Most burglaries these days happen one of two ways. A criminal will either scout a neighbourhood or be aware of certain ‘signals’ and act on impulse if they feel the reward is greater than the risk.
These ‘signals’ can be a number of things and the most common are easily avoided with a little knowledge, some common sense and awareness. Your Homes Security actually relies greatly upon simple rules and tasks that can take you only a few minutes to learn and a lifetime use. Here, we take a look at the most common mistakes homeowners make in and around their homes and what you can do to make sure you are not on that criminals “potential” list of homes.
94% of homeowners leaving windows open, it may seem like an obvious mistake and when its warm outside or your just looking to freshen up the living room when you walk to the shops, it may seem like a good idea but the average burglary takes only 10 minutes to commit, so that trip to the shop could very well cost you the contents of your home.
Over three quarters (78%) leaving valuables in easy view of passers by, if you live on a busy street it may seem near impossible to hide you television or large electronics out of view, but doing your best to keep them hidden could keep them safe. Try to arrange the room so larger, more expensive items are out of sight, even half close the curtains or tilt the blinds if you have them. Anything you can do to keep prying eyes from seeing what you have would increase your home security ten fold.
In a study, over half (54%) of people placed their status and whereabouts on social networking sites, it may seem innocent enough, but social media is being used more and more by criminals these days to track you, your family and your valuables without even leaving the computer. If your son or daughter ‘Checks in’ with you and your family when out for dinner, every one of her connections sees that she and you are not home. With the average number of facebook friends being over 250 (500 people for teens, in most cases much, much more) how sure can you be that anyone seeing this information would not jump at the chance to take advantage.
In a Survey, 52% of people make the common mistake of hiding keys by doorways, this is a topic we have previously talked about in length. the Hidden Door Keys, Fake Stones, and Potentinal Dangers of using either are described in length in our Home Security Blog and Squidoo Articles.
In a survery conducted using ex criminals and burglars, Half (50%) stated that parcel deliveries left out was a big draw to a home. Boxes left unattended show a disregard for your home security, as well as instant goodies inside the box! The package doesnt have to be valuable itself, but it symbolises the home owners ‘easy going’ nature enough to lead the criminal toward the front door. If you cant recieve a package right away, never have the delivery man leave it out front. The back door is safer, round the back of a garage or a safe area in the garden would be ok if the package is important but not valuable. For more idea, check out a previous post on hiding your valuables and other useful topics!
Always quick to respond to our maintenance calls to all our home all over Glasgow, by far the best home security company we have worked with!
Find out what's happening, right now, with the people and organizations you care about.
Amedar 05 Sep 2012
Our burglar alarm went off while on holiday, when reported WSS took care of everything. So glad to have them as our home security company