What Are the Most Common Security Mistakes?

Whether you’re trying to keep your home secure or are protecting the assets of a business, security matters. Unfortunately, when dealing with security, there are bound to be mistakes. Mistakes can lead to disaster and disaster is costly. What are some of the most common security mistakes and how do we avoid them?

Relying on Locks

Locks on your doors is, of course, very valuable. But too many people put high quality locks on low quality doors. When someone kicks a door in, it’s almost never the lock that breaks, it’s the door frame. Make sure you replace your door or frame if they start to crack or show signs of weakness.

Advertising

That’s right; advertising will lead to break-ins. Advertising your belongings, that is.

If you have expensive belongings, keep them away from windows where people can see them from a distance. Keep the curtains closed at night when people can see easily into a well-lit home.

What’s just as important is disposing of boxes discreetly if you buy something pricey. Getting a new flat screen TV? Cut the box into pieces that are small enough to hide in your recycling instead of leaving it out at the curb all night.

Providing Cover

If you want to keep burglars out of your house, first you have to keep them out of your yard. A yard with a lot of places to hide is a burglar’s dream. Keep hedges and trees pruned and keep your yard clean of large junk.

Objects and plants aren’t the only cover though. There’s also the cover of dark. Not having enough light around your house makes it much easier to break into. Buy some flood lights that cover, at least, the outdoor entrances to your home. If you want to save on electricity, get lights with motion sensors that will turn on if a burglar gets near.

Careless Vacations

Another big mistake is being careless when going on vacation. If you’re going to be going away for any period of time, avoid announcing it on social media until afterward. More than three quarters of home theft is committed by people who know the occupant. The people you’re informing of your two week excursion to the coast are the ones you need to be concerned with.

Announcements online aren’t the only thing people do by mistake. Make sure you plan ahead for when you leave. You’ll want to mask signs that the house is empty. Too often, people leave on holiday and don’t bother hiding that the house is vacant. An empty house is a prime target for a potential burglar.

Fake Security

Some people think it will do to set up fake security cameras outside their homes. The fact of the matter is: burglars can tell the difference. A fake camera won’t cut it when an experienced thief can tell it’s fake. Don’t rely on deception if you can afford real security. Nothing is more reliable at keeping out burglars than a real alarm system in Toronto or home security cameras.

Contact the professionals at Engineered Alarm Solutions to make a plan for your home security.