Safety is best described as a habit. When you intuitively look both ways before crossing the street, or unconsciously buckle your seatbelt before driving, you are practicing the kind of repeatable behaviors that improve your safety. However, all too often our habits can lead to harmful results.
According to theapopkavoice.com, this can happen with your residence as well, where actions you don’t pay attention to can make your home a potential target for intruders (burglars, robbers, thieves). To protect yourself and your loved ones, it’s critical to understand what these behaviors may be. Here’s a guide to five common behaviors or actions that make your home vulnerable to theft.
Your Social Media Presence
As we are often reminded, social media is not always as confidential as we would like it to be. If you post pictures of your family vacation, it’s easy to know you’re not home. The danger of social media goes beyond what you post. This means that even in case you don’t mention your current location, your social media existence can reveal exactly where you are.
Furthermore, it’s not hard to think that you can protect yourself by changing your profile to private or giving access only to family and friends of friends. So regardless of who has access to your social networks, there is likely someone out there who will use that information to their advantage.
Poor Lighting
Proper lighting is one of the most important tips for home security. The purpose of using lights for security is to give the impression that someone is home. A lack of lights makes your home a target because it allows a burglar to operate in the dark. Without exterior lighting in a dark home, a burglar can enter, take what they need, and escape without anyone noticing. However, leaving the lights on all day and all night does not solve the problem. Exterior lighting that remains intact, whether on or off, also gives the impression that there is no one inside to flip the light switch. Interior lighting that stays on all night could be a sign that you are not home, as the vast majority of people do not sleep with the lights on. This usually means that the lights should be powered by a mix of motion sensors and smart home technologies that turn the lights off and on at random times during the day.
Improper Door and Window Locks
Burglars and robbers will always take the easiest approach to a break-in. They do this because they like to avoid loud noises and keep their escape plans simple. Although broken windows and smashed locks are often associated with theft, it’s unlocked doors and windows that give thieves the clearest access to their property.
A study of burglars found that they all knocked on their victim’s door before proceeding with the theft. If no one answered, it was easy enough to jiggle the window handles to gain entry. It provides a level of deterrence for your home that creates enough of a nuisance for the burglar to find another target.
Lack of Home Security System
Without a proper home security system, it is 99.5% that your house is vulnerable. Home security systems are excellent deterrents. They detect movement, check for broken glass and sound an alarm. Visible security cameras can help burglars know that their actions are being cataloged in case they are knowingly unseen. Along with smart home technology, a DIY security system can also add layers of security to your home. Additionally, this allows the place to notify you if something questionable happens and you’re not home.