Home security is about best practices for keeping your belongings and your loved ones safe. Some of those best practices may include installing a smart home security system or a camera with instant notifications. But it’s also important to find ways to deter criminals before they try anything and avoid the worst home security mistakes, no matter what type of technology is used.
These mistakes can leave your home vulnerable or increase the likelihood that you will have problems with intruders or burglars. Check out our list and take note if you need to start changing any of your household habits. For more safety tips, try These safety tips for those who live in apartments and how prevent home security cameras from being hacked.
1. Do not close windows or doors
August smart lock can always remind you if you forget to close the door.
This may seem obvious, but one of the worst things you can do when it comes to keeping your home safe is to leave your windows or doors open. You might assume that a burglar or burglar will be willing to brute force their way into your home, but they often look for the least effort and least impact when breaking in because they don’t want to attract attention. . Nothing makes it easier than leaving the door open and letting them in.
One way to avoid this is to place a security camera outside the front door to create the feeling that someone is watching. Another option is to invest in a sensor system that can indicate if a door or window is open. Internet-connected locks can even let you lock the door from anywhere, and some systems will alert you when a lock has been left open so you can address it.
2. Hide keys in common places
Schlage allows you to use Home Keys and other digital passes.
It’s convenient to have a spare key outside in case you forget them or if one of your friends or family needs to get in. It is also convenient for other people who want to enter your home without permission. Placing a key in a common place can allow a burglar to enter your home without any interference, even when someone else is home, which means it can endanger anyone inside.
Instead of placing a key in a place where anyone searching can find it, consider more secure options. Place your key in a lockbox that requires an access code. Use a lock with a keypad that requires a PIN. Smart locks can also allow remote unlocking, so you can let someone into your home even when you’re not there. You can also create digital passes for other people to make management easier.
3. Not maintaining your technology
Home security systems and cameras are two of the best defenses against potential thieves.
Smart home technology has brought us security devices such as security cameras, smart locks and alarms. But the technology also introduces a number of potential points of failure for your security system, and some you may not consider if you assume the technology “just works.”
Consider how your smart home security devices work. Do they plug in for power or do they use a battery? Check your connected devices after any power outage to make sure they are working, and check battery-powered devices regularly to make sure they are working as expected. Also, be sure to keep your software up to date. Failure to do so may render your technology defective or inoperable and may leave you exposed to cybersecurity attacks.
4. Keep the garden dark at night
Reflectors can be a major deterrent and this Blink Outdoor base even allows you to add lights to existing combos.
A dark patio may seem private and keep light away from the windows, but it can also be an invitation to loiter. It makes it easier for intruders to look in your windows and see what things are inside your home. Lighting your garden at night is a better alternative for home security.
That’s why we have a comprehensive list of the best home security cameras with lights. These lights work with motion detection and object recognition, so they will only turn on if they see a person, saving your eyes during hours of darkness.
5. Let your bushes and trees go wild
Overgrown bushes and plants can block windows or make it easier for intruders to hide.
Shrubs, shrubs or trees look great, help with curb appeal and provide shade during hot days. But if you let them grow too tall or wild, they can get in the way of your smart cameras and even provide cover for intruders trying to break into your home. Keep an eye out for plants that do things like:
- Darkening your windows
- Block lines of sight for security cameras.
- Growing against walls or ceiling (this also poses a fire hazard)
If you notice these problems, it’s time to plan a pruning project or think about removing these obstructive plants and putting in newer landscaping instead.
6. Be casual with packaging
Kasa’s very affordable doorbell can keep an eye on packages.
A common way thieves look for potential theft opportunities is by looking at what people throw away. If they see a lot of boxes, especially large boxes for electronics, televisions, etc., they know a home has new, valuable items. Nip these signs in the bud by always cutting off large boxes when disposing of them. Avoid any obvious outward clues that you recently made a major purchase.
7. Talk about all the activity in your home on social networks.
Sharing on social media is fun, but avoid giving too many details about when you’re not home or what you just bought.
We understand the need to share fun news with friends, but one of the most common home safety mistakes we see now is people sharing too much on social media. You don’t always know who is looking at your posts, especially if you have a lot of followers with tenuous contact with your personal life. Those photos and posts about your new gaming console or your current trip to the beach could be an invitation to thieves or other people with bad intentions.
Mitigate your risks by screening any strangers among your followers and keeping travel plans off social media until you return home. Try not to brag too much about big new purchases, especially if you don’t know who will see them.
Since you’re already thinking about home security, read about using an old smartphone as a security camera and the Most effective places around the house to place security cameras.. Looking ahead to the July sales, learn how to deter porch pirates.
