Your home is your sanctuary, but even the best security plans can fall short due to common oversights. Avoiding these mistakes can make a significant difference in protecting your property and loved ones. Here are the five most frequent home security mistakes—and simple ways to fix them.
1. Forgetting to Lock Doors and Windows
The Mistake: Most burglaries result from cases where doors and or windows are opened thus allowing the intruders to gain easy access to the property in question.
How to Avoid It:
- Lock your vehicle even if you are in the comfort of your home to make it a natural practice.
- Buy smart lock that is designed to changed to automatically lock at some given time.
- Suppose you have kids at home or you sometimes forget windows are open, you can install an alarm or its equivalent in the windows.
2. Hiding Spare Keys in Predictable Places
The Mistake: It may be convenient if one leave spare keys under the doormat or in a flowerpot or on a ledge similar the first place the burglar would look for a key.
How to Avoid It:
- Hand over spare keys to a friend or a close relative who should be trusted.
- Keep keys in a safety deposit box that requires a code to open it.
- Look at smart locks which allows inviting visitors by creating codes with validity of a specific time.
3. Neglecting Outdoor Lighting
The Mistake: There is inadequate lighting outside structures to discourage potential intruders making it easy for them to get inside.
How to Avoid It:
- Using motion sensitive lighting fix the lights around areas such as doors and walkways.
- Solar or smart installations could also be made to minimize on the usage of power on the compound.
- Trim bushes and shrubs low so they are unable to hide.
4. Not Using or Maintaining Security Systems
The Mistake: Having security features like a security system in place translates to having a security measure in place but not turning on the system or not having it checked up periodically makes you vulnerable.
How to Avoid It:
- Always use it when you’re at home make it a routine to arm your system.
- It is recommended to perform the test of your security equipment at least once a month to identify defects.
- Update the software as well as firmware of smart devices.
5. Oversharing on Social Media
- Save the descriptions of vacation experiences of the events for when you are at home.
- You need to change your settings on your social media platforms so only specific people can see what you post.
- Do not post photographs which show the distinct layout of a house and should not display luxurious items as well.