These Mistakes Regarding Home Security Can Place Your Family and Home at Risk
Unfortunately, it is becoming more and more essential that homeowners take the necessary measures to protect themselves from common criminals. Based on patterns, it has become evident that certain habits and lifestyle choices can make you an easy target. Let’s take a closer look at 15 home security mistakes that put you at risk.
Too Much Privacy
While many homeowners enjoy their privacy from their neighbours, too much of it can also be a bad thing. If nobody can see into your yard, criminals will have an easy job of getting in and out without being noticed. For this reason, many thieves actually choose homes that offer the most privacy.
Hiding Keys Outside
This one is pretty self-explanatory. While you may think that you’re being smart by hiding your key under a doormat or in a pot-plant, you’re actually just making it easy for uninvited visitors to make their way inside your home.
Bushes That Hide Your Home
Your choice in landscaping can either deter or attract criminals. If you have bushes or trees growing up the side of your home, you are more likely to be chosen as a target. These plants will provide the criminal with cover when trying to access your home.
Installing Outdoor Static Lights
Outdoor static lights are simply a missed opportunity. One of the most effective deterrents when it comes to criminals is motion-sensor lighting. This type of lighting will alert not only the homeowner but also the entire neighbourhood that there is movement where there shouldn’t be.
Visible Valuables
One easy way in which you can protect your home from criminals is by ensuring that all of your valuables are completely out of sight. When you leave, close any curtains or blinds so that prying eyes won’t be able to see the contents of your home. If a criminal is unsure whether a break-in will be worth the effort, they are more likely to choose a different target.
Packaging Left by the Curb
Leaving old packaging by the curb may seem harmless, but it is proven to attract criminals. This is especially true if you have just purchased a new TV or something of great value. By leaving the packaging outside for everyone to see, you are advertising that you have new and expensive property, making you an obvious target.
Alarm System Line of Sight
There is no doubt that an alarm system is a great tool to have in terms of crime prevention. However, if you are going to have one installed, be sure that the control panel can’t be seen from a first-floor window. If it can, criminals can easily break into your home and disable the alarm before it alerts you to the intrusion.
Social Media Travel Posts
Many people love to share their holiday posts online. While it may seem harmless, it is also worth keeping in mind that you are alerting the entire world to the fact that you are away, making your empty home an easy target for potential intruders.
Mail Pileups
Mail pileups are just another way to alert criminals to the fact that you haven’t been home for a while. If they see that your home is standing empty, it will become an obvious target.
Ladder Access
Don’t make it easy for criminals by leaving a ladder lying around your yard. A lot of the time, alarm systems are only set to monitor the first floor. By using a ladder, they can break into the second floor and avoid detection completely.
Daytime Risk
Many people assume that criminals will only break in during the nighttime. However, this isn’t always the case. More and more break-ins are occurring during the day, as people simply don’t expect it.
Poor Garage Security
Garages are a serious weak point in many homes. To help safeguard your property, be sure to reinforce your garage door and avoid leaving any tools lying around outside, as they are often used to disable the door entirely.
Neglecting Window Protection
Unsurprisingly, windows are prime entry points for criminals. While it may not look the greatest, installing any type of window protection can go a long way in deterring unwanted visitors.
No Backup Power
Many criminals wait for a power outage before they strike. If you have a backup power system, however, your home will be less appealing to thieves. Remember that they are always likely to choose the easiest home to break into.
No Visible Security Signs
By simply hanging security signs around your garden, you will deter criminals. Even fake signs have been shown to be massively effective.
