Address home security sooner rather than later. Avoid these 11 mistakes that make your home a more appealing target.
11 Home Security Mistakes That Put You at Risk
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Too Much Privacy
Does your home security benefit from a privacy fence? Yes, says Marino: “The biggest security benefit of a privacy fence is keeping prying eyes off your property. If someone can’t see what’s in your yard, whether it’s tools, a grill, or even your family hanging out, it’s much less tempting for them to try anything.”
It’s the first layer of your home security system, but not the only one, and it can actually help intruders if it provides too much privacy. Doors remain the most common entry point for criminals, and a highly visible door makes their job more difficult. “The best design? Something tall enough to discourage climbing but not so “fortress-like” that it sticks out in your neighborhood,” advises Marino.
A reinforced door is a great home security tip, and replacing an exterior door is a very rewarding DIY project that can also add to your home’s curb appeal.
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Hiding Keys Outside
Many people hide a spare house key outside, somewhere in the yard. That’s great if someone is taking care of your home or if you accidentally lock yourself out. Unfortunately, most homeowners “hide” their key in obvious spots where a burglar will look immediately. Putting that key under the welcome mat is one of the most common home security mistakes!
The further from the house a key is hidden, the better. A disguised item, such as a fake rock, is only useful if hidden among similar items, like actual rocks. Don’t make it easy for a criminal!
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Bushes That Obscure Your Home
Much like a fence, your choices in landscaping can make your home more or less friendly to those with ill intentions. Bushes and trees up against the side of the home provide cover in the same way that a privacy fence might, and they can provide cover for intruders.
Not only that, but Laura Finson of Brinks Home advises: “When assessing the right angles and placement of security cameras, it is crucial to ensure each camera captures the desired field of view without obstructions, such as trees.”
Correct this mistake by maintaining low-height or thin-growing shrubs next to the home and keeping the taller, denser plants more distant.
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Installing Outdoor Static Lights
Many homeowners first respond to home security needs by installing outdoor lighting. They turn on the security lights at the end of the day, or maybe install a timer or light sensor so that the lights come on automatically at night. While those fixtures do light up your yard, they also create dense pockets of shadows that make great hiding spots, and that’s another of the home security mistakes you should avoid.
Motion sensor lighting and security cameras provide much better security. Motion sensors provide the element of surprise, and they save energy, leading to lower electric bills and longer-lasting light bulbs.
Cameras can identify intruders and provide legal recourse in the event a burglar is successful. Brian Townsend, who has worked in law enforcement, says, “I have used a camera that blends into some outdoor décor, making it difficult to see but perfect for capturing vehicles entering and exiting the property.”
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Visible Valuables
Besides measures outside your home, consider what can be seen inside it. Many homeowners forget that windows create a two-way portal: Just as you can see out of them, a potential intruder can see in.
If you have especially valuable items, consider whether they can be seen from a ground-floor window, such as first-floor bedrooms, where jewelry or other valuable items may reside on dressers. Some large items like televisions present difficult home-security positioning issues. In that case, pull the shades or shut the blinds each evening. Similarly, give a little thought to putting away valuables by either tucking them out of sight or in a dedicated secret hideaway.
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Packaging Left by the Curb
Many neighborhoods employ curbside trash and recycling collection. However, leaving packaging from an expensive item such as a television or laptop by the curb is one more of the most common home security mistakes, because it broadcasts the presence of an expensive new item in the home.
Use a utility knife to cut the packaging into smaller pieces and stack them in a way that doesn’t alert intruders to their previous contents.
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Alarm System Line of Sight
Alarm systems are wonderful tools, but sometimes crews install the control pad where it can be seen from a first-floor window. That allows potential thieves to peer in and see whether the system is activated. That alarm company yard sign won’t mean much if they know the system is off.
As an alternative, Marine suggests pairing a home assistant like Amazon Echo. “It can be a handy tool for home security, especially with features like Alexa Guard. It listens for unusual sounds like breaking glass or alarms and can send alerts to your phone. Pair it with something like inexpensive door sensors, smart locks, or even a few budget-friendly indoor cameras, and you’ve got yourself some pretty solid DIY security.’’
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Social Media Travel Posts
Social media is a fantastic tool for staying in touch with friends and sharing travel experiences and photos after your trip is over.
Remember that social media channels are built as public platforms, like talking to a crowd with a megaphone. Don’t share travel plans unless you’re comfortable with the entire social media community knowing. Because social media accounts default to a public setting, criminals easily search for keywords like trip, travel, vacation and out-of-town to identify homes with their occupants away.
To avoid tipping off burglars, wait until after you come home to share information about your trip! If you do need to let people know about your trip, ensure that you mark the posts as “private” on that social media platform. By limiting its audience and searchability, you can make sharing your schedule much more secure.
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Mail Pileups
Few things advertise an absent homeowner like piled-up mail and newspapers. Criminals don’t even need to slow down their vehicle to spot an overflowing mailbox or newspapers scattered on a porch.
To avoid this, contact your local post office and/or newspaper to suspend service while away. Because these services sometimes miss a day or take a little bit of time to cease delivery, it’s also a good idea to ask a friend or neighbor to swing by and collect any mail or newspapers that accumulate.
A little activity around the front of the home also helps to make it look occupied. It’s also a good idea to protect your mail with a security mailbox.
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Ladder Access
You may have noticed most of these tips have addressed first-floor issues — burglars looking to remain out of sight and move quickly won’t often bring a ladder with them on a break-in. However, some homeowners make it easy on the bad guys by providing simple access to their second floor.
Don’t leave ladders lying around the yard (or hanging on the back of the garage) where prowlers can access them. Most burglars act on opportunity, and won’t consider a second-floor entry unless you make it easy for them by leaving a ladder on hand. Instead, store your ladder safely away.
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Don’t Sleep on Daytime Risk
Most people associate break-ins with the nighttime. While burglars do appreciate the cover of darkness, what they really appreciate is an empty house. At night, people usually hang around home. Instead, burglars find homes more inviting when everyone is at school and work!
Since most break-ins occur during the day, take the appropriate measures. Turn on your alarm system when you’re gone, keep an eye out for suspicious activity and make sure you close and lock all doors and windows. This applies when you go to work, school or just out to run errands. Use factory-installed window and door locks, or use one of these simple DIY window locks to keep your home safe.
About the Experts
- James Marino is the General Manager at Pinnacle Home Improvements.
- Laura Finson is the Director of Product and Strategy at Brinks Home.
- Brian Townsend is a retired Supervisory Special Agent and former Resident Agent in Charge with the US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). He is the founder and principal of Eagle 6 Training.
