10 Common Home Security Mistakes & How to Fix Them

For more than 75 years, we’ve helped homeowners avoid the biggest home security mistakes and create safer, smarter homes. In this guide, we’ll reveal the 10 most common mistakes that put your family and property at risk and share the expert tips our security pros give to their own friends and family to help you stay protected.

Home Security Mistake #1: “I don’t need professional monitoring. I can monitor my home security myself.”

If you already have a home security system, that’s fantastic! But if the responsibility of monitoring your system’s signals is 100% on you, then you’re basically taking on a full-time job.

If something happens and you’re not available — for example, you’re in the shower, asleep, on vacation, or in a meeting — who is going to jump in and help?

Chances are, you won’t be able to single-handedly watch for alerts, 24/7/365. That means something major could slip through the cracks.

Try this: Get 24/7 professional monitoring.

You already have job-house-kids-friends-errands on your plate. And there are dedicated experts who focus on security monitoring 24 hours a day.

So let the professionals take this one. You can just take it easy.

Home Security Mistake #2: “My home has ‘too much’ privacy.”

Everyone loves that house that’s set far back from the street, the one hidden under a canopy of trees. It looks so deliciously private!

But anything that obstructs the view of your house is risky. Overgrown bushes, shrubs, and trees can signal a good hiding spot for intruders.

Try this: Tame that gorgeous greenery.

Maintain clear visibility around your yard by keeping bushes and hedges trimmed to 3 feet or shorter. This makes it difficult for anyone to move around your yard without being noticed.

If you’re installing a fence, consider choosing a design that’s not completely solid (often called privacy fences). It sounds counterintuitive, but if the pickets are completely closed, you and your neighbors won’t be able to spot prowlers.

Home Security Mistake #3: “I don’t know my neighbors.”

About a quarter of U.S. adults claim that they know most of their neighbors, which shows that the vast majority do not know the people living next to them.

If you’re calling your neighbor “hey… guy” or “lady with the blue Honda,” it’s probably time to introduce yourself. And not just because it’s the classy move.

Try this: Get to know the people who share your community. These relationships not only improve overall personal well-being; they can also make neighborhoods safer.

More friendly, familiar faces equals more conversations, increasing the likelihood that neighbors will speak up if they see something out of the ordinary. Consider every new buddy another set of eyes looking out for your property.

If you don’t cross paths with your neighbors often, consider joining online neighborhood watch apps.

Home Security Mistake #4: “My house is safe in the daytime.”

Most people are pretty careful about locking up before leaving their homes at night. However, you might be a little more likely to leave doors or windows open in broad daylight. The problem? Research shows more than half of all U.S. burglaries take place during the day.

Try this: Be as vigilant during daylight hours as you are at night.

Beyond taking the usual precautions — keeping your doors and windows locked — the best way to manage the safety of your home during the day is with monitored home security.

Your system should include door and window motion sensors that alert you whenever they are opened, and remind you when someone forgets to close them.

Video doorbells are another great option.

This smart device enables you to see any door-knockers who visit when you’re not home. You can even answer the door for your kids when they are home alone.

Home Security Mistake #5: “I hide a spare key outside.”

We’ve talked about saying goodbye to that spare key many times. The one “hidden” under the entryway floor mat. Or under a potted plant on your porch. Or (gasp) in a fake rock on the front lawn.

If losing your keys is an everyday struggle for you, we feel your pain. But two things: First, there’s not much new under the sun in terms of creative and convenient places to hide spare keys. Burglars know the tricks.

Second, the cost of replacing your locks is nothing compared to the financial and emotional cost of a break-in.

Try this: Keyless smart locks.

Oh, how we love them. They give you full control over access to your home, from anywhere. You can give unique codes to guests, change them in a flash, and view all the activity from your smartphone.

Have a friend arriving at your house before you get home? That key you stashed for them is no longer necessary.

Because smart locks sync with our home security systems, you can get an alert when they arrive, and give them a temporary code to let themselves in while you go about your business.

If you choose to keep your home under the traditional lock and key, it’s not a crime to keep a spare. Just made sure any extras are hidden somewhere secure, like a lockbox.

Home Security Mistake #6: “I keep my house completely dark when no one is home.”

So your house looks dark and deserted when it’s empty — so what’s wrong with that? We’ve been hardwired by our parents to shut off the lights since we were old enough to reach a lightswitch.

But simply put, a house that appears abandoned can be very inviting to intruders.

Try this: Smart connected lighting.

Automated lighting can help give your home the appearance that someone is there without breaking the bank on electricity costs. Create schedules for when you want the lights to be on, right down to specific blocks of time on certain days of the week.

Or, you can set rules with triggers that tell your house when to light up. For example, when motion is detected near your front door, when your security alarm goes off, or when a certain door is open.

Home Security Mistake #7: “When I buy something expensive, I leave the packaging at the curb.”

Just bought a shiny new flat-screen TV? You’ll want that cardboard monster out of your living room as fast as possible, but be careful: Simply lugging that box to the curb tells anyone walking by that there is expensive merchandise inside.

Try this: Break the box down by carefully cutting it into sheets with a utility knife. Then arrange the pieces so that onlookers can’t tell what was in them.

For important purchases, make sure the manufacturer doesn’t require original packaging to accept returns or honor the warranty. If you plan on moving or selling your old device, consider hanging on to the box for easier transportation.

Home Security Mistake #8: “I post about all my plans on social media.”

It’s natural to think the only people following your activity on social media are friends and family. But a burglar may use information gleaned from sites like Facebook and Instagram to figure out when a house is going to be empty.

Try this: Be mindful about sharing personal information online.

First, review your privacy settings on all apps and social media accounts. Note whether your posts are public or limited to your connections and whether you have enabled GPS or “Location Services.”

Second, avoid sharing specifics about your daily schedule and your travel plans, and consider what the pictures you share reveal your whereabouts. Yes, your pals want to see your stunning vacation pics! No, they won’t mind waiting until you get home.

Home Security Mistake #9: “I have a security system, but it doesn’t monitor fire and CO.”

You made the smart choice to install a home security system — we love it! But if your security system isn’t monitoring for fire and deadly carbon monoxide, you’re only part way there.

Try this: Make sure the smart home security provider you choose also monitors your smoke and CO detectors.

Professionally monitored smoke detectors and CO detectors give you and your family an additional layer of security, offering protection at the times you need it most:

• If a fire starts while you’re on vacation
• If deadly CO is detected in your home
• If everyone is asleep when an alarm goes off

Home Security Mistake #10: “I’m sure a break-in will never happen to me.”

For many of us, it’s hard to imagine a break-in happening on our block, let alone at our house. But the numbers speak for themselves.

Public and private burglaries result in  $3.4 billion in property losses annually.

Try this: Help protect your world with professionally monitored smart home security.

Hopefully, you will never experience something as traumatic as a home invasion. But just in case, a security alarm system can be that extra layer of protection you need.

Take the First Step Toward a Safer Home Today

Have you spotted any of these common home security mistakes in your own routine? Don’t worry—now that you’re aware, you can start making simple changes today to protect your family and property.

Correcting these issues can be as easy as updating your habits or investing in professional monitoring. A professionally monitored smart home security system with home automation is the most effective way to help you avoid the biggest home security mistakes.

Ready to take the next step toward a safer home? Call us today at 1.800.PROTECT (1.800.776.8328), or fill out our quick form and one of our security experts will reach out to help you get started.