Ten Common Home Security Oversights

Think that the only way houses get broken into is when cunning, professional burglars get to work? Think again! Most of the time residential burglary involves amateur thieves taking advantage of a home owner's home security mistakes.
Avoid some of the most major blunders by avoiding these top ten oversights.
10.
Always lock up the home when you leave.
Many people think it's okay to leave the house just for a few minutes to run to the store, visit a friend or neighbor, or go out for a run, with the doors and windows unlocked.
Some might even leave the windows or doors wide open in the summer months, rather than close everything up just to run a quick errand.
It only takes 5 to 10 minutes for a lot of damage to be done, so play it safe and lock up every time! 9.
Change the locks when you move.
Consider this part of the moving cost.
When moving into a new house you'll want to know 100% that nobody else has a copy of the key and will be able to walk right in.
Think that might be paranoid? Consider how many people might have had a copy of the key to that house including not just the family but their friends, neighbors, babysitters, gardeners, the movers, the real estate agent, and various other strangers.
8.
Use key caution.
If your keys get lost, get the locks changed right away.
If a new household professional begins to work with you, thoroughly check their references before handing over a set of keys.
A little caution can save a lot of home security problems in the future.
7.
Poor exterior lighting.
No lighting outside the home is dangerous, especially when arriving after nightfall, and can lead to injuries through slips, trips or falls, or allow a criminal to hide in the shadows then overpower the unsuspecting homeowner.
6.
Providing cover.
Do your fences, shrubbery, trees or any other features of the exterior of your home provide cover where a burglar could hide, especially while actively trying to break in? Take the time to trim back and eliminate these hiding places.
5.
Relying on the dog.
While a dog can be a good deterrent it is not an exclusive home security system.
Animals can be bribed, poisoned, or worse, and should not be left to defend a home alone.
4.
Opening up to strangers.
If you don't know the person at the door personally, don't open it until the visitor's credentials are verified.
Install a peep hole and ask the person who they are, and where they were sent from.
Verify by phone, looking the number of their employer up for yourself, before opening the door.
3.
Spare keys are dangerous.
Having a spare key outside the home is a good idea to keep from getting locked out, but keeping it in the same old place as everyone else is like inviting burglars right inside.
Either leave the key with a neighbor, bury it somewhere away from the house, or come up with an equally creative alternative.
2.
Install deadbolts.
Simple locks like spring-latch locks are easy to pick and should only be used on external doors if there is a separate, secure deadbolt.
1.
Fix faulty alarms.
If your home alarm system goes off frequently, even when there's no emergency, it signals to not only your family but neighbors that there's nothing to worry about.
This means no help will come in a real emergency situation.
Instead of falling victim as the 'family that cried wolf' get the problem fixed right away and advise neighbors that the change has been made.