, though, believe that you will not be at risk for a burglary.<br><br>Get flashlights with good batteries, and have them in each room in case you lose power. It is extremely important that you have flashlights because they allow you to move around easier in the dark, which is especially useful in an emergency. Train kids how to use the flashlights so that everyone may contribute.<br><br>Walls can be a great hiding spot. You can hide small valuables in your walls. Simply take advantage of an unused switch plate, electrical outlet, or phone jack. If you have no unused plates, you can easily install false ones.<br><br>If you're hiring a company for home security, be sure to read any fine print before you sign that contract. There may be some hidden fees, or a need to buy more equipment later. These are costs you'll want to avoid.<br><br>Be sure to secure the skylights to your home. Intruders could use skylights to enter your home. Any skylights in your home should be secured with strong hardware.<br><br>Rather than believing that you will never have a burglar break into your home, you should be prepared in case it were to occur. You do not need to live in fear, but you must be cautious. Remember these tips so you can increase the security of your home to protect your family.<br> <a href="http://www.23hq.com/joshua861qnkhblog/story/18067446">online file storage services</a>