11 Common Weak Points In Home Security
Home security is as much about privacy, as it is about safety. Burglars often look for red flags that signal homeowners aren’t up-to-date on home security. What are some common weak points in home security that you may need to address?
Common weak points in home security like outdated burglar alarms and low yard visibility can be dangerous. Install motion-activated lights to keep burglars out of your yard, and cover your windows at night. Quickly retrieve packages from your porch to deter criminals and avoid hiding spare keys outside around your home, as they are easy to find.
It’s always worth hiring a house sitter when you go out of town, so burglars don’t think your home is vacant. Follow along as we highlight the 11 common weak points in home security to consider.
11 Weak Spots In Security At Home
1. Discreet Key
Many homeowners hide keys to their houses somewhere in their yard. Whether kept under a garden gnome or a potted plant, the key isn’t as well-hidden as you think. This is such a common practice that many burglars know to check such spots for keys.
Not only can they use the key to break into your home, but they can also copy it. There’s no telling how many copies they can make and how many people will have them. In many ways, hiding a key on your porch or yard is almost as bad as leaving the door unlocked.
2. Low Visibility
Privacy is a privilege, but having too much privacy in your yard can make you vulnerable to burglars. Tall fences, shrubs, trees, and hedges make it hard to see your house from the street. While this is great for privacy, it makes it easy for burglars to approach your home undetected.
Burglars may see your obstructed yard as a chance to rob your house without witnesses. That’s especially true if your yard is dark. Ideally, you should install motion-activated lights in your yard to boost visibility and keep burglars away.
It’s also a great idea to trim the hedges, trees, and shrubs around your house. It also helps to choose a fence that doesn’t entirely block the view of your home. Fences with slats won’t decrease visibility, and they may make burglars think twice before trying to rob your house.
3. Visible Possessions
Large windows that reveal your belongings are among the most common weak points in home security. Sadly, many burglars peer into windows to find houses that are worth robbing. For example, large windows that provide views of TVs and valuable art may entice burglars.
You don’t have to replace your windows, but it’s worth at least covering them. Draw your blinds and curtains as often as possible if you live in a high-traffic area. Otherwise, you may want to move some of your valuable possessions out of sight if break-ins are common where you live.
4. Outdated Security System
Security systems are like anything else in that they don’t last forever. The older your security system is, the less responsive and effective it becomes. Burglars may not know how old your security system is, but that doesn’t always matter.
For example, burglars don’t always care about alarms and may break into homes to quickly steal your belongings. However, old security systems aren’t as responsive, so someone may be able to easily break into your home without a quick police response. Burglar alarm systems typically break down after 10-15 years.
Keep track of how old your security system is so you can replace it before it becomes ineffective. It’s also important to routinely change the batteries as needed.
5. No Alarm
Having an outdated security system is dangerous, but not as bad as having no burglar alarm at all. Burglars often scout homes for days or even weeks before breaking into them. This lets them gather information to help them steal your belongings, such as whether you have a burglar alarm.
Upon discovering you don’t have an alarm, there isn’t much holding them back from breaking in. A home without a security alarm is at risk of burglary, and security systems are worthy investments. Recently, a study revealed that only 13% of burglars would carry on with a burglary upon hearing an alarm.
6. Packages In Plain Sight
The age of “porch pirates” is upon us, and package theft is all too common. Many people order items online and wait for deliveries to arrive. However, burglars may beat you to it and steal your package before you can even open it.
You can stop packages from getting stolen if you set up cameras and provide specific instructions for delivery. For example, you can request that the deliverer put your packages in a discreet location. Otherwise, you can specify that you want to sign for your package so it doesn’t get left on your porch.
It also helps to enable delivery notifications. That way, you can grab your packages right away before thieves have the chance to steal them.
7. Vacancy
Stumbling upon a house with nobody inside is a burglar’s dream. Several signs make it clear nobody is home, such as all the lights being turned off. Countless homeowners leave their homes vacant, whether it be for a vacation or a long work day.
It’s important to take steps to make it look like your home isn’t vacant when you’re gone. For example, you can turn a TV on if you plan to be gone for a few hours at night. You can also set some lighting systems to “vacation mode” to turn on for a few hours at night.
Avoid leaving lights on for days, however, as that is a fire hazard. It’s worth hiring a house sitter when you go on vacation to ensure your home doesn’t stand out to burglars.
8. Weak Locks
The locks that come with many doors aren’t the best, and they’re often easy to pick or break. Doors are the most common entry points for burglars, so poor locks are dangerous weak points in home security. Today, you can install smart locks that are hard to pick and improve safety at home.
You can install effective smart locks for $90 to $250, depending on the lock and whether you hire professional help. Some smart locks offer mobile control to lock and unlock your doors remotely. High-end biometric smart locks are much pricier, however, and installation costs can exceed $1,000.
9. Inviting Strangers Over
Inviting strangers over, no matter what the reason is, is dangerous. Today, people often sell items online via Facebook Marketplace and other online markets. Many people have customers pick up their belongings at their homes.
While not everyone has bad intentions, you’re still alerting strangers to your location. You risk the chance that they may come back another time to break into your home. Ideally, you should meet customers in public places when you sell your possessions.
10. Vulnerable Windows
While doors are the most common burglar entry points, windows are also common break-in points. That’s especially true if you have weak, thin windows, such as window panes. Window wells are also quite vulnerable, making them easy to break and climb through.
You can make your windows much safer if you install polycarbonate safety shields. Some homeowners also install laminate pieces on either side of their windows to fortify them. Otherwise, you can replace your windows with tempered glass and riot glass.
11. Unlocked Entry Points
The last thing you should ever do is leave your windows and doors unlocked. Not only does this threaten your privacy, but it’s a matter of security. It may seem like overkill, but you must always lock your doors and windows whether you’re home or not.
Otherwise, you may as well post a sign that says, “break into my house”. Unlocked doors and windows require no effort to get open. Always check your doors and windows when you enter your home and lock them before you go about your day.
The same can be said for an open garage door. It helps to burglar-proof your garage and hide expensive tools to keep criminals away. Never leave your garage door open unless you’re in there.
Summing It Up
Unlocked doors, windows, and garages are among the most common weak points in home security. Keep your expensive possessions away from the window to avoid enticing burglars to break into your home. Update your security system and boost visibility in your yard with motion-activated lights to improve home security.
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Nick Durante is a professional writer with a primary focus on home improvement. When he is not writing about home improvement or taking on projects around the house, he likes to read and create art. He is always looking towards the newest trends in home improvement.
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