Common Home Security Mistakes

There are several common home security mistakes that people make over and over again thinking that burglaries always happen to someone else. Thieves count on laziness and lax home security and take advantage of the situation whether you live in a ‘safe’ neighborhood or not.

Outlined below are some of the most common home security mistakes and preventative measures that you can take to avoid becoming another statistic.

1.

Hiding a House Key Outside

Lots of us like to have a backup plan in case we lock ourselves out of our own house. It happens to everyone once in a while. But thieves have long since figured out that keys are often easily found in potted plants, fake rocks, and other hiding places. A better solution is giving a copy of your house keys to a friend or trusted neighbor.

2.

Lots of Shrubbery Near Doors and Windows

We like planting bushes near the house to enhance a feeling of privacy, especially where houses are close together but thieves love it even more because they can use these shrubs as cover while they probe for unlocked windows and other weak points in home security. It’s recommended to remove bushes, especially around basement windows, to make your home less attractive to thieves.

3.

Allowing Strangers Access to your Home

If someone unexpectedly shows up at your front door to take a meter reading or make an ‘inspection’, do not let them into your home until you have made a phone call to check their authenticity. The elderly are especially vulnerable to this. Many times, a thief will use an official-looking uniform and ID to case your possessions for a burglary later or distract you for a moment and make off with something valuable.

4.

A Note on the Front Door or Answering Machine Message.

If you are away on vacation or running a last minute errand, do not change your answering machine message or leave a note on the front door. A small note is a big sign that You’re Not Home and an opportunistic thief will see that and leave an unpleasant surprise for you when you get back.

5.

Not Having Friends and Family Watch the House when you’re Away

Everyone leads a fairly busy life and you may be reluctant to ask friends and family to house-sit or periodically check on your home while you’re away. But this is a small favor to ask and sooner or later they’ll be in a position where they too want this accommodation.

6.

Failing to Arm your Home Security System

The majority of burglaries happen during the daytime and this is when most folks are less likely to arm their home security system. Even if you are going to be gone for a few minutes, get in the habit of arming your home security system whenever you leave the house and have the other members of your family do the same.

7.

Leaving a Ladder in the Yard

This is a big mistake. Leaving an unsecured ladder in your back yard is an open invitation to thieves to use your ladder to gain access through a second- or third-story window. Whenever you are done with a ladder, put it back in the garage or chain it to a tree so that your own tools cannot be used against you.

8.

Unlocked Garage Doors and Windows

Garage windows are a favorite target for thieves because they are frequently out of sight and easy to pry open with a screwdriver. Once they are in the garage through the window or unlocked garage door, it’s easy to get into the house because homeowners often do not lock the door into the house. Install extra locks on your garage windows and make sure that your garage door is always securely locked.