Keeping your home safe starts with awareness.
Many break-ins aren’t the result of elaborate plans, but rather simple oversights that unintentionally make your home an easy target.
Here are nine common mistakes that could be inviting burglars in without you even realizing it:
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Leaving doors or windows unlocked makes it easy for intruders to enter quickly without forcing entry, especially during the day or in low-traffic areas.
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Posting travel plans or vacations on social media signals that your home is unoccupied, giving burglars a perfect window of opportunity.
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Letting mail or packages pile up is a clear sign that no one is home, and burglars often look for these signs before targeting a property.
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Hiding spare keys in obvious places like under doormats, flower pots, or fake rocks makes it incredibly easy for thieves to find and use them.
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Lack of outdoor lighting around entrances or driveways provides cover for burglars to approach the house unseen, especially at night.
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Not using or advertising a security system makes your home appear more vulnerable, and even the presence of a visible camera or sign can act as a strong deterrent.
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Leaving ladders or tools outside gives burglars access to upper windows or the tools they need to break in more easily.
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Having overgrown shrubs or tall fences can give burglars a hidden place to work without being seen by neighbors or passersby.
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Forgetting to lock the garage can give burglars access to tools, bicycles, or even an unlocked interior door leading directly into your home.
