8 Clever Home Security Tips: Protecting Your Home from Burglary
When it comes to home security mistakes and residential burglary, many of us can go years without experiencing such an event.
It’s not uncommon to feel safe for extended periods, but when a break-in does occur, the impact can be devastating.
In 2019/20, England and Wales witnessed over 402 thousand burglaries, a concerning statistic that might leave homeowners feeling vulnerable, wondering if their residence could be the next target.
Fortunately, there are effective home security tips you can implement to bolster your home’s safety and prevent break-ins.
Ensuring your property is adequately secured is crucial, as it significantly reduces the likelihood of falling victim to a home intrusion or assault.
While you cannot control the choices of a burglar, you can certainly make it more challenging for them to gain access to your home by avoiding these common mistakes.
Steer Clear of These 8 Critical Home Security Errors
- Concealing Valuable Items on Display
- Avoiding Outdoor Spare Key Hiding
- Disclosing Travel Plans on Social Media
- Leaving Doors and Windows Unsecured
- Creating Concealment Opportunities for Burglars
- Addressing Damaged Locks on Doors and Windows
- Repairing or Activating Unused Security Systems
- Neglecting Security System Maintenance
1. Concealing Valuable Items on Display
When it comes to effective home security tips, it’s essential to avoid displaying empty boxes from high-value items such as TVs and laptops in plain view.
Securely place them inside a garbage bag or store them within your home until you can dispose of them discreetly.
Regularly conceal the packaging of expensive items or dispose of it inconspicuously.
This will help you avoid drawing unnecessary attention to your residence.
Few people would leave cash or a diamond bracelet exposed on a table near an open window.
If any of your valuables are visible from the outside through your home’s windows, you’re essentially making yourself a target for potential burglars.
Never position your valuable possessions in a way that tempts thieves.
Storing Valuables in Unsecured Vehicles
Not all families can accommodate all their vehicles in their garages.
Regrettably, nocturnal thieves often view these situations as lucrative opportunities and target the valuables left within the parked cars.
If securing your vehicle in a safe garage is not an option, ensure that you remove all valuables, including garage door openers, from the car.
2. Avoiding Outdoor Spare Key Hiding
Placing a spare key beneath the doormat or beneath a potted plant is the first spot an intruder will inspect.
This grants them swift, uncomplicated entry to your home without arousing suspicion from passersby.
Burglars possess a keen understanding of homeowner habits, prompting them to thoroughly explore all conceivable outdoor hiding spots in pursuit of an effortless break-in opportunity.
If you tend to forget your keys, consider installing a keypad-accessible door lock to ensure you can regain entry when needed.
However, if you must leave a spare key outside for any reason, place it in a plastic bag and bury it (just be certain it’s in a location you can easily rediscover).
3. Disclosing Travel Plans on Social Media
A considerable portion of our social media posts serves little purpose and can inadvertently make us vulnerable to various risks.
To be candid, most of our “friends” and followers on social platforms remain unfamiliar faces.
While it may be tempting to instantly share those exciting moments as they unfold, it’s not the wisest choice if home security is a priority.
By doing so, you’re essentially broadcasting your absence and the fact that your home is unattended.
It’s advisable to wait until you’ve returned home to share your vacation photos and memories.
Moreover, sharing images taken within your residence on social media might enable a potential burglar to easily identify valuable items and their locations.
It’s easy to make home security oversights, especially if you’ve never encountered issues before.
Despite having robust security measures in place, these small vulnerabilities in your digital presence can have significant consequences.
4. Leaving Doors and Windows Unsecured
One of the most prevalent home security oversights is neglecting to lock doors and windows.
The garage door is often deemed the easiest point of entry into a residence.
Burglars can employ a wire coat hanger to manipulate the emergency release lever, allowing them to manually open the door, a process that takes just a few seconds.
The occurrence of numerous home security blunders could be significantly reduced by adhering to these home security tips.
Unlocked doors provide a straightforward gateway to the rest of your home, and an open garage door essentially invites intruders inside.
Always ensure that your garage doors and entryways are securely locked.
Leaving your windows open grants burglars easy access to your home.
