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The 4 Biggest Mistakes People Make With Their Home Security

The 4 Biggest Mistakes People Make With Their Home Security

The 4 Biggest Mistakes People Make With Their Home SecurityThe 4 Biggest Mistakes People Make With Their Home Security

We all want our home to be safe from threats, taking the time to enhance home security to prevent unwanted attention from opportunistic criminals. Yet many people don’t quite realize how clever burglars are, with many seizing the initiative to break in because we’ve made mistakes with our home security.

Many of these are seemingly harmless mistakes, with homeowners not always recognizing that they’ve created their own security risk. But with a bit of awareness and good preparation, you can avoid these mistakes and have peace of mind that your home is safe and secure.

Here are the 4 biggest mistakes that people make with their home security:

Leave a Key Outside

Leaving a spare key outside may feel convenient but it is asking for someone to break in to your property. Burglars know all about this common home security mistake and will always check under doormats and plant pots for that hidden spare key.

The last thing you ever want is to give a burglar the keys to your front door – which is exactly what might happen if you keep leaving spares outside!

Unlocked Doors and Windows

In a perfect world we would be able to leave our windows and doors unlocked without ever worrying – that sadly isn’t the world we live in.

Windows and doors are some of the first areas where a burglar will check when breaking into a property. This is the perfect target for a would-be intruder, giving them quick and easy access to your property without any forced entry.

Always lock your doors when you leave the house and be sure to lock them before you go to bed – you may just want to keep them locked 24/7 just to be on the safe side!

Also, avoid leaving your windows open when you leave the house, even if it’s on the top floor.

Bushes and Trees Too Close to the Property

While bushes and trees are a wonderful addition to your landscaping, they also pose a potential security threat, and one that most are unaware of.

For example, if you have large bushes very close to your house it offers the perfect coverage for someone trying to break in. Thick bushes are ideal for hiding when breaking into a property, so be sure to cut back or even remove those massive shrubs and bushes.

Furthermore, trees pose a unique security threat when too close to your home. Burglars often climb trees to break into a house via an open window, so always cut back any branches that are close to your house.

No Obvious Signs of Security

Burglars love an easy target and one of the quickest ways to identify this is when there are no obvious signs of home security systems. For instance, having security alarms clearly displayed at the front of the house is one of the best deterrents against a break-in.

Don’t hide any cameras, clearly advertise your home security system if possible, and make sure there are obvious signs of security near windows – burglars will peer through looking for alarms, cameras and heavy-duty locks to see how easy a break-in might be.

If you have a home in The Coachella Valley and are concerned about the overall security of your property, see our page for special offers on a new alarm system, then contact the professional alarm consultants at Command One Security! We are eager to discuss with you the most effective and economical options we have available for home security today. Call us today at (760) 568-0052!

Never Hide Your House Keys in These 6 Spots

Never Hide Your House Keys in These 6 Spots

Never Hide Your House Keys in These 6 Spots Never Hide Your House Keys in These 6 Spots

There are many instances where people want to hide a house key outside. It’s often a spare key that is only used for emergencies, such as losing your keys and being locked out, while others like to leave their key around because they don’t want to carry it around, such as going for a quick jog around the block.

While there are valid reasons for hiding house keys around your property, it’s important to understand the risk of doing so. Yes, you can hide it well but there are certain spots that aren’t as good as you might think!

Here are 6 spots where you should never hide your house key:

Under the Doormat

The classic hiding spot, and possibly one of the worst, never hide your house keys under the doormat! The reason is quite simple – anyone that’s an intruder with a shred of intelligence will check this spot first.

Around one third of burglars use the front door to access the property, many of which have found a spare key lying under the doormat and used it for easy access. Never make the mistake of hiding any key under the doormat!

Under Pots or Rocks

While not as obvious as a doormat, placing a key under a plant pot on your porch or a nearby rock is also a dreadful idea. Basically, any large object located near the door will likely be checked when someone is trying to find a spare key to break in, so that means plant pots and other décor should be avoided at all costs.

Under Trash Bins

As you might noticed there is a trend where hiding keys under objects outside your house is a bad idea, and trash bins are another example of this. While the larger size of some trash bins may make them appear as a decent hiding spot, they are anything but this.

Trash bins are easily moved and will be every few weeks when they get emptied. This will leave your key exposed or may have even been dragged beneath the bin as they are emptied and get lost. Don’t make the mistake of hiding your keys under any of your trash bins.

Inside a Fake Rock

Despite being marketed as an innovated home security product fake rocks are a terrible place to hide a spare key. The reason its such an unwise place to hide your keys is because almost every burglar knows about these fake rocks and can spot them from a mile away.

On Your Car

Cars can offer a nice hiding spot for a key, especially if using a magnetic lockbox. The sad truth is that burglars tend to check around your car wheels, so even using a lockbox to store the keys isn’t recommended.

Inside the Mailbox

Sometimes people stash their key in their mailbox when running a quick errand. While the temporary spot may seem harmless, mailboxes aren’t the most secure and you may find the key is accidently lifted by the mailman.

If you have a home in The Coachella Valley and are concerned about the overall security of your property, see our page for special offers on a new alarm system, then contact the professional alarm consultants at Command One Security! We are eager to discuss with you the most effective and economical options we have available for home security today. Call us today at (760) 568-0052!

