6 Common Home Security Mistakes That Put You at Risk

April 12, 2021 by Anas Mustafa

Most cases of theft are opportunistic and only succeed because of the simple mistakes people make, such as forgetting to roll up your car windows, leaving your phone on a park bench while attending to other matters or falling asleep on a bus. Similarly, having your home burgled is most likely the result of some home security mistakes made by you or your loved ones.

Burglars tend to choose the easiest target which gives you a lot of influence over whether you become a target or not. Home security services in Toronto can help you identify the best tools to improve the safety of your family and protect your possessions – but these tools are only effective if you use them properly.

Whether you have a home alarm system or not, avoiding these common home security mistakes will help reduce the risk of your home being burgled:

1. Hiding keys outside

A good number of people have a habit of leaving their keys outside somewhere near the doorway for their family or friends to access their home when they’re not there. While this is convenient, it’s also very risky. Potential burglars know that many people do this, so they often look around the entry door for places where you’re likely to hide the keys. This not only gives them access to your home but also exposes you to multiple cases of home intrusion if they duplicate the key.

Instead, consider getting a copy of the key for members of your family or scheduling your friends to arrive when there’s someone home. You may also consider installing a smart doorbell and keyless lock so you can monitor people at your front door and grant / deny them access remotely.

2. Leaving out mail and parcels

Burglars tend to strike when no one’s home. So an overflowing mailbox or parcels that are left on the doorstep for many hours or days is a clear invitation for low-risk burglary. Plus, keep in mind that some burglars can take the opportunity to steal your mail in order to obtain your personal information for identity theft and other, more serious crimes. If you plan on being away for a long time, consider asking a trusted neighbour, friend or relative to check and collect your mail during this period.

If you have a video doorbell that is configured to alert you when there’s someone at the front door, you can either instruct the delivery person in real-time to place the parcel in a concealed location via the two-way communication or ask your neighbour/friend to pick up the items for you as soon as they’re dropped off.

3. No visible security

Reports suggest that having home security helps to prevent burglaries, especially through deterrence. But this is only beneficial if the security is visible. Even if the cameras are not apparent, placing a label for your home security system is enough of a deterrent. In fact, many studies show that a lack of visible security is the biggest reason why burglars target a specific home because it seems more accessible. It’s a more important factor than leaving your valuables in the open or the lack of activity in your home.

There are many ways to make your home seem secure and ward off burglars, including installing motion sensor lights to draw attention to the burglars to spook them, securing doors and windows, installing an alarm system, installing surveillance cameras and/or video doorbell, and so on. Most of these solutions are affordable, and worth the investment for your peace of mind.

4. Compromising on your home security system

Shopping for the ideal security system for your home can be quite overwhelming, especially since you have to sort through so many different devices and technologies to find the right fit. Moreover, certain low-cost packages or individual security components may not necessarily meet your specific security needs, giving you a false sense of protection.

Keep in mind that security systems comprise multiple components that can be brought together for a custom-tailored security system that addresses your most pressing security needs while staying within your budget. This will allow you to get the right number and placement of security components such as sensors, cameras, alarms and so on for full protection. Moreover, you can subscribe to a remote monitoring service while keeping an eye on your home via an app on your smartphone.

5. Neglecting security system maintenance

A professionally installed home security system in Toronto can help to improve your security by deterring potential burglars while also allowing you to remotely monitor your home, children or workers via your smartphone. But to enjoy these and other benefits, you should consider ongoing maintenance to keep the equipment functioning in optimal condition for longer.

Annual checks by a professional can help to prevent most problems and ensure that your home security system will not fail you when you need it most, such as when you’re away from home. If you suspect that there are any problems with the system, you should ask a security technician for a quick diagnosis and repair to prevent false alarms that result in fines.

6. Forgetting to arm the security system

Even after installing an alarm system, many people often forget to turn it on when going to bed or leaving the house. As you and your loved ones get familiar with a new home security system, you can use different ways to remind yourself to arm/disarm the system, such as placing reminder notes at a strategic location by your entry door. With newer systems you can set up smartphone notifications to remind you to arm your system if you leave your property and forget to arm your system. You can then quickly arm the system remotely from your security system app on your smartphone.

Final Note

Avoiding these mistakes can enhance the effectiveness of your home security system in Toronto and prevent break-ins. Lastly, the only thing that’s supposed to be visible in your home is your security system, not your valuables. Exposing them can still tempt some crafty burglars. So keep your car in the garage, use thicker curtains and lock away your valuables.

To learn more about installing a home security system, call Canadian Security Professionals at +1 877-494-9911 or contact us here.

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