Don’t make your home an easy target for a break-in by making these common home security mistakes!
A home burglary can be a terrifying experience. It can destroy your sense of safety within your own home and make you feel violated. Worse still, if you are home during a robbery the lives of you and your family could be at great risk!
Unfortunately, with Perth’s ever increasing population, an ongoing drug epidemic and a tough economy home burglaries and invasions are a very real threat.
By avoiding these all too common home security mistakes you can reduce your chances that a burglar will choose your home in favour of an easier target.
1. Leaving a door or window unlocked
Seems obvious but many home break-ins occur because the homeowner has simply made it too easy for the burglar by forgetting to lock doors or windows. Often burglars are opportunistic and will go from house to house looking for quick and easy access.
2. Hiding a key outside
Especially under the front door mat! Any would be thief knows there’s a good chance a key may be hidden by the front door. So if you do need to leave a key outside make sure it is well concealed and not hidden in obvious places like under the mat, plant pots, rocks or ornaments. Better still give a spare key to a trusted neighbour.
3. Leaving a ladder or tools outside
Be careful not to leave a ladder outside where a burglar can use it to gain access to upstairs windows or your roof. Similarly do not leave tools that can be used to force entry into your home lying around within easy reach. Always make sure they are kept away inside a locked shed or garage.
4. Relying on a barking dog
It is common to see a ‘Beware of Dog’ sign on a garden fence or wall and although this may serve as a warning, today’s desperate thief is not deterred by the knowledge or barking of a dog on your property. If they want to gain access to your home they will find a way past them which may unfortunately result in injury to your pet.
5. Announcing you are not home on social media
All too common this day and age is to publicise your movements on social networking such as Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. Whether a status update stating exactly where you are going and when, or posts and photos showing that you are on holiday or currently away from your home for an extended time. You can never be completely sure who may have seen the information you provide on a social media platform.
6. Forgetting to turn on your Security System
If you have a working alarm, use it! Don’t get into the bad habit of forgetting (or not bothering) to arm it before you leave the house. If your home becomes the next target for thieves you will wish you had taken your security more seriously.
7. Putting valuables near a window
NEVER leave money, jewellery, laptops or other items of value within view and easy reach of windows. A burglar is usually looking for items that are easy to access and easy to carry so they can be in and out of your home as fast as possible.
8. Providing hiding places in your garden
Large plants and bushes, although they may look nice, offer a home burglar a place to hide on your property. This buys them time and possibly gives them the privacy to break-in through a concealed door or window.
9. Forgetting to stop the mail or have someone collect it
While you are away, a sure sign that your home is unoccupied is a build up of mail in the mailbox. Don’t forget to organise for a friend or family member to collect it for you regularly.
10. Leaving no lights on while you are away
Sometimes thieves will watch the houses in a street over a few days to work out which ones are easy targets for a home burglary. If your house remains in darkness for a number of days and nights it’s a sure sign that you are away. A good idea is to set up some timers for your lights/lamps to come on and off during the evening and give the illusion that someone is home.
11. Not having enough outdoor lighting
A house with many dark unlit places to hide is very appealing to a burglar. It gives them privacy during their break-in attempt and time to scope out your property unseen. Consider installing motion sensor outdoor lights around your property.
12. Poor quality or fake security
A fake alarm box or cameras might be effective at a first glance but after closer inspection an experienced thief will very likely be able to tell the difference. Installing cheap, low quality locks means doors and windows are able to be broken or forced open easily.
13. Don’t rely on just one type of security!
As much as all of these tips are great to remember and put into place, the BEST form of security is one that will STOP a thief from being able to gain access into your home!
Even if all doors and windows are well locked, the next most common entry point during a home burglary is through the smashed glass of an exposed window. This is often at the rear of the home where the intruder has more privacy. Sure an alarm system may then be triggered and even a monitoring company alerted. However thieves realise they still have a window of opportunity to grab easy to reach and carry items then flee the scene before anyone has responded to the alarm.
An OzShut Security Roller Shutter covers the entire window and completely prevents access to it while also having the flexibility to be opened to any level. They are made from strong aluminium and feature an automatic locking mechanism when fully closed. You might choose to begin by having OzShut Roller Shutters installed to the front windows of your home to deter a burglar on the lookout for an easy target or prioritise the bedrooms for night time peace of mind.
Learn more about all the practical uses of OzShut Roller Shutters on our Product Information page
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Let us show you in more detail how Roller Shutters will provide the most complete protection for your home and family during your free in-home measure and quote. Simply fill in the form below or call us today on 13 20 68 to arrange a suitable day and time.