Beware of These Deceptive Home Invasion Tactics

Beware of These 3 Deceptive Home Invasion Tactics

Beware of These 3 Deceptive Home Invasion Tactics

Beware of These Deceptive Home Invasion TacticsHome invasions are on the rise and because of them, home security is a topic of concern for all homeowners and families. Criminals are becoming increasingly brazen and coming up with new tactics to deceive and trick their victims. When it comes to home security, most people are complacent. This is not good because it ultimately leads to disaster. Staying well aware of the tactics used by the home invaders is the key that will help you take the necessary protective measures to protect your family and your home.

Following are the 3 deceptive and most common home invasion tactics you should be aware of:

1. Litter Left in Front of Your House
If you see any kind of litter in front of your house, then it is highly recommended that you dispose of it. This is because criminals scouting the neighborhood leave trash indicators on properties. Things such as bags, lids, cans, etc. in front of your house could have been intentionally left by a criminal scout in order to let another criminal know that your property has been marked to have something worth stealing. This makes your home a target for a break-in.

2. Using Your Pets to Case Your Home
Criminals look for your pets, for example dogs that are left outside as this is a clear indicator that there are going to be no dogs inside, hence making it easier for the criminals to break in. To get rid of the obvious threat (the dog outside of your home), a criminal will feed the dog with meat that has been poisoned in order to kill it or make it very ill.

Criminals also look for homes where cats are present. This is because most people who have cats tend to leave their windows open and even disable their alarms so that their beloved pets can move about freely.

3. Ad Flyers and Business Cards
Never take business cards or flyers from a stranger who approaches you at your house or anywhere else. Criminals have been known to lace authentic-looking business cards or flyers with chloroform or other such substance. If that substance is absorbed by your skin, you can pass out, making you an easy target for the criminal to rob you of your valuables, money, and house keys. The keys will then give the criminal access to your house and your valuables inside.

Final Word
When it comes to home invasion, prevention is always your best bet. Being aware of the common tactics used by criminals to invade the home can help you take better protective measures and ensure the safety of your home and your family.

If you have a home in The Coachella Valley and are concerned about the overall security of your property, see our page for special offers on a new alarm system, then contact the professional alarm consultants at Command One Security! We are eager to discuss with you the most effective and economical options we have available for home security today. Call us today at (760) 568-0052!

Things to Not Do if You Come Home to a Burglary in Progress

3 Things to Not Do if You Come Home to a Burglary in Progress

3 Things to Not Do if You Come Home to a Burglary in Progress

Things to Not Do if You Come Home to a Burglary in ProgressMost home burglaries occur when nobody is home because it significantly reduces the chances of being caught mid-robbery. Burglars don’t want any unnecessary attention drawn to them during a break-in as an empty house is prime picking for loot, which is why most will wait until homeowners are out before breaking into their home.

Unfortunately for some people, they happen to come home during a burglary in progress, which is a terrifying situation nobody wishes to find themselves in. Yet if you come home during a burglary, you’ll need to act fast to ensure the protection of yourself and your family.

It’s easy to get caught up in the panic and chaos of a home robbery yet there are some things you need to avoid doing to reduce the risk of being attacked. Here are 3 things to no do if you come home to a burglary in progress:

Enter the House (If Possible)
If you come home and find obvious signs of a break-in don’t make the mistake of charging into your house. Many burglars leave few signs of their entry position to ensure they don’t get caught, which is why many people already enter their home before realizing there is a problem, so if you have an obvious warning sign take advantage of it.

For example, if your front door shows signs of forced entry, such as a broken lock or damaged hinges, then make sure to avoid entering and call the police immediately. Similarly, avoid entering if there is a broken or unopened window, even if to quickly look for signs of intrusion before deciding to call the cops.

Look for the Burglar
Should you not realize there is a burglary occurring when you enter the house and then discover something is wrong, don’t make the mistake of looking for the burglar to confront them or chase them off. Yes, you want to defend your home, possessions and family, yet the risk is never worth taking.

When looking for a burglar you stand the chance of getting into a physical altercation. You don’t know what the robber is capable of and whether they have a weapon, so never try to find them in the middle of a burglary.

Instead, quietly walk back outside or hide yourself in a secure location and contact the police, providing you have your phone on you. If not, wait quietly and for them to eventually leave – no burglar will stay around for too long.

Attempt to Fight the Burglar
If you walk into your home and catch a burglar in the act, the temptation to charge at the person is understandably high, especially if your family are around. In most cases, a burglary is a non-violent crime (its why most burglars wait for you to leave before breaking in) so you likely won’t need to get into a fight unless it is a last resort.

Your home security systems should act fast and you may have already called the police if you could tell a break-in was happening, so there is no need to fight the intruder – wait for the police to handle the individual.

Of course, some situations arise that are unavailable and you may find yourself fighting for your life, but if you can avoid a physical altercation then do so. If the burglar gives you instructions, simply follow them and don’t make sudden or rash movements – none of the possessions they are stealing are ever worth risking your life over.

If you have a home in The Coachella Valley and are concerned about the overall security of your property, see our page for special offers on a new alarm system, then contact the professional alarm consultants at Command One Security! We are eager to discuss with you the most effective and economical options we have available for home security today. Call us today at (760) 568-0052!

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