Everybody wants a safe and secure home. Without one, you will struggle to truly relax and instead spend your time worrying about whether somebody might try to break in while you’re sleeping or away on holiday.
Even if you feel like your home is secure, there may still be areas that you haven’t thought about. Ensure your home is protected from intruders by watching out for these six security risks.
1: A Vulnerable Wi-Fi Network
This first risk isn’t about physical intruders. Instead, it’s about hackers that could get hold of your online data via your Wi-Fi network. Unfortunately, hackers are becoming more and more efficient by the day, making online security crucial even for simple home networks.
To make your Wi-Fi network more secure, create strong passwords, secure your router, and use a firewall. The more security you have, the better.
2: An Unlocked Garage Door
You might lock your doors and windows each day, but what about your garage door? Too many homeowners leave their garage door unlocked, making it much easier for burglars to get into the house than it should be. Don’t just think about locking it, either – if your garage door is old, consider replacing it with a sturdier one. You can find steel garage doors that are as stylish as they are sturdy, giving your home that extra layer of security it needs.
3: Unlocked Doors
While it may be obvious, it is worth pointing out that locked doors are an easy route for intruders to enter your home. Even if you live in a friendly neighborhood, locking your doors (front and back) every night is essential for protecting your home, possessions and family. The same applies to windows, as intruders can enter a property through them, especially if they are at ground floor level.
4: Hidden Spare Keys
Many people like to hide a spare key just in case they forget or lose their own. Generally, that is not a good idea. Doing it once or twice for a friend might not pose much risk, but keeping a hidden key in your garden is not as safe as you might think. Experienced burglars know the places to look for keys, so no matter how well hidden yours is, you should avoid placing any key outside of the home.
5: Not Enough Lighting
Burglars tend to target houses that are darker than others. The reason is quite obvious – dark surroundings mean there is less chance that they will be seen. To avoid them targeting your home, surround your house with lights. If constant light outside irritates you, you could opt for automated lights. If someone targets your home, the sudden light will hopefully deter them.
6: Open Curtains
You might now know to close your doors and windows, but your curtains matter, too. This is because potential burglars often peek into homes to see if there is anything worth stealing. Avoid enticing criminals by keeping your curtains closed during the evening and nighttime.
