The Worst Home Security Advice Out There

home securityAl Feldman
There is more than one way to keep your home and everything valuable inside it safe. In fact, savvy homeowners likely rely on a combination of home security tactics to keep their home, belongings and family members safe. There is no “right” way to do it – but there are certainly some ways that aren’t going to cut it. Though people are well-meaning, there are some pieces of home security advice that are just bad. Here are a few of them, and what you should really do instead:

Living in a Good Neighborhood Keeps You Safe.

Sometimes there is no rhyme or reason to crime. Living in an area with a statistically lower crime rate does not lower your chance that someone will choose your home to target, whether you are there or not. According to the FBI, there are more than 8,000 home invasions every day, with 38 percent of all reported assaults occurring during these break-ins. Criminals are smart and can quickly figure out which homes are protected by security systems, and which homes are easy targets. Don’t be fooled into thinking that you or your home are safe because you are in a “nice” area. It’s important to take the extra steps to keep your home and yourself safe and avoid being part of these statistics. Posting a sign in your yard listing your security alarm company, or a sticker on a front window, can be a major deterrent for criminals.

Doors and Windows Can Stay Unlocked During the Day When You Are Home.

Unless you are watching every door and window at every moment during the day, you cannot control who comes in or out of them – unless they are locked. Why not take the extra second to lock the door, or secure your windows, just to be safe? It only takes a few seconds for someone unwanted to enter an unlocked home and put you and your family in danger.

Keep a Spare Key Outside Your Home, Hidden From View.

This is perhaps the worst piece of advice out there. What’s the point of locking up your home if you have a key that is easily accessible just outside? You may think that you have a clever hiding place but thieves have seen it all. There is also no way to control who is watching you when you take out or hide the key, and you could be unknowingly showing a criminal where to look the next time you are away. An alternative to this is to keep a spare key in your garage, accessible only to people who know the code, or to give one to a trusted neighbor.

Safes Aren’t Necessary.

If you lock your home, and implement a security system, you don’t need to have an additional safe, right? Wrong. For items like guns, jewelry and important documents, investing in a safe is just a smart move. It adds that extra layer of protection and also keeps valuables from being damaged. If you have children, owning a gun safe that remains locked is a necessity. There are just too many things that can go wrong if you don’t implement the responsible use of safes in your home. Don’t risk it. You spend a lot of money to make your home comfortable and exactly how you want it. Why not take a few additional steps to ensure it stays safe and secure? Installing a home security system, forming a neighborhood watch, and keeping your most important items in a safe are just a few of the ways you can protect your home and belongings. Don’t make yourself an easy target by believing the misguided security advice listed above. It is always better to be safe than sorry – especially when it comes to your home, possessions and family.
Tags: Home security