This applies to second-story windows as well, which a burglar can reach with a ladder.
It’s essential to consistently keep your windows locked when you’re away, as they can provide entry points for burglars into areas such as your bedrooms.
Opportunistic thieves are perpetually on the lookout for easy targets.
5. Creating Concealment Opportunities for Burglars
Tall, dense bushes can enhance the aesthetics of your property when positioned away from windows and doors.
However, when these substantial shrubs are positioned too close to your home, they inadvertently provide ideal cover for potential intruders.
Thick foliage serves as effective camouflage for anyone attempting to break in, making it essential to regularly trim these tall, dense bushes that obstruct access to your residence.
Additionally, it’s prudent to avoid leaving your windows open when you’re away from home, even if they are on upper floors.
This precautionary measure helps mitigate the risk of unauthorized entry.
6. Addressing Damaged Locks on Doors and Windows
Inexpensive locks are susceptible to increasingly clever burglars.
By reading this article, you can fortify your defenses against burglary or home invasion, making it considerably more challenging for most burglars to even attempt.
First and foremost, view your home from the perspective of a potential intruder and identify potential vulnerabilities.
If you can gain access to your home using a touchscreen or your smartphone, you’ll never need to hide or track down a spare key again.
Many burglars possess the knowledge to bypass standard locks, so it’s wise to consider upgrading to more advanced and secure locking systems.
With a variety of lock types available, employing a combination of robust locking methods can effectively deter break-ins.
7. Repairing or Activating Unused Security Systems
People who haven’t experienced a break-in often become complacent about their home security, overlooking crucial home security tips.
The good news is that bolstering your home’s security doesn’t have to be excessively costly and can significantly reduce your vulnerability.
Avoiding these common oversights can significantly enhance the effectiveness of your home alarm system and reduce the likelihood of a break-in.
To elevate your alarm system to the next level and provide your home with top-notch security, it’s worth considering the installation of a high-quality wireless system.
While security cameras are essential, they alone may not address all security concerns.
Often, a single security camera isn’t sufficient. With only one camera in place, burglars may find ways to evade it.
Ideally, your security cameras should cover high-traffic areas and key entry points, such as the front door and windows, to provide comprehensive video surveillance.
Combining a dependable alarm system with your security camera setup can strengthen your home security fundamentals and may even lead to insurance premium discounts.
Homes equipped with monitored security systems are 300% less likely to experience break-ins than those lacking security systems altogether.
8. Neglecting Security System Maintenance
When it comes to addressing home security mistakes and implementing effective home security tips, consistently locking your doors remains your safest and most basic precaution against intruders.
Promptly report any maintenance issues, such as broken windows, to your landlord to prevent your residence from becoming an attractive target for burglars.
Furthermore, it’s essential to maintain the exterior of your home in a clean and well-kept condition.
Don’t forget to incorporate motion sensor lights around the perimeter of your property.
This not only helps with your electricity bill but also deters potential burglars from approaching your home.
You can program these lights to activate from dusk until dawn when additional illumination is required.
Motion detection enables your cameras to start recording when an object within their field of view triggers the sensor.
If any components of your security system show signs of wear or malfunction, a locksmith technician can diagnose and address the issue.
Regular lock maintenance not only safeguards your security system but also ensures that it won’t fail you when you need it the most.
Protect Your Home with These Valuable Home Security Tips
A typical burglary takes no more than 15 minutes, and midday is an opportune time for intruders as kids are at school, and adults are at work.
For most people, making a few simple changes can deter burglars from targeting their homes.
Avoid leaving valuable items near windows, such as smartphones or car keys, where a thief can quickly grab them.
As part of your home security tips checklist, secure items like tools and ladders to prevent burglars from using them as means to access your home.
If you’re away from home for an extended period, ensure that your mailbox doesn’t fill up.
Arrange for someone to collect your mail and packages.
When it comes to home security, cameras play a crucial role in home safety.
While we all lock our homes before leaving for a trip, taking extra precautions is vital to keep your home secure while you’re away.
Wait until you’ve returned home to share your travel highlights on social media, and remember to keep your doors and windows locked at all times, even when you’re at home.
