We all have seen the news, robbers talking about easy prays: “Yea, the car even had no alarm”, “they left the door unlocked”, “the hidden key was so obvious”. I even stumbled upon an interview with a burglar giving tips about how to keep your assets and property safe. So, I got curious. Maybe this busy life of mine made me so oblivious to the simple facts that makes me easy pray for people like them.
So, I started to list off the security mistakes we make and searched about them to see if these are common or I’m just forgetful. The result was so shocking that I had to share them. Here we go on 7 deadly home security mistakes you make that you don’t even know.
1. Hiding a Spare key
Let’s get the obvious out of the way, your spare key under the fake rock or under the certain flower pot is just lazy and we are not outsmarting anyone. I get it, you have a lot on your mind, sometimes you are late and waiting for the locksmith is just painful. However firstly that pain is nothing compared to coming to a home with all your jewelry and electronics gone and secondly, there are better ways to do it! It’s not the stone age anymore and access control systems are getting more and more popular these days which are surprisingly affordable.
2. Not locking your doors
Don’t try to justify it. Just don’t. I know what goes in your head: “I live in a good neighborhood”, “I’m in a gated community”, ”I will be back in 5 minutes”. NO! you think the burglar lurking and loitering around doesn’t know that? Or notice that?
Oh, and some people will come in the comments telling me that I have ADHD or ADD I forget sometimes, well again technology is always here to help you. There are smart door locks that will always remind you that you forgot to lock your door. So don’t skip it.
3. Hiding your security systems
This is a mistake, not realizing the deterrence power of a visible security system. This is confirmed by burglars and thieves themselves that they just don’t trouble themselves most the time. According to the research including Cnet show this belief: While some criminals might downplay security measures, research and interviews with ex-burglars reveal a different reality, with many citing security systems as a significant deterrent.
So, I went and asked, why do you do it and still answers were either misconception which we cleared, or it was a shocking answer! What was it you ask? Well according to a small percentage: “I want to catch them in the act!” and to that I have to say, please don’t. it’s probable you are not equipped and I’m pretty sure it is super dangerous to do this.
Let’s look at this true story that a Quora user shared:
“I knew a family that had a break-in, and their teenage son tried to run out of his room with a ball bat and beat the guys up. He smacked one of the guys, but there were several of them, and they eventually tackled him and took it away, and used it on him. He should have locked himself in his room and called the COPs.
I once had some local punks steal my pickup truck. They got stuck in the snow on my lawn, and for a few minutes, sat there spinning the tires. I considered running out there, opening the door, and yanking the guy out from behind the wheel. But I realized that I was the only thing protecting my family, so I didn’t do it. I stayed in the house, locked the doors, and called the police.
It was hard to do, but in hindsight, I made the right call.”
4. Thinking that the door is the only entry
You might think that the garage door is the most neglected door, that’s somewhat true and I myself am vigilant with the garage but no. I’m talking about windows. It’s breakable and most of the time, it has the most unreliable locks ever. I mean there are some laughable securities on windows. Let’s not forget the Video of the gentleman whom just bent the metal decorative security and goes right inside the property to demonstrate the weakness of what looked like a solid security fence.
Burglar alarms systems nowadays are equipped with different sensors to help you and your property to stay safe. Just get one, we have a spring special deal on it at the moment.
5. Dark property: are they home?
We understand your concerns about saving energy and the electricity bill, but even smallest source of light can make the best deterrent for burglars. Let’s put ourselves in the burglars shoes for a moment: a locked door, needs lock picking, fortified windows, maybe… a light on, they might be home! Even if you don’t know how to defend yourself with the slightest sound of trouble you have a phone and God it is easy to call 911. So no thank you.
Now I’m gonna stray a bit from the mistakes and will give you actual; tips on how to do it so bear with me, this is important.
Try outdoor lighting of yards and bushy areas, angle the light towards outside, you don’t want them to get a good look of what you have inside also as you might know the light in their eyes makes them less aware. And if you are going to have lights like night lights inside make sure they are dim and you have curtains or blinds closed.
6. Visible Valuables
Do you like to keep your jewelry box on the night stand? Think again! While you are not present at your property someone might be checking it out and hey what’s that? Their jewelry? A high-tech rumba? The new smart TV 2025 that costs a fortune and a PS5?… see where I’m going with this?
Ideally you must be able to close off blinds but you should always assume that the robber is a pro. He knows how to determine the value and if he estimates your property worth the risk, well you got unwanted attention.
7. Overgrown bushes and trees
It’s a common misconception, that letting the greenery outside the house to grow wild will cover the view, but there is one key element you are forgetting, your security also needs the view. By now you might have considered to have a smart home security and they need to see what you don’t. also there is a small chance that your house will seem deserted and not taken care of.
8. Packages are a clue for them
You might think this is a paranoid topic, but we are talking based on statistics. And burglars watch over you carefully, even go through your trash. Now imagine they see a big tv box in the trash or many amazon package boxes at once. This is a great indicator that, your property value has just gone up! In their eyes of course. And even if those amazon boxes contain random low value stuff, still it’s not worth an encounter with a burglar. General rule of thumb is, avoid obvious purchase signs outside of your property
9. social media mistakes
yes, the thief’s research. And in this age that we are voluntarily putting out our every information on display, social media is a very popular source of information for the criminals. You talking about your routines, your jewelry show offs, chilling with the new PS5, your upcoming travels, or even posting while you are on vacation, means your home is a potential target. Either you are a cyber security expert, or you are just giving the “researcher” your data on a silver platter.
10. Rusty security equipment
Maintain your security systems regularly. It’s something that we are not just in the mood to do all the time are these thoughts familiar? “who has the time?” and “they are just going to charge us to tell us everything is fine.”; But there are people who read this and they remember the day that they submitted their security footage to the insurance or law enforcement and saw that the image was blurry and got disqualified and boy do insurance agent loves hearing the word disqualified.
What should you do to keep your property safe?
First, Stay vigilant, in the case of security ignorance is not bliss. Check the list we provided you and follow them as much as possible.
You might say that, social media is my life, or I can’t control what every family member is posting, or what am I supposed to do with the boxes then? That’s where my 2nd tip comes in.
Second, you inevitably will realize that you need a burglar security system, including smart cameras, access control, motion sensors, alarms, monitoring and etc. so check this link to get started, our team can come to your property and give you a free quote on site for a system tailored to your needs.