Top 12 home security mistakes (and how to fix them)

Regardless of if you live in an apartment, townhouse, or two-story house, home security should be taken seriously. Not only for yourself, but for your children, pets, and family. Far too often people make avoidable mistakes that compromise their home and their family's overall security. You may be making some of these mistakes too without realising it. 

Most people do not lock their doors immediately upon returning home – if you have groceries in hand or children to take care of, it can sometimes be the last thing on your mind. In every home, there is typically a time when the door is unlocked. It can be easy to forget, and sometimes intruders can take advantage of your busy schedule, especially if they know you pick up the kids at 3 pm and nobody is home. Nowadays, locked doors are simply not enough. 

We recommend investing in a lock that locks automatically upon closing, so you never forget! Even better, try a smart lock. This is why we love the Ultraloq U-Bolt Wi-Fi Smart Lock. It automatically locks your door as it closes, and unlocks when you arrive at your door with your smartphone in your pocket. So if you have your hands full of groceries or scrambling kids, you don’t need to ruffle through your pockets looking for a key.

It can only be unlocked with a code you and your family know, and gives you six different ways to open the door. Thanks to the fingerprint ID, you can see exactly who has entered and when. If you’re going away on holiday and are expecting somebody to come and water your plants or babysit your pets, you can also share an e-key or code with guests for a specified date or time. 

Smart locks are an excellent way to add an extra layer of security to your home.

Some people opt for simple static lights – however, solar motion sensor lights are not only better for deterring crooks, but they’ll also save you money on your electricity bill. While static lights constantly remain on, motion sensor lights only light up when there is movement detected. Many motion sensor lights utilise AI now too, which means they can typically tell the difference between animals, humans, and a tree swaying in the wind. Intruders do not want to be seen, so having a spotlight shone on them may make them think twice about trying to enter your home. Not only will they be seen by you, but the bright lights will also subject them to being seen by neighbours.

The JESLED solar motion lights are perfect for deterring suspicious visitors from your home. With a shocking 2100 lumens and a typical lifespan of 1000 hours, the JESLED is a great light to mount on your patio or in your front yard to prevent anyone from wandering where they shouldn’t be. 

Alternatively, consider investing in a motion sensor security camera.

Going on a holiday is exciting, and we know you want to tell every soul how much fun you’re having. However, not everyone uses this information equally. Posting on social media about your holiday signals to potential intruders that no one is guarding your home. You never know who could be watching, especially if your social media posts and profile are public. Even if you do have some aspect of privacy on your social media accounts, it's always better to err on the side of caution. 

Don’t be too trustworthy of your Facebook ‘friends’, and try not to post all about your beautiful island villa holiday until you're back. Mark any travel posts to private, and keep an eye on who has access to your posts and stories. Limit your audience and searchability, so you aren’t advertising to the world that your home is unattended. 

It could be worth having this conversation with your teenagers or children if you have any, to ensure they too, aren't posting about your empty home and remaining safe online. 

Burglars often look for signs that nobody is home before breaking in. Whether that be a car in the driveway, or checking to see if the tv or lights are on. The best way to give the illusion that you’re home when you’re not is by automating the lights or appliances in your home. Indoor lamps, TVs, or overhead lights are the first port of call and can be connected to automatic timer switches that plug into wall sockets. Automatic timers can also be set to a different schedule each week, so if you know you have to take the kids to karate on Tuesday and Thursday, you can automate the lights to be on during those days.

Alternatively, you can enlist the help of the Phillips Hue Smart Bulbs. They allow you to control or dim your lights via Bluetooth, The Smart Bulb works with Alexa, Apple HomeKit, and Google Home, and can be added to the Hue Bridge (which comes in a handy starter kit) to unlock more features, like remote control via Wi-Fi. The Smart Bulb is connected and controlled by your voice, for that added layer of security. 

While self-monitoring your security cam footage or live stream is easy and affordable, you are not going to be monitoring your home the entire time you are away from it. You might be at work in an important meeting when the alarm sounds, and can’t get to your phone right away. The easiest way to have 100% peace of mind is to enlist the help of a monitoring service. These services know exactly what to look for, and will promptly alert the authorities if they notice anything suspicious. 

