9 Security Mistakes That Make Your Home a Target (Yet People Are Still Making Them)
It’s important to keep your home safe, but a lot of homeowners make simple blunders that make their homes ideal targets for crooks. People frequently think that locking doors, setting alarms, and putting up cameras are enough to keep their houses safe, but it’s typically the little things that are missed that make homes unsafe. These flaws aren’t always easy to see, but they can be fixed quickly. However, they still put a lot of homes at danger.
Experts in security, real estate, and home security all agree that fixing these common mistakes is a good way to keep your property safer. A lot of these mistakes are small but important, and we might not see them in the busyness of everyday life. You can make modifications right away for some issues that are very easy to remedy.
The good news is that homeowners may protect their homes by detecting these frequent security faults and taking actions to fix them. We’ll talk about the nine most common mistakes people make when it comes to home security in this article. We’ll also provide you some useful tips on how to avoid making them.
1. Leaving Windows Unlocked
It’s an easy mistake to make, but robbers can easily break into your home if you leave your windows open. Many homeowners lock their doors but forget about their windows, especially on higher floors or in places that can’t be seen from the street. Criminals are always looking for less obvious ways to get into a house, and an open window is a great chance for them to do so.
Tom Davis, a locksmith with more than 20 years of experience, says, “People often forget to lock windows in places that are hard to see, like second-floor rooms or areas that are hidden by trees or bushes.” “Thieves know that these places are less watched and often use them to their advantage.”
Experts say that installing more security features, like window bars or locks that can only be opened with a key, can help keep someone from getting in without permission. Before you leave your house or go to bed, check every window, even the ones that don’t appear like they need it. A simple but very effective way to keep your home safe is to make sure all the windows are closed and locked.
2. Forgetting to Lock the Garage Door
It’s easy to forget to lock the garage door, especially if you have an automated system, but this mistake might put your safety at risk. Many people who own homes don’t lock their garages, which lets criminals go right into the house. Amanda Moore, a home security expert, says, “An open or unlocked garage door often leads directly into your house, making it easy for criminals to get in.”
Burglars often break into garages because they might not be watched as closely as the front door. Moore proposes putting in an automatic locking system to make sure the door is constantly locked. Along with locking the door, motion-sensor lights around the garage can assist keep people from breaking in. You can keep robbers from easily getting into your home through the garage if you take these steps.
3. Using Weak, Predictable Passwords on Security Systems
A lot of homeowners use digital security systems to be safe, but if you use weak, easy-to-guess passwords for these systems, you could be at risk. People often use simple, easy-to-guess passwords like “123456” or “password.” These passwords make it easier for hackers to break into your system and turn off its security settings. Rachel Green, a cybersecurity specialist, says, “Weak passwords let hackers get around security measures quickly, leaving your home unprotected.”
Green says that to keep your home safe, you should use strong, randomly generated passwords that have a mix of uppercase and lowercase characters, numbers, and symbols. Changing your passwords often and turning on two-factor authentication (2FA) can make your system even more secure. By doing these things, you may make it much difficult for crooks to get into your security system and lower the chance of a break-in.
4. Overlooking Outdoor Lighting
Burglars are less likely to break into homes that are well-lit on the outside, yet many homeowners don’t do a good job of lighting the outside of their homes. Michael Long, a security specialist, says, “Burglars like to work in the dark because it makes it easier for them to hide and move around without being seen.” “Without enough light around entry points, you’re basically telling burglars to break in when it’s dark.”
Lights that turn on when you move are a great method to make sure your home is always well-lit. Putting these lights in your front yard, back yard, garage, and any other dark spots on your property makes it harder for burglars to get away with their crimes. These lights turn on by themselves when they sense movement, letting you and your neighbors know that someone might be trying to break in. Not only does a well-lit home make your property look more pleasant, it also makes it safer. This improves both curb appeal and security.
5. Hiding Spare Keys in Obvious Places
It may seem like a good idea to keep a spare key under the doormat or in a flowerpot, but this is one of the most common—and completely avoidable—security blunders. Jessica Hill, a security expert, adds, “Burglars know exactly where to look for spare keys.” “They check under mats, in mailboxes, and inside hanging plants as soon as they pick a house.”
Instead of putting your keys in places where they are easy to find, think about utilizing a coded lockbox or providing your backup key to a neighbor you trust. Another safer option is a keypad entry system that lets you enter a code instead of using a physical key. This makes sure that only people who are allowed to enter your home may do so, which lowers the danger of someone breaking in.
6. Ignoring the Importance of a Security System Sign
It’s nice to have a top-notch security system, but it’s just as crucial to let would-be burglars know that your home is safe. Gary Mitchell, a home security expert, says, “A security sign is one of the best ways to keep crime away from your property.” “Most burglars want to break into places that are easy to get into, and a security sign makes them think twice.”
A security sign can be a strong deterrent, even if you don’t have cameras or an alarm system. If you put security signs on your front door, yard, or windows, it will let intruders know that someone is watching your property. For the best visibility, Mitchell says to put up several security stickers or placards about your property. A sign’s existence is often enough to make thieves think twice about what they were going to do.
7. Not Securing the Perimeter of Your Property
Don’t forget about the outside of your house when you lock it up. Landscaper Paul Adams adds, “Burglars don’t always come in through the front door; they often look for ways to get into a home through the side or backyard.” “Fences, thorny plants, and security cameras around the edges of your property make it clear that your home is not easy to get to.”
Putting up a strong fence or planting thorny bushes around weak spots is a good strategy to keep burglars from getting close to your property without being seen. Also, putting motion-sensor cameras around the outside of your property can let you know about any strange behavior and help keep it safe. These steps make it evident to intruders that your property is safe from all angles.
8. Posting Your Vacation Plans Online
It can seem like a fun way to remain in touch to post your trip plans on social media, but it’s not safe. Realtor Laura Roberts says, “When you post about being away from home, you’re basically telling burglars that your house is empty.” “This gives criminals a chance to break into your home when they know no one is there.”
Roberts says you should keep your vacation plans to yourself until you get back home. If you have to share updates while you’re on vacation, don’t broadcast real-time information like when you check in at the airport or your travel plans. You can lower the chance of being a target for burglars by not posting your travel intentions on social media.
9. Not Updating Locks When Moving In
A lot of new homeowners think that the locks on their doors are safe, but this isn’t always true. Mark Thompson, a contractor, adds, “You don’t know how many people had access to the keys before you moved in.” “One of the best things you can do to keep your home safe is to change the locks.”
Thompson says that as soon as you move in, you should change the locks on all of the doors and the garage. Even if the former owners looked like they might be trusted, they might have provided copies of the keys to contractors, maintenance workers, or neighbors. Changing the locks makes sure that only you can get into your home. This easy step can make your home more safer.
