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Whether you’re going to work, out for a walk, or planning to leave your home for a few days, home security experts recommend following 9 basic rules to protect your home. Forget about hiding your house keys under the rug or sharing your location on social media, retired Special Forces commander and co-founder of Survival Response LLC Gene Petrino told HuffPost.
1. Posting your current location on social media
SafeWise security expert Rebecca Edwards says it's safer to post photos from a vacation or event after you've returned home. She has seen numerous cases of thieves tracking people's locations on social media and breaking into their homes to rob them.
2. Forgetting to lock windows and doors and turn on the alarm
Before leaving home, it's a good idea to check everything in detail and make sure everything will be safe while you're away, and if thieves try to break into your home, your security system will alert you. In addition, experts recommend installing sensors on windows and doors that can be monitored via mobile apps.
3. Take the same route every time you leave the house
According to Petrino, following the same routine and route allows criminals to plan their burglary in detail to fit your schedule.
Therefore, you should change your routes regularly to prevent potential attackers from identifying your daily schedule.
4. Leaving tools or a ladder by the front door
The article says that if you leave work tools or a ladder on your property, burglars may steal them or use them to illegally enter your home. Before leaving home, you should carefully check and hide everything.
5. Don't forget to keep the lights on in the hallway during the day.
Quite often, thieves think that if the lights in the entrances or houses are off, then there is definitely no one at home, explains Rebecca Edwards. That's why she advises using smart gadgets. For example, if someone approaches the front door and rings the doorbell, the lights in the house turn on after five seconds.
6. Pick up your mail on time
Quite often, the accumulation of mail in mailboxes indicates that the house has been vacant and unattended for a long time.
“Even when you’re not home, arrange for someone to come and pick up any brochures or papers that may have been left at your door,” Edwards added.
7. Clean the house area
Security experts say if your driveway is covered in snow or the grass hasn't been mowed for a long time, it could be a sign that your home is vacant. Unattended properties are a prime target. If you've left home, hire someone to mow your lawn, water your flowers, or sweep your driveway.
8. Forget about hiding house keys under rugs and flower pots
Key hiding places in such places are well known to burglars and they will look there first. You should definitely take your house keys with you, and you can leave a spare one with friends or neighbors.
9. Leave your car parked in the same prominent spot
Rebecca Edwards advises asking friends, relatives or neighbors to use your car if it is parked on the street in front of the house so that potential intruders think that someone is coming to the house.