While convenient, leaving a spare key underneath the welcome mate or under a garden gnome is extremely risky. Seasoned intruders know all the common hiding places (yes, even that fake rock), and hiding them right outside of your home is serving them entry to your home on a silver platter. Consider investing in a lock box or smart lock that can be controlled by a code known only by yourself and your family. If you need a spare key, try giving it to a trusted neighbour, or hiding it in a key safe or lock box that requires a code for access. 

We love the 5400D by Master Lock – it can fit up to five standard 2-inch house keys and fits most door knob styles. The combination you set can also be reset for your own personalised combination code options. 

It's easy to forget to lock every single door and window, especially if you live in a big home. 

Oftentimes, burglars are looking for the lowest effort, lowest impact way of entering your home, because they don't want to draw unnecessary attention to themselves. Leaving your doors or windows unlocked allows them to simply walk right in and take what they like. 

According to the ABS, 45% of attempted break-ins included damage to or tampering with doors or windows. They should typically be your first port of call when adding extra security. We suggest fitting them with extra security measures like a door sensor, that alerts you as soon as an entry through one of your doors or windows is detected. 

The HENDUN Security Sensor  is a great choice. Just add two AAA batteries and add it to any door or window you want to monitor. Any instance of forced entry will trigger a 105-decibel siren from the sensor, alarming potential intruders. 

Give thought to what can be seen inside your home. Do you have expensive jewellery on your nightstand that can be seen from the ground floor window? Do you have a luxe gaming room with the newest consoles? Be careful of those peering in and giving notice to your valuables. According to the ABS, of those that experienced a break-in, 65% reported stolen items, including valuables like jewellery, handbags and electronics.

We recommend moving valuables out of view – put them in a cupboard, a jewellery box, or a safe, just to be extra secure. While the location of appliances like TVs and consoles leaves little room to be changed, consider getting some blackout curtains or blinds and pull them closed on an evening so burglars can’t see what expensive goods you have lying around your home.

While it can be exciting to receive a brand-new console or television, avoid leaving the huge boxes out on the street for everyone to see. This signals to passers-by that you have enough money to afford a pricey new item for your home – and probably have other high-value items just like it. Instead, stuff them inside the recycling bin so they’re out of view, or break the pieces up with a utility knife. Your kids might also find fun in ripping up the box into tiny pieces! 

Many of our top security mistakes are relevant to homes with two or more stories – and this one is too. Wheelie bins and ladders left in plain sight of intruders can be used as climbing aids to your upstairs windows or over tall fences. This mistake also goes for ladders too. 

We recommend not leaving ladders and wheelie bins up against the fence or in plain view of passers-by.  This includes the backyard, front yard, or anywhere easily accessible. We recommend locking them in the garage if possible and not leaving them out on the street for too long. Bring them out on bin day, and return them to the garage as soon as you get the chance. Even if you have tall fences or intimidating shrubbery, leaving your bins or ladders in plain view allows burglars to take advantage of them and potentially gain access to your home or property.

While most intruders do appreciate the cover nighttime gives them, what they really love is an empty home. When everyone is at school or work, this is a prime opportunity for them to get what they want – an easy job with no one around. Keep your security cameras or alarm systems on whenever you are not around, even if you're just ducking down the shops for half an hour. This is enough time for an intruder to scour your home and steal your valuables.

We recommend making a mental note to lock all doors and windows, keep an eye on your security cam stream or footage, and invest in door and window sensors. That way you’ll be notified whenever somebody that's not a member of your family attempts to enter your home.

There are many quality security system packages to give you the peace of mind of a safe and secure home. Whether you’re busy in the office or just want to know your house is safe while you’re away on holiday, a home security system is an excellent way to do so. Many also have expandable or cloud storage, so if you experience a break-in, the footage can be taken straight to the authorities.

We love the Ring Spotlight Cam as an outdoor security camera. There are battery, hardwired, and solar options, and it comes with a built-in motion light, two-way audio, and a 110-decibel siren that will freeze potential intruders in their tracks.

Outdoor security cameras are an excellent way to keep an eye on who or what is lingering around your home. 

 While there are many high-cost security systems with all the bells and whistles you could imagine, there are also many ways to keep the cost of securing your home low. Check out our guide on securing your home on a budget. 

Have you been making any of these mistakes? Fear not, making mistakes is a part of life. Now you can take the appropriate measures to secure your home and keep your family safe.