What Are The Most Common Home Security Mistakes?

With a burglary taking place every 40 seconds in the UK* home security is essential. One of the easiest ways of preventing it from happening to you is staying one step ahead of burglars with a home alarm and CCTV cameras, but there are other ways to protect your property.

In this complete guide, we’ll explain the most common home security mistakes that homeowners make when it comes to protecting their homes against intruders, and we’ll provide you with top tips on how to burglar-proof your property and keep your loved ones safe.

Home Burglaries & Organised Crime

Gone are the days when a cat burglar would sneak into your house at night to steal your TV or jewellery; home robberies have become more sophisticated. Burglars are no longer petty thieves or opportunists, but members of organised crime gangs who use online services and social media platforms to find targets and sell stolen goods.

Some burglars will even steal our prized possessions to order, so we must make our homes less appealing to them and be more cautious about what we post online. Here are the top 10 common security mistakes that homeowners typically make, and what you can do to avoid them:

1. Leaving Windows Open

We’re all guilty of this, especially during the summer months, but leaving windows open even the slightest bit gives burglars an easy way into your home. Consider installing window locks if you don’t have them already, and make it a habit to check that all windows are closed and locked before you leave home.

2. Leaving Doors Unlocked

This one may sound obvious, but leaving a door unlocked is one of the most common security mistakes that homeowners make in the UK. If you are working on your front garden, and your back door is unlocked, a burglar can walk in and out without you even noticing, and you’ll be surprised a just how quickly someone can rob your home if they know what they are looking for inside. Always turn the key and make sure your doors are locked, even if you pop out for a second.

3. Leaving Keys In Plain Sight

Experienced housebreakers will spot your keys from a distance if you keep them near your front door, and it’s like giving them an open invitation. But it’s not just your house keys that you have to worry about, car key hacking is big business in the UK, and if you leave your electronic car key anywhere near a door or window, thieves can steal your car in seconds. They use a relay box to ‘trick’ your vehicle into thinking the key is nearby and unlocking the doors, so keep all keys hidden safely inside a drawer – well inside your house.

4. Hiding Keys Outside

You’ll be surprised at just how many people still do this, but leaving keys hidden outside under plant pots, on top of door frames, and taped inside post boxes is putting your home at risk. If you need to leave a spare key for other family members, leave it with a trusted neighbour, otherwise, a burglar could walk straight in.

5. Hiding Home Security Systems

If you have installed a home alarm or CCTV system, don’t try to hide it. The more visible it is, the more likely burglars are to avoid your home, so make sure it stands out. If you have a fenced garden, consider putting up warning signs to make would-be thieves aware that your home is protected and they are more likely to get caught.

6. Leaving Curtains Open In The Evening

While most burglaries happen during the day, organised criminals will often carry out surveillance at night, and if they can see into your home, you are putting yourself at risk. Make sure you close your curtains in the evening so that they cannot see inside your home and any valuables that you may have lying around.

7. Turning Off The Lights

A burglar is 50 per cent more likely to target your home if they think that there is no one home, so turning off all the lights when you go out for the evening is not the best idea. Leaving a hall light or table lamp on could make a big difference to your home security.

8. Leaving The Lights On

While turning all the lights off when you go out at night is a bad idea, leaving them on when you go on holiday is a bad idea too. Housebreakers lookout for things like this, so put your lights on a timer when you go away to make your house look occupied. Timers are inexpensive to install and, they could considerably reduce the risk of a break-in when you leave your home unattended.

9. Leaving Parcels Outside

Most of us shop online these days, and while it is convenient, it can expose us to theft in many different ways. If you are not going to be home to accept a delivery, have it delivered to your workplace or someone you trust. Parcels outside the front door are a sure sign that there is no one home, and burglars are likely to steal both your possessions and your package.

10. Sharing Your Holiday Plans & New Purchases Online

Technology is an essential part of daily life, but it can be our downfall when it comes to home break-ins. It can be tempting to show pictures of your new car, phone, designer handbag or watch on Facebook, but are you 100% sure that your account is secure? If not, you could be putting yourself at risk. Likewise, if you share holiday photos on Instagram while you are away, you are lettings thieves know that you are not home. The internet provides an endless source of information for organised criminals, so be extra vigilant about what you share online and, perhaps most importantly of all, who you share it with.