Could Your Security Be Compromised?

You want to ensure your home is as safe as possible because any home can be burglarized at any time. Even if you’re not home when it happens, a burglary can shatter your sense of security. When your sense of security is compromised, it is nearly impossible to feel safe in your home. That’s why it’s good to have a security service outfit your home with a system that suits your needs, such as protection against intruders, fire, and carbon monoxide. In the meantime, there are some common home security mistakes to avoid.

Be Vigilant about Home Security

It is important to be vigilant at all times when it comes to your home security. You should feel safe at home, not like anyone can come through the door at any time and threaten your family or your belongings. Below are 10 common home security mistakes to be aware of:

1. Hiding Your House Key Under a Doormat

Even amateur burglars know to check under doormats or rocks that are near the door. They may even check the potted plants. If you need someone to come into your home while you’re not there, it is good to coordinate with them beforehand or leave a key with a trusted neighbor.

2. Leaving a Ladder Out in the Open

If you leave a ladder outside, that is almost welcoming someone to use it to break into a second story window. Make sure the ladder is in the garage and that upstairs windows are locked.

3. Using Cheap Locks

You don’t want to put cheap locks on your windows and doors. Heavy-duty is the way to go. Many burglars know how to break standard locks, so you want to make breakage as difficult as possible. Even with a home security system in place, you don’t want to make breaking in too easy.

4. Forgetting to Lock Doors

Forgetting to lock doors or forgetting to set your alarm system can leave the home vulnerable. The most common door people forget to lock is the garage door. It’s also one of the easiest points for a burglar to break into. All it takes is a wire coat hanger and an emergency release lever that is within the reach of that hanger. You can lock your garage door via the key lock or have a Gaplock installed.

5. Relying on Your Dog

A dog that barks when someone unfamiliar is around the home is great. If the dog is loud and vicious sounding, it can scare off an intruder. Nonetheless, you should still have an alarm system and lock your doors. While your dog can sound very intimidating, they don’t usually attack people, so this means that the dog most likely won’t stop the intruder.

6. Using Fake Surveillance Cameras

Dummy cameras can look real, but they’re not. Even the battery-operated cameras that have a light on them may not necessarily deter a burglar. Experienced burglars can usually tell the difference between fake and real video surveillance. Fortunately, you can buy real security cameras that you can remotely access from your smartphone so you can keep track of what’s happening. Plus, burglars think twice.

7. Inadequate Outdoor Lighting

Dark areas make for great hiding places. Not having adequate lighting can make it easy for a burglar to stake out the house or hide where they can’t be seen, just waiting for an opportunity to go inside.

8. Leaving the Empty Item Boxes Outside

Christmas is the prime time in which the empty boxes of expensive items find their way into the outside trash. Burglars see this and it tells them that there are expensive items in the house that are worth breaking in for. They will take the items, pawn them or sell them to others. If possible, keep the boxes inside until you can break them down and put them in trash bags or take them to a closed dumpster.

9. Posting on Social Media that You Will be Gone

It can be a lot of fun to share your beach pictures while you’re at the beach, but it’s not a good idea. As secure as you think your Facebook posts may be and as trustworthy as your friends list may seem, you never know who is going to decide to take the opportunity to break into your home and take what’s yours.

10. Leaving No or One Light On While Gone

Some people leave no lights on while they’re gone. Others leave only one on. A burglar who may be casing a home with one light will notice that the same light stays on at all times. This is a telltale sign that no one is home. Putting lights on a digital timer or being able to operate them remotely can enable you to make sure different lights are on every night.

Keep Your Family Safe

So here you have 10 common home security mistakes that you can avoid so that your home can be as safe as possible for you and your family.