Nothing can ruin a holiday like finding out your home was robbed when you return. Sadly, it’s a real possibility that you need to avoid.
We don’t mean to be downers but make sure you take necessary precautions. This way, you can soak up the sun without worrying about your home.
To keep burglars away while you’re on a holiday, avoid these three home security mistakes:
1. Announcing Your Holiday
We understand that you’re excited to go on vacation but be careful when talking about it. Social media has become an ingrained part of our life but remember that burglars use it too.
If you post about when you’re going on vacation, just about anyone can find out. If a thief knows about your plans, they could rob your home. You won’t be there to stop them.
We doubt you personally know all your Facebook friends so be careful what you share.
The same goes with notices on your door or fence. If you’re expecting someone to swing by, tell them that you won’t be home in person before departing. A note on your door is like an invitation for burglars.
If you want to talk about your holiday, do it after you come back. Doing it before is one of the biggest home security mistakes.
2. Putting All Your Faith in a Locked Door
You can classify burglars into two categories: Impulse thieves and “professionals”.
The first category will simply see your house and decide to break in. They don’t plan ahead; they just do it. They could pick the lock, climb through a window or just break down the door – whichever seems easier.
The second category will stake out the place before entering and devise a plan. When they make their move, they’ll know where to go and what to do. Professionals are more dangerous than impulse thieves.
[Image Credits: Jason]
Either way, a simple lock won’t stop them. If you’ve got CCTV cameras or alarms, though, everything changes. The moment an impulse thief sees a camera or hears an alarm, they’ll run. They’ll realise the mistake they’ve made and try to get away.
The professional burglar will see your security system and just give up. They know they have a slim chance of getting away so they move on.
Whichever way you look at the situation, a security system enhances your safety. With smart technology, you can even monitor the house through your smartphone.
3. Hiding a Spare Key
People usually leave hidden keys behind while they’re away because of two reasons. The first one is because the key was always there. The second reason is to have it there in case of an emergency. Let’s tackle both ideas and see why they’re home security mistakes.
We get that people sometimes lose their keys, but a hidden spare is a huge risk. If someone sees you using that key and putting it back, they can enter the house whenever they want.
Event if the key is a well-guarded secret, a burglar will check for hidden keys. Once a stranger has your key, stealing your belongings becomes a breeze. Find a better alternative.
The second reason is even worse. If you’re afraid a pipe will burst, give the key to a trusted friend. You’d need their help if something goes wrong either way, so it’s better to be prepared.
Hidden keys are never a good idea. If you’re out of town, the risk is even greater.
Why People Keep Making These Home Security Mistakes
The problem is that many think that bad things, like a robbery, won’t happen to them. After it happens, though, they change their tune. The best policy is to always be careful. Like the saying goes: “Better safe than sorry”.
We hope you learned a thing or two about home security. If you’ve got carefree friends, don’t forget to show this article to them too.
If you’re in need of any home security tips or advice, we’ll gladly help you. Get in touch with us on Facebook, Twitter or right here on our website.
