You lock the doors. You installed a security camera. You think your neighborhood is safe. But here’s the uncomfortable truth: most homes that get burglarized also thought they were secure.
The problem? It’s not always about expensive security systems or guard dogs. Often, it’s the simple, preventable mistakes—habits you don’t even realize are risky—that leave your home vulnerable. Many burglars don’t break in through brute force—they walk in through carelessness, poor planning, or overlooked details.
Let’s take a closer look at the most common home security mistakes you’re probably making right now—and how to fix them before it’s too late.
1. Hiding a Spare Key Outside
It might feel clever to tuck a key under the mat or behind a fake rock, but burglars know every trick in the book. In fact, outdoor key hiding spots are often the first thing they check. If you need a backup key for emergencies, consider giving it to a trusted neighbor or using a secure lockbox with a code. Leaving a key outside your home is like leaving your car running with the doors unlocked. Eventually, someone will take advantage.
2. Forgetting to Lock Windows, Especially on the Second Floor
Everyone locks their front door. But what about that bathroom window you cracked for ventilation? Or the upstairs window you didn’t think anyone could reach? Burglars often use ladders, fences, or even climb onto trash bins to access second-story windows. Leaving any window unlocked, even slightly, makes their job easier. Regularly check all windows, and install window stops or locks that limit how far they can open.
3. Relying on One Exterior Light
Motion-activated floodlights are great, but only if they cover the full perimeter of your home. Many homeowners install one front-facing light and assume it’s enough. Meanwhile, dark corners, side yards, and back doors stay hidden in the shadows.
A well-lit exterior deters thieves who want to stay invisible. Take a walk around your home at night and see what’s actually illuminated. Add solar-powered lights along walkways, motion lights near entry points, and smart bulbs you can control remotely.
4. Broadcasting Travel Plans Online
It’s tempting to post beach selfies or “off to Europe!” captions in real time. But if your account isn’t private, you’ve just told strangers that your house is empty.
Burglars do monitor social media. Publicly announcing that you’re away, especially with geotags or departure dates, can make your home an easy target. Wait until you’re back to post photos, and avoid revealing travel schedules online. Even better, ask a neighbor to check your home or park in your driveway to create the illusion that someone’s there.
5. Skipping Alarm System Signage
You may have a great home security system, but if no one knows it’s there, it loses some of its power. Studies show that burglars are less likely to target homes with visible signs of alarm systems, cameras, or neighborhood watch participation.
Even if you don’t have a full system, putting up warning signs and dummy cameras can act as deterrents. But ideally, use signs to reinforce real protections, not just fake ones.
6. Leaving Valuables in Plain Sight
That brand-new TV or laptop? It might look sleek in front of the window, but it’s also advertising what’s inside your home. Burglars often peek through windows to assess if a break-in is worth it, and visible valuables make your home more attractive. Keep curtains drawn at night, and avoid leaving expensive electronics, jewelry, or even packages in plain view. If you have garage windows, consider frosting the glass or using blinds.
7. Ignoring the Garage Door
Your garage is a major entry point, but many people leave it unlocked, unsecured, or forget to close it entirely. Worse, garage door openers left in unlocked cars provide an instant key to the house.
Always lock the door between your garage and your home, and install a deadbolt if possible. Disable any emergency release mechanism if you’re away for a long time. And never leave the garage door opener in your car when it’s parked outside overnight.
8. Not Reinforcing Entry Doors
Most front doors only have a simple lock and standard screws, making them surprisingly easy to kick in. Reinforcing your doorframe, deadbolt, and hinges can make a huge difference.
Install a heavy-duty strike plate with long screws (3 inches or more) to anchor into the wall stud. Consider a video doorbell or smart lock to further increase protection. If your door has glass near the handle, use reinforced glass or install a double-cylinder deadbolt that requires a key from both sides.
9. Letting Landscaping Create Blind Spots
Tall shrubs and privacy fences might make your home feel more secluded, but they also give burglars cover. A well-maintained, open yard gives fewer places to hide and makes suspicious activity easier to spot.
Trim bushes near windows, keep trees away from second-story access points, and consider low thorny plants beneath windows to deter entry. Landscape with visibility in mind, not just aesthetics.
10. Assuming Your Neighborhood Is “Too Safe” for Crime
One of the most dangerous assumptions you can make is thinking crime won’t happen here. The truth is, burglars target neighborhoods that seem affluent and complacent. They prefer quiet streets, predictable patterns, and houses where security is taken for granted.
Whether you live in the suburbs, a gated community, or a small town, complacency is the real risk. Secure your home not because you expect trouble, but because you’ll be glad you did if it ever finds you.
Don’t Wait Until It’s Too Late
Most people only invest in serious home security after an incident—after something’s stolen, after a window’s shattered, after they can’t sleep at night. But it doesn’t have to be that way.
Security is about awareness and preparation, not paranoia. Fixing even a few of these mistakes can drastically reduce your risk and give you peace of mind. You don’t need a fortress. You just need to stop making it easy for someone to walk in and take what matters most.
Which of these mistakes have you been guilty of? What steps have you taken to secure your home?
Read More:
5 Best Home Security Cameras, According to Consumers
The Benefits of Investing in Home Computer Security
Riley Schnepf is an Arizona native with over nine years of writing experience. From personal finance to travel to digital marketing to pop culture, she’s written about everything under the sun. When she’s not writing, she’s spending her time outside, reading, or cuddling with her two corgis.